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Latest Headlines

• A Very Good Boy: ECSO K-9 Streeter Awarded Medal Of Courage For Jumping Off Bridge After Suspect
• Plans Refiled For Circle K At Highway 95A, Quintette Road; Intersection Improvements Proposed
• Escambia School Board Buys 36 Acres For $3.9 Million For New Beulah School
• Head On Crash Injures Two In Beulah
• FWC Removes 14 Boaters For Boating Under The Influence During Blue Angels Air Show
• Century Spending Over $3.3 Million On Five Sewage Lift Stations
• Escambia Man Gets Life Sentence For Murdering Roommate Before Staging Her Drowning
• Catholic’s TJ McCants Drafted By Chicago White Sox
• Man Gets 50 Years In Prison For 2022 Murder At Cantonment Gas Station
• Pedestrian Checking Trailer Tire Struck By Car In Two Vehicle Crash Near Century

Flooding: When Does The Escambia River Flood Century, McDavid And Molino?

The Escambia River at Century is forecast to crest at 23.9 feet by sometime tonight, about seven feet above flood stage.

But what does that mean for residents of Century, McDavid and Molino? What would happen in those areas if the river continues to rise? Would it be a cause for concern?

Perhaps…the Great Flood of 1929 caused major problems as the areas around Flomaton, Century, McDavid and Molino were flooded. But since then, the Escambia River has failed to reach the level that the National Weather Service terms “moderate” flood stage.

Flood stage on the Escambia River  is 17 feet, and moderate flood stage is 25 feet — a number the river level has only reached once in recorded history.

On March 15, 1929, the Escambia River reached its record level of 37.8 feet.  Otherwise, the river has never reached that moderate flood stage level, according to records from the National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service. It has come close, reaching 24.24 feet on March 18, 1990. There have been three other Escambia River crests over 23 feet — two in 1998 and once in 1975.

Here is a complete look at what happens along the Escambia River in North Escambia at various water levels:

• 17.0 — considerable flooding of lowlands will occur.
• 17.5 — some flooding of lowlands in the area will continue until the river level drops below 13 feet.
• 19.0 — low lying pastures will flood and cattle should be moved to higher ground.
• 19.5 — flooding of farm and pasture lands will gradually subside as the river level drops…but some flooding will continue the next several days.
• 23.0 — widespread flooding of pasture and farm lands in the area will continue. water begins to reach Mystic Springs Road, Worley Road, Bamer Holley Lane and River
• Bend Road. Approximately five homes become isolated in the Mcdavid and Molino areas. Public boat ramps at Mystic Springs and Fairground Road are submerged.
• 23.7 — second highest flood of record. Approximately eight homes become isolated and sections of Mystic Springs Road, River Ben Road and Fairground Road are impassable. water from the river flows into ponds at B&L Catfish Farm on Mystic Springs Road.
• 24.2 — flood of record (3/18/90). Up to one foot of water enters several homes on Worley Road, Daffin Road, and Fairground Road.
• 34.0 — some flooding in the eastern sections of Century will occur.
• 37.0 — severe flooding in most of Century will occur.
• 37.5 — severe flooding in Century will gradually subside as the river level falls below 37 feet. Flooding of farm and pasture lands will continue the next several days.
• 37.8 — pre-official record flood (3/15/29). There is no modern history available for levels of flooding above 24.2 feet.

Pictured above: The Escambia River floods Fairgrounds Park in Molino earlier this year. The park’s boardwalk and boat launch are under the flooded river. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.