Keep Reading NorthEscambia.com On Your Cell Phone Even When The Power Is Out
November 9, 2009
Remember, if you lose power during Tropical Storm Ida, you can continue to read NorthEscambia.com on most Internet enabled cellular phones.
Just visit http://www.northescambia.com (the usual address) on your cell phone.
With a Blackberry, iphone or other smartphone, NorthEscambia.com looks and works just like it does on your computer. With other web-enabled cell phones, things may look a little different, but all of the information you normally see is still there at www.NorthEscambia.com
Escambia (Ala.) Schools Closed Tuesday
November 9, 2009
All public schools in Escambia County (Ala.) will be closed on Tuesday due to Tropical Storm Ida.
Private schools including Escambia Academy, Temple Christian Academy and Atmore Christian School will also be closed Tuesday.
The schools will all also be closed Wednesday for the Veterans Day holiday.
Pen Air Credit Union Closed
November 9, 2009
Due to extreme weather conditions, all Pen Air Federal Credit Union offices, including Century, closed this afternooon and will re-open pending weather conditions.
In the event of a power outage, Pen Air FCU offers ATMs powered by generators are located at the Saufley Field Pen Air FCU office, 4523 Saufley Field Road, and the Corporate Office, 1495 E. Nine Mile Road, both in Pensacola, Fla.
Pen Air FCU places the safety of the community, members, employees, and their families at the highest level. Should phone lines remain or become operational, please call any office at (850) 505-3200 or toll free 1-877-4PENAIR for updates on resuming operations, before driving to an office. Information will also be posted on www.penair.org.
All Santa Rosa Schools Closed Tuesday
November 9, 2009
Some Santa Rosa County public schools dismissed at 12:30 Monday afternoon. All Santa Rosa County District schools will be closed on Tuesday. The schools will remain closed Wednesday for the Veterans Day holiday.
Schools that dismissed early were:
- Navarre High School
- Gulf Breeze High School
- Pace High School
- Milton High School
- Avalon Middle School
- Holley Navarre Middle School
All other schools were to dismiss at their normal times.
Gulf Winds Credit Union Closing
November 9, 2009
Due to incoming Tropical Storm Ida, Gulf Winds will close all branch locations (including Atmore) and their Contact Center at 3 p.m. today.
Gulf Winds is preparing to be closed on Tuesday; however, if Tropical Storm Ida dissipates, their branches and Contact Center may be open for business. The credit union’s website GoGulfWinds.com will post up-to-date closure information.
Gulf Winds accounts can be accessed while the bank is closed by using Online Banking, PAT 24-hour phone banking, or one of more than 40 free local ATMs.
All Gulf Winds branches will be closed Wednesday for the Veterans Day holiday.
PJC, UWF Shutting Down
November 9, 2009
The University of West Florida and Pensacola Junior College will close at 1:00 this afternoon and remained closed through Tuesday as Tropical Storm Ida makes landfall.
Both UWF and PJC will reopen on Thursday; they are both closed Wednesday due to the Veterans Day holiday.
Only designated necessary personnel are to report to work at either school.
Student residents at UWF are encouraged to shelter in place or discuss home sheltering options with their family, since UWF will observe the Veteran?s Day holiday. Should the student shelter be activated, incoming calls for information on students can be made to 1-866-UWF-NEWS. This number will only be activated if students are required to evacuate to the student university shelter. This time frame is subject to change as UWF continues to monitor the storm.
The Center for Child Development at UWF will also close at 1 p.m. Parents should make arrangements to pick up their child(ren) by closing.
Weather Expert, Former Hurricane Hunter Forecaster: What North Escambia Can Expect
November 9, 2009
Flooding and power outages will be the primary threats from Tropical Storm Ida in North Escambia, according to Dr. Jeff Masters, Ph.D., founder of wunderground.com and former flight meteorologist with the NOAA Hurricane Hunters.
“Power outages, downed trees and flooding will be your primary threat,” Dr. Masters told NorthEcambia.com, “probably not any households destroyed or anything like that.”
Dr. Masters said that North Escambia will likely see sustained winds from Ida in the 30-40 mph range, and gusts from 50 to 60 mph. The storm will likely dump 3-5 inches of rain on our inland communities, he said.
“This is not going to be like your area had from Ivan,” he said. The remnants the northeaster quadrant of Ivan’s eyewall skirted North Escambia, bringing widespread damage.
The threat of inland tornadoes is very low for North Escambia, he said. “The air is just not unstable enough for tornadoes.”
“Ida is beginning to transition to an extratropical storm, and it is often the case that during such a transition the winds will gain energy from the process, though that’s looking unlikely in this case,” Dr. Masters said. “I expect Ida’s top winds will be in the 50 – 60 mph range along the coast tonight and Tuesday morning.”
He said that the worst weather may arrive before landfall.
“Ida’s most intense thunderstorms are on the north side of the storm, and the heaviest rains and highest winds will hit the coast tonight, well in advance of the arrival of the center,” Masters said.
Dr. Jeff Masters holds a B.S. and M.S. degrees in meteorology, and a Ph.D. degree in air pollution meteorology. He served as the flight meteorologist with the NOAA Hurricane Hunters from 1986-1990. While with the Hurricane Hunters, Dr. Masters flew into storms that included Hurricane Gilbert and Hurricane Hugo. He founded The Weather Underground in 1995. To visit The Weather Underground, click here.
Escambia Suspends Pre-Register Requirements For Special Needs Shelter
November 9, 2009
The Escambia County Health Department has suspending the requirement to pre-register for the Special Needs Shelter. Individuals will be assessed as they arrive at the shelter to determine if they can be served by the special needs shelter. Those planning to evacuate to the special needs shelter are reminded of the following requirements:
Who qualifies?
Residents must be able to live on-their-own but rely on nursing assistance for some medical help or electrical power for their medical equipment.
What to bring
- A caregiver is required; your caregiver helps you with meals and using the bathroom.
- Medications, medical equipment, and food for special diets
- Bedding (sheet, blanket and pillow). The shelter provides a military-style cot without bedding.
- If possible, a fully charged cell phone. The shelter does not have a public phone.
Location, Directions
- West Florida High School, Building 25 and 26
- 2400 Longleaf Drive, Pensacola, 32526
Type of Care
- Health Department nurses monitor vital signs, administer medication when necessary, and respond to signs of distress.
- Meals are provided.
Other shelters
Residents who do not qualify for the Special Needs Shelter, may be able to stay at a general shelter. General shelters do not have medical staff but they can help the elderly who:
- Use a walker, wheelchair, or cane
- Take their medications without help from a nurse
- Don’t need electrical power for their medical equipment
Red Cross Needs Volunteers
November 9, 2009
The local chapter of the American Red Cross is looking for volunteers to support relief operations before, during and after Tropical Storm Ida.
To volunteer, visit www.yourredcross.org and click on the volunteer page for an application.
“We run shelters so that everyone has a safe place to stay” said Ken Cromer, senior director for disaster services.
More Info: Escambia (Fla.) Schools Closed Monday & Tuesday; Some Workers To Report Monday
November 9, 2009
All public schools in Escambia County (Fla.) are closed both Monday and Tuesday, but some employees are being asked to report to work Monday. In addition, all extra-curricular activities scheduled for Monday and Tuesday have been canceled.
The school closure includes Byrneville Elementary Charter School.
From the Escambia County School District:
The Escambia County School District will be closed Monday, November 9, 2009 and Tuesday, November 10, 2009.
The Escambia Emergency Operations Center has informed Superintendent Malcolm Thomas of the need to open storm shelters on Monday morning. With this decision, and with the need to allow parents and employees to prepare, Superintendent Thomas made the decision to close schools.
All administrative, professional and maintenance personnel (with the exception of custodial employees and food service employees) are asked to report to work on Monday, November 9 to assist with hurricane preparedness and other duties as assigned.
All employees and students are asked to remain home on Tuesday. Wednesday is the Veteran’s Day holiday for all employees and students.
All extra-curricular activities scheduled for Monday and Tuesday have been canceled.