State Of Emergency Declared
December 16, 2009
Alabama Governor Bob Riley on Wednesday declared a state of emergency Escambia and three other Alabama counties due to the significant rainfall and flooding.
The disaster declaration includes Escambia, Covington, Crenshaw and Dale. Numerous homes and businesses have suffered damage in communities that include Atmore, Flomaton and Brewton. Baldwin County, which suffered damage in Perdido and other northern locations, was not included in the declaration.
By declaring a state of emergency, the governor authorizes the Alabama Emergency Management Agency to assist communities, make the appropriate assessments of damage and seek state and federal assistance for the affected areas.
“The state will do everything it can to help our citizens and our communities,” said Riley.
Alabama EMA Executive Officer Jeff Byard and Recovery Section Chief Benjie Abbott toured the damage today. “Counties are reporting the damage as being worse than the spring floods,” said Byard.
“I have been in contact with FEMA regarding the need for preliminary damage assessments,” said AEMA Director Brock Long. “It is important we move quickly, avoiding all unnecessary delays.”
Additional rainfall forecast for Friday has the potential to exacerbate damage levels in the state, and Alabama EMA is prepared to extend assistance as needed, according to the governor’s office.
Pictured above: Flooding in Flomaton on Tuesday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Cool Today; Rain Returning
December 16, 2009
Sunshine has returned to the North Escambia area, and it is going to be seasonably cool. But rain returns to the forecast for Thursday and Friday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. North wind around 10 mph.
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday: Scattered showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 43. Northeast wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Friday: Scattered showers. Cloudy, with a high near 53. North wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 52.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 52.
Sentencing Delayed For Former Atmore Dentist Employee That Defrauded Insurance Companies
December 16, 2009
Sentencing has been delayed for a former dental office manager that pleaded guilty to defrauding tens of thousands of dollars from insurance companies.
Toni McMurphy, 54, pleaded guilty to health care fraud and mail fraud in federal court. She was scheduled to be sentenced in federal court on Friday, but that sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Dubose has been delayed until March 5, 2010. She could face up to 20 years in prison, three years probation and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. However, the plea agreement states that federal prosecutors will seek a minimum allowable sentence of probation. She could also be ordered by the court to make restitution in the case.
In a written plea agreement, McMurphy admitted that while working for Buckley and Buckley Family Dentistry in Atmore between January 1, 2006, and November, 2008, she bilked about $45,000 from insurance companies by filing false claims for services never performed or by upgrading lower cost procedures to higher cost procedures.
“The insurance carriers would then send reimbursement checks to Buckley Family Dentistry to pay for the fraudulent claims,” McMurphy stated in her plea agreement. “I would then misapply said fraudulent proceeds, thereby allowing me to apply proceeds to different patients and to withdraw cash from Buckley Family Dentistry.”
The mail fraud charge stemmed from an incident in June, 2008, when McMurphy admitted that she filed a false claim with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama asking for reimbursement on behalf of a patient claiming that the dentist had extracted two of her teeth. Blue Cross and Blue Shield then mailed a payment for the services never performed to an Atmore post office box.
Local Care Packages Headed To Iraq
December 16, 2009
Several Christmas care packages are on their way to American troops serving in Iraq thanks to the North Escambia community’s willingness to help a Molino woman with her project.
Katie Hilburn’s fiancee, Spc. Ben Piatt, also of Molino, is two months into his tour of duty as a combat engineer in northern Iraq. He is schedule to be in Iraq until October of next year.
After hearing about the soldiers’ needs, Hilburn decided to send the care packges to Piatt’s unit in Iraq during the Christmas season. After a NorthEscambia.com article about her project, the donations started to roll in. At least two radio stations, Cat Country 98.7 and WXBM, also joined in the promotional effort after reading the story.
“People are still bringing stuff in. the community has helped so much and a big thanks to everyone,” Hilburn said Tuesday night. “I can’t explain how it makes me feel to be able to help our troops. This is something that started out small and turned into big. Some of the soldiers have told me how much it means to have letters from home and to get care packages, and it’s just an amazing feeling to be able to make their day better.”
The first round of donations are on their way to Iraq, but Hilburn will continue to collect more supplies for soldiers at a collection box at veteran-owned Cole’s Barbershop in Molino. Cole’s is located next to Fran’s Country Grill on Highway 29.
Items being collected include:
Body Care
Mens liquid body soap
Shampoo
Baby wipes
Q-tips
Shaving cream
Razors
Foot powder
Chap stick
Food
Ramen noodles (in the cup)
Beef jerky
Cereal bars
Peanuts
Cookies, candy bars
Crystal Light (peach tea, lemon tea)
Popcorn (microwavable)
Saltine crackers
Peanut butter
Fruit cups
Macaroni and cheese (in a cup)
Miscellaneous
Playing cards
DVD’s
Magazine’s (hunting, fishing, guns, sports)
Games
International phone cards
Pictured top: Katie Hilburn an care packages bound for Iraq. Pictured top inset: Spc. Piatt in Iraq. Pictured bottom inset: Some of the care packages. Pictured below: Items donated by the community. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flooding: When Does The Escambia River Flood Century, McDavid And Molino?
December 16, 2009
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.
Aerial Photos: Flooding In Flomaton, Brewton
December 16, 2009
Aerial photos show the extent of the flooding in both Flomaton and Brewton. For more aerial photos from both Flomaton and Brewton, click here. Pictured above: Flooding in Flomaton. Pictured below: Flooding in Brewton. Submitted photos by the Alabama Forestry Commission for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Latest Update: River Flood Warnings
December 16, 2009
The flood warning continues for the Escambia River near Century until further notice. At 9 p.m. Tuesday the stage was 22 feet. Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. Flood stage is 17 feet. The river will continue rising to near 23.9 feet by tomorrow evening then begin falling. At 19.5 feet, flooding of farm and pasture lands will gradually subside as the river level drops, but some flooding will continue the next several days.
The flood warning has been extended until Thursday afternoon for the Big Escambia Creek at Flomaton. At 4 p.m. Tuesday the stage was 19 feet. Major flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast. Flood stage is 14.0 feet. The river will continue to fall to below flood stage by Thursday morning.
The flood warning has been extended until late Friday night for the Perdido River at Barrineau Park. At 9 p.m. Tuesday, the stage was 14.6 feet. Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. Flood stage is 13 feet. The river will continue to rise to 16.6 feet by Wednesday evening. The river will fall below flood stage Friday evening.
The flood warning has been extended until late Thursday night for the Murder Creek at Brewton. At 9 p.m. Tuesday the stage was 27.9 feet. Moderate flooding is occurring and forecast to continue. Flood stage is 22 feet. The river will continue to rise to near 28.4 feet by after midnight Wednesday. The river will fall below flood stage by Thursday evening.
The flood warning for the Conecuh River at Brewton has been extended until Sunday morning. At 9 p.m. Tuesday, the stage was 29.1 feet. Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. Flood stage is 27 feet. The river will continue to rise to near 29.9 feet by Wednesday evening. The river will fall below flood stage early Sunday morning.
Flomaton Roads Open Again
December 16, 2009
Most roads in Flomaton are once again open following Tuesday’s floods.
The intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 31 opened just before midnight Tuesday. At last report, Highway 31 was still closed at Flomaton High School, but clearly marked detours will allow traffic to pass around the area.
There is still minor flooding on some secondary residential streets. Railroad Street remains closed due to damage to the road surface.
McLaughlin Presents ‘State Of The County Report’ As His Job Is On The Line
December 16, 2009
Just before is contract is up for renewal by the Escambia County Commission, Administrator Bob McLaughlin has submitted his required annual “State of the County” report.
“As I look back on 2009, I feel a tremendous sense of pride. Our accomplishments are the direct result of teamwork, collaboration, and a passion of excellence,” McLaughlin wrote in his cover letter to commissioners. “2010 will have its challenges; and we will meet them with the same enthusiasm and passion as we continue on our journey toward our mission.”
McLaughlin may not be around in 2010; Thursday morning, commissioners will discuss whether or not to renew his contract for another year. One commission, District 5’s Kevin White, has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with McLaughlin on multiple occasions. If his contract is not renewed, he will leave Escambia County with over $200,000 in termination pay, leave and other benefits.
In his “State of the County” report, McLaughlin identified two areas in which the county not performing on-target. He reported that more attention is needed on mass transit funding and ECAT routes, and code enforcement needs to work to be more courteous and compassionate.
The report applauds a long list of county activities and accomplishments in the past year.
In North Escambia, McLaughlin points to the successes of last summer’s Blueberry Festival in Barrineau Park that was attended by 7,000 to 8,000 people. He points out the effort to renovate the old Molino School into a new community center, the fourth best year in the history of Lake Stone, the resurfacing of Molino Road and a parks project in Byrneville.
Click here to read the entire report.
Flomaton Flood: Reader Submitted Photo Gallery
December 16, 2009
Flomaton was hit hard by flooding Tuesday. Our NorthEscambia.com readers submitted dozens of photos from around the area.
View our reader submitted photo gallery by clicking here.
If you have photos of the flooding that you would like to add to our gallery, email the photos to news@northescambia.com. Include a photo description and your name.
Pictured above: Flomaton residents use a boat to navigate a flooded street. Submitted by Anita Boutwell. Pictured below: Flood waters inside University Auto Recyclers in Flomaton. Submitted by Amanda Williams.
