Saturday Storms Cause Flooding, House Fire And Road Closures (With Photo Gallery)

March 29, 2009

Up to 15 inches of rain across the Molino area led to major flooding early Saturday morning, causing problems that many long-time Molino residents have never seen.

“I’ve been working Molino for 14 years, and I’ve never seen it like this,” Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputy Ricky Barefield told NorthEscambia.com just after sunrise Saturday. He was stationed at Highway 29 and Highway 97, stopping traffic from passing through the flooded intersection. “I’ve never seen anything like this here,” he said.

That intersection and countless other roadways in the Molino, Cottage Hill and Cantonment areas were flooded by the torrential rainfall that fell in the pre-dawn hours. Numerous vehicles stalled as drivers attempted to drive through high water.

For several hours, it was impossible to drive to Pensacola from North Escambia. Highway 29, Highway 95A and Jacks Branch Road were all flooded. Eventually, as floodwaters receded, traffic was detoured along Highway 95A for a bumper to bumper trip from Molino to Cantonment.

By early Saturday evening, Highway 29 was once again open.

Several people had to be rescued from their flooded homes by emergency workers, including a family on Pinoak Lane just off Highway 29. County officials say about 20 homes were at least partially flooded.

The storms early Saturday morning also led to major power outages across the area. Officials say most of Molino and Century lost power, as did Walnut Hill and other areas. Portions of Molino were without power until Saturday afternoon. In many cases, power restoration was delayed by floodwaters that kept utility workers away from downed lines.

Lightning sparked house fire in the Molino area — twice. Firefighters were called to a home on Barth Lane early Saturday morning after a lightning strike sparked an attic fire. Firefighters returned to the home about sunrise after the home was hit by lightning again.

The American Red Cross opened a shelter at the Aldersgate Methodist Church Saturday afternoon. The shelter was closed Saturday night. The Red Cross also used a mobile kitchen to provide hot meals to those needing assistance. Anyone that needs Red Cross assistance or information can call 800-773-7620.

Click here for an exclusive NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from Saturday morning in Molino. 

Pictured above: This home on Molino Road was flooded. Pictured inset: Flooding at Highway 97 and Highway 29 Saturday morning.
Pictured inset: The intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 this morning. The water had receded about one foot at the time of this photo. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge. 

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News