Radar Estimates Show Rainfall Totals Across Area
December 15, 2009
What a difference a few miles can make — most of North Escambia was spared the incredible rain totals that caused massive flooding in Atmore Monday night.
Radar estimates from the National Weather Service show that over one foot of rain fell in a narrow band along Highway 31 from Perdido to Nokomis to the west side of Atmore. In Atmore and in a swath between I-65 and just north of Highway 31 to Highway 113, radar estimates 8-12 inches of rain.
At the Alabama/Florida State line on Highway 97, radar shows about five inches of rain. Just a short distance south at Highway 97 and Highway 4, radar indicated less than two inches of rain.
The extreme northwestern corner of Florida did experience extremely heavy rainfall — up to about a foot near Nokomis. The Flomaton and Century areas experienced two to three inches.
Escambia, Alabama Schools Closed Today; Florida Schools Open
December 15, 2009
Due to Monday night’s flooding and the threat of more rain today, all Escambia County, Alabama, public schools are closed today. That includes schools in Atmore and Flomaton.
Escambia Academy in Canoe and the Brewton City Schools are also closed today.
All Escambia County, Florida, schools will be open as usual.
Four Rescued After Being Trapped For Hours In Flooded Creek (With Photos)
December 15, 2009
Four people were rescued in dramatic fashion Monday night after their vehicles were swept off Deere Creek Road by raging flood waters from a swollen creek.
They were rescued by a man that many are calling a hero — Mike Allen of Atmore. Allen, a private citizen, used a jet ski to rescue the four from a flooded Brushy Creek, hours after their vehicles were submerged in the rising flood waters.
The first reports of the submerged vehicles were received about 9 p.m. Initial reports indicated that as many as eight people might have trapped in the raging waters of Brushy Creek. When emergency workers arrived at the scene, the were unable to reach the victims due to the high water. Firefighters believed that they had persons trapped on a vehicle in the water, and they knew they had a man who had climbed into a tree to escape drowning. The creek was swollen so wide that the powerful spotlights of several emergency vehicle were unable to provide enough light for firefighters to determine exactly what situation they were facing.
For more photos from the rescue, click here.
“Help me! Help me!” A faint voice could be heard calling for help from creek. “You’ve got to come get us.”
Firemen first used a human chain — walking out into the flood water in an attempt to reach the victims. That effort failed, and the emergency workers retreated. About 10:30 p.m., they attempted to use a boat to reach the victims. Shortly after entering the raging water, the boat capsized, putting two firemen into the water. They were able to reach the shore unharmed.
“I can’t hold on any more,” one of the victims, presumably the man in the tree, yelled.
The next plan at that point, according to Atmore Fire Chief Gerry McGhee, was to wait for U.S. Coast Guard helicopter dispatched to the scene. He said the helicopter would be able to provide enough light over the scene for firefighters to determine how to make the rescue. McGhee said that the helicopter would be unable to rescue the victims from the air, because they were located directly beneath high voltage power lines. The Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department was also working at that time to get jet skis to the scene to be used in the rescue.
(Article continues below photograph.)
The man who had been up in a tree disappeared from the view of rescuers. He then reappeared, attempted to reach dry land by walking in neck deep water while holding onto bushes. Rescue workers screamed frantically at him to stop before he reached the open waters of Brushy Creek, fearing that he would be swept downstream.
At about 11:00 p.m., Allen arrived on the opposite side of the creek from rescue workers. He deployed his jet ski and quickly rescued the first victim, who was reportedly his niece. He transported her on the jet ski to rescue workers where she was rushed to a waiting ambulance.
“He looks like a cowboy, smoking that cigarette,” one rescue worker said of Allen as he went about rescuing the victims one by one on his jet ski. He could be seen puffing away on a cigarette the entire time as he fought to keep control of the jet ski in the raging water. The last victim was rescued about 11:10 p.m., over two hours after the flood waters of Brushy Creek pushed their vehicles off the road.
In all, Allen rescued four victims – two adult males and two adult females. The four were transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital for evaluation.
The Atmore Fire Department, Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Poarch Fire Department, Atmore Ambulance and the Atmore Police Department assisted in the rescue effort. Members of the Flomaton Fire Department spent their night on standby at Atmore’s main fire station.
For more photos from the rescue, click here.
Pictured top: One of four victims is rescued late Monday night from a flooded Brushy Creek on Deere Creek Road near Atmore. Pictured top inset: Civilian Mike Allen uses his jet ski to rescue another victim. Pictured bottom inset: Two rescuers in the water after their boat was capsized by the raging flood waters. Pictured middle: Rescuers formed a human chain in an effort to reach the victims. They were unsuccessful. Pictured below: Firemen rush one of the victims to a waiting ambulance. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Atmore Suffers Massive Flooding; Dozens Rescued
December 15, 2009
Dozens of people were rescued from flood waters in Atmore Monday night after 8-10 inches of rain caused massive flooding that paralyzed the city.
“I’ve never seen anything like this in all my years in Atmore,” Atmore Fire Chief Gerry McGhee told NorthEscambia.com. “I’ve been an Atmore fireman for 34 years. This is the worst flooding I’ve ever seen.”
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the Atmore flooding, click here.
At The Pines Apartments on Jack Springs Road, as many as 60 people were rescued from their flooded homes by firemen. All across Atmore, persons were rescued from partially and even almost-fully submerged vehicles.
People were rescued from deeply submerged vehicles on Cindebran Road, Highway 31 at Rockway Creek Road and on Highway 31 west of Atmore near Westside Salvage.
“The water was over waist deep where they were trapped when we got them out,” said Chris Brown, chief of the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
“I had no idea the water was that deep when I run through,” Elaine Day, 35, of Atmore said. “I’ve never, ever seen anything like this in all my life.” Day was stopped by flood water at a Highway 31 West gas station, where the gas islands lived up their name as they were surrounded by rushing water.
In downtown Atmore, flood waters reached the sidewalks, well over a foot above the level of the road. Before the road was shut down, passing cars created waves that sent water into several downtown businesses. The Atmore Police Department and fire department closed several blocks of the downtown area as the waters continued to rise.
All across Atmore, flooded homes were reported. Dozens and dozens of vehicles were stalled across town as people tried to drive through standing water that was feet deep.
For over two hours, most of the town was impassable. At one point during the night, an Atmore Ambulance crew was unable to reach the town’s hospital on Medical Park Drive due to flooding.
On Highway 31 at the Atmore Country Club, up to four feet of water was reported to be rushing over a bridge. In Nokomis, just west of Atmore, firemen were reportedly unable to reach their fire station due to flood waters across several roads.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the Atmore flooding, click here.
Pictured top: Monday night flooding in downtown Atmore. Pictured top inset: Highway 31 between Roberts Street and Presley Street was impassable. Pictured bottom inset: Water began to get into downtown businesses. Pictured below: A flooded gas station on Highway 31 West. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
High School Basketball: Jay, Northview, Tate, Flomaton
December 15, 2009
The Royals advanced in the Jay Christmas tournament Monday with a win over Pensacola Christian Academy. Also Monday, Central beat Northview. Central and Jay will play in the tournament championship Tuesday night.
In other area girl’s basketball action, Tate beat Foley 46-39
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Jay 55, PCA 11
Amber Steadham set the pace for the Royals Monday with 15 points for the Jay Royals.
Jay — Ginger Jennings 8, Tessa Hendricks 15, Amber Steadham 15, Courtney Hammac 2, Candace Mulford 7, Shelby Thomas 6, Moore 2.
Central 38, Northview 30
Northview — Jones 14, Rodriguez 7, Lett 3, Turner 4, Gomez 0.
Northview 4 9 5 12-30 Central 9 3 11 12-38
Tate 46, Foley 39
Tate — Chelsea Hall 12, Meagan Briske 11, Marina Cobbs 11, Courtney Brown 8, Cecilie Olsen 3, Ashlee Thompson 1.
Tate 13 7 41 12-46 Foley 12-13-7-7-39
BOYS BASKETBALL
Jay 52, Northview 41
Northview — Bushaw 14, Bellamy 5, Sims 2, Arrington 2, White 16, Chestnut 2.
Jay — Dee Walker 7, Luke Rowell 5, Hunter Boutwell 9, Bugg Fischer 6, Conner Weekes 8, Steven Brabham 7, Tyler Prescott 3, Todd Laney 7.
Northview 14 6 9 12-41 Jay 4 13 13 22-52
Tate 69, Foley 59
Tate — Tevin Brown 15, Krys Walden 11, Ayyuwb Harrison 11, Dylan Anderson 9, Adam Stumpf 9, Armani Costen 7, Whitney Richardson 4, Jabril Rashied 3.
Foley– Long 10, Powell 5, Holmes 13, Washington 24, Odoms 2, O’Neal 5.
Tate 11 21 17 20—69 Foley 13 11 14 20—59
West Florida 52, Flomaton 49
Flomaton — Shay Gipson 4, Phillip Lloyd 3, Austin Patterson 7, Rayheem Dixon 10, Pee Mitchell 3, Tata Ellis 22.
West Florida — Ashton Scott 24, Chris Boykins 3, Matt Smith-Cook 2, Jerome Pogue 6, Daniel Greiner 5, Michael Etheridge 4, Michael Greer 8.
More Rain Forecast Today, Some Could Be Heavy
December 15, 2009
There is a near 100 percent chance of more rain today, and forecasters say that some rainfall could be heavy.
A flash flood watch is in effect for today, with another four or more inches expected in some parts of the North Escambia area. After about four to eight inches of rain on Friday and eight to 12 inches of rain on Monday, the ground is extremely saturated. Additional heavy rainfall can lead to rapid flash flooding, according to the National Weather Service.
Here is your official North Escambia are forecast:
- Today…Periods of rain showers and scattered thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Highs in the mid 60s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
- Tonight…Mostly cloudy. Scattered rain showers in the evening. Lows in the mid 40s. North winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of showers 50 percent.
- Wednesday…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 60s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night…Partly cloudy in the evening becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s. Northeast winds around 5 mph.
- Thursday…Partly sunny in the morning becoming cloudy. Chance of rain. Highs in the lower 60s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent.
- Thursday Night…Cloudy. Rain likely. Lows 44 to 49. Chance of rain 60 percent.
- Friday…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain. Highs in the upper 50s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
- Friday Night…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain. Lows in the upper 30s. Chance of rain 20 percent.
- Saturday…Mostly sunny. Slight chance of rain. Highs in the mid 50s. Chance of rain 20 percent.
- Saturday Night…Partly cloudy. Lows around 30.
- Sunday…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 40s.
- Sunday Night…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 20s.
- Monday…Sunny. Highs in the lower 50s.
Flood Warnings for Area Rivers, Creeks; Brewton Expected To Flood
December 15, 2009
As area rivers and creeks rise after Monday’s heavy rains, it currently appears that Brewton will be hardest hit in our area.
Major flooding is forecast for Murder Creek at Brewton. At 6 a.m. Tuesday, the stage of Murder Creek was 25.7 feet. Flood stage is 22 feet. The river will continue rising to near 29 feet by midnight Wednesday and fall below flood stage by Friday. At 29 feet, severe flooding will occur in Brewton south of Court an East streets.
The flood warning for the Escambia River at Century continues until further notice. At 3 a.m. Tuesday, the stage was 18.5 feet. Minor flooding is occurring and is forecast to continue. Flood stage is 17 feet. The river will continue rising to near 22.3 feet by Thursday evening then begin to fall. At 19 feet, low lying pastures will flood and cattle should be moved to higher ground.
A flood warning is in effect for the Perdido River at Barrineau Park until Wednesday night. Early Tuesday, the stage was at 11.1 feet. Minor flooding is forecast. Flood stage is 13 feet. The river is forecast to rise above flood stage by Wednesday, reaching 14.6 feet. The river will fall below flood stage by Wednesday evening. At 13 feet, the river begins to leave its banks at the parking lot of Adventures Unlimited, threatening several permanently parked travel trailers.
A flood warning is in effect for the Big Escambia Creek at Flomaton until Wednesday afternoon. Flood stage is 14 feet. The creek will continue rising to near 17.1 feet by early Tuesday night and then begin to fall.
Alabama Students
December 15, 2009
Public schools in Escambia County, Alabama, will be closed again on Wednesday.
According to the Escambia County Board of Education, the schools should be open Thursday and Friday for exams.
Escambia Academy and Brewton City Schools will be open Wednesday.
Escambia County, Florida, schools will also be open.
Schools in Baldwin County will also be in session Wednesday, including Perdido School.
Man, 40, Accused Of Assaulting Mom, 83, Over His Girlfriend
December 15, 2009
A 40-year old Century man landed behind bars Monday after allegedly shoving his 83-year old mother after she confronted him about his girlfriend.
Brooks Griggs, of Pond Street, Century, faces a felony charge of battery on a person 65 years of age or older and a misdemeanor charge of damaging property – criminal mischief. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report on the incident, the 83-year old confronted Griggs, her son, about his girlfriend about 11:30 Monday morning. That’s when he became very violent and began throwing dishes, according to the report. Griggs then went into a bedroom where he reportedly punched a hole in a sheet rock wall.
“He then pushed his mother in the chest, causing her to fall into a chair,” Deputy Randy Murph wrote in the arrest report. Another person in the home intervened and prevented Griggs from further injuring his mother, the report states.
The 83-year old was not injured in the incident. Deputies say she refused EMS.
ECUA Releases Statement After Water Supply Called Worst In The U.S.
December 15, 2009
Two days after a national environmental group called Pensacola’s water supply the worst in the nation among cities over 250,000 poplulation, the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is responding.
A study released Saturday by the Environmental Working Group said there were 21 chemicals found in Pensacola’s water that exceeded health guidelines, including radium, lead, bezene and carbon tetracholride. Overall, the group said, Pensacola has the worst drinking water of any American city. (Read more here.)
Monday, the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, which provides Pensacola’s water, released the following statement:
“We appreciate our customers’ concerns related to the quality of our drinking water. First, ECUA’s drinking water is perfectly safe and meets all federal and state standards. Second, data used in the report by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) were taken from all the utilities’ Water Quality Reports.
“There are trace amounts of various chemicals in our water, and every water source for that matter, but they are in parts per billion and parts per trillion which means the chemicals are at very, very low amounts. When we encounter any issue or concern with the quality of the water, we address it immediately. We filter out unsafe levels of these contaminants from the underground source water before it is provided to you, the customer.
“The important issue for us is that the water quality standards are met for ECUA water. Our water meets these standards and is some of the best in the country despite what the environmental advocacy groups have to say. Our water is absolutely safe and meets every water quality standard from the environmental agencies. If the standards change, we will also meet the new requirements.
“We take water quality very seriously at the ECUA.”