FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2026
Media Contact
Quanda Pace:
Chair, Press & Publicy
NAACP Okaloosa County Branch
Ph: 850-783-0047
Email: ocnaacp@gmail.com
NAACP, Okaloosa County Calls for Immediate Action to Address Environmental Injustice in Sylvania Heights
Fort Walton Beach, FL – The NAACP, Okaloosa County Branch is calling for urgent, coordinated action from local and state officials to address the long-standing environmental and infrastructure failures surrounding Gap Creek, which continue to endanger the predominantly Black community of Sylvania Heights in Fort Walton Beach.
For decades, residents have endured chronic flooding, drainage failures, erosion, and unsafe living conditions resulting from inadequate maintenance and underinvestment in the Gap Creek corridor. These conditions have caused repeated property damage, health concerns, and displacement — impacts that would not be tolerated in more affluent or politically connected neighborhoods.
“Environmental justice is a civil rights issue,” said Sabu Williams, President of the Branch. “The families of Sylvania Heights have been forced to live with preventable flooding and infrastructure neglect for far too long. This is a systemic failure, and it demands immediate corrective action.”
Residents have reported:
- Flooded homes and yards after routine rainfall
- Erosion that threatens property foundations and public safety
- Standing water that increases health risks and mosquito-borne disease exposure • Blocked access to homes during severe weather
- Emotional and financial strain from repeated losses
Williams further explains, “These issues have a greater impact on Black families and those with low incomes, highlighting ongoing inequities in resource distribution and delays in government action. The NAACP urges Okaloosa County, the City of Fort Walton Beach, the Northwest Florida Water Management District, and all relevant agencies to take the following actions:
- Commission a full, independent environmental and engineering assessment of Gap Creek and surrounding drainage systems.
- Implement immediate mitigation measures, including clearing blockages, stabilizing creek banks, and repairing drainage infrastructure
- Develop and fund a long-term infrastructure improvement plan with transparent timelines and public reporting
- Ensure equitable distribution of public resources, prioritizing historically underserved communities such as Sylvania Heights
- Establish a community oversight process that includes residents in decision-making and accountability”
“Residents are entitled to transparency, investment, and respect,” stated Williams. “Our advocacy will persist until effective and lasting solutions are established. Sylvania Heights requires timely action. While we appreciate the contributions of those who have supported progress thus far, it remains essential to advance efforts toward environmental justice in this important and historically underserved community.”
The Okaloosa County NAACP commits to:
- Hosting community listening sessions
- Engaging state and federal partners for oversight and funding
- Mobilizing residents and allies to demand accountability
- Monitoring government actions and reporting progress publicly
For further details, see: Gap Creek Report, Okaloosa County Branch, NAACP, January 15, 2026.
The NAACP is recognized as the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. For over 76 years, the Okaloosa County Branch has led civil rights initiatives within the region. The branch is dedicated to promoting political, educational, social, and economic equality for all residents, with an emphasis on eradicating racial discrimination and advancing justice.
Proposal to Hold a Community Roundtable on Gap Creek Remediation