NOAA Predicts More Storms This Hurricane Season
August 5, 2011
NOAA has issued its updated 2011 Atlantic hurricane season outlook, raising the number of expected named storms from its preseason outlook issued in May. Forecasters also increased their confidence that 2011 will be an active Atlantic hurricane season.
“The atmosphere and Atlantic Ocean are primed for high hurricane activity during August through October,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at the Climate Prediction Center. “Storms through October will form more frequently and become more intense than we’ve seen so far this season.”
Key climate factors predicted in May continue to support an active season. These include: the tropical multi-decadal signal, which since 1995 has brought favorable ocean and atmospheric conditions, leading to more active seasons; exceptionally warm Atlantic Ocean temperatures (the third warmest on record); and the possible redevelopment of La Niña. Reduced vertical wind shear and lower air pressure across the tropical Atlantic also favor an active season.
Based on these conditions and on climate model forecasts, the confidence for an above-normal season has increased from 65 percent in May to 85 percent. Also, the expected number of named storms has increased from 12-18 in May to 14-19, and the expected number of hurricanes has increased from 6-10 in May to 7-10.
Across the entire Atlantic Basin for the whole season – June 1 to November 30 – NOAA’s updated seasonal outlook projects, with a 70 percent probability, a total of:
- 14 to 19 Named Storms (top winds of 39 mph or higher), including:
- 7 to 10 Hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or higher), of which:
- 3 to 5 could be Major Hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of at least 111 mph)
NOAA says these ranges indicate an active season, and extend well above the long-term seasonal averages of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.
These ranges are indicative of an active season, and extend well above the long-term seasonal averages of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.
The Atlantic basin has already produced five tropical storms this season: Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don and Emily. All eyes this week are on Emily, which continues to develop and move towards the United States.
The last hurricane to make landfall in the United States was Ike in 2008. Last year saw above-normal hurricane activity, but none made landfall in the United States. August through October are peak months of the Atlantic hurricane season, and FEMA urges people not to be lured into a false sense of security by the lack of hurricanes so far this year.
Pictured above: The Alantic Basin early Friday morning. Courtesy NOAA.
Another Excessive Heat Warning For Your Friday
August 5, 2011
For the third straight day, there is an excessive heat warning in effect in the North Escambia area. Here is your official forecast:
- Friday…Mostly sunny. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 90s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 40 percent. Heat index readings 106 to111.
- Friday Night…Partly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms in the evening…then isolated showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 70s. South winds 5 to 10 mph in the evening becoming light. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Saturday…Mostly sunny. Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 90s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Saturday Night…Partly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 70s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Sunday…Mostly sunny. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Sunday Night…Partly cloudy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Monday…Mostly sunny. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Monday Night…Partly cloudy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Tuesday…Mostly sunny. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Tuesday Night…Partly cloudy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Wednesday…Mostly sunny. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Wednesday Night…Partly cloudy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Thursday…Mostly sunny. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 90s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
Escambia County Launches New Easy Access Website
August 5, 2011
Escambia County launched a new website Thursday that is designed to offer easy access to the county’s online resources.
The new www.myescambiacares.com can also be accessed from the county website, www.myescambia.com.
The website is divided into two main sections:
- The Citizen Support Center, in which citizens can ask a question and make a request, find information about meetings, public records, calendar, and other information.
- Frequently Asked Questions, where citizens find frequently called numbers, a quick reference guide to county services, building inspections information, Social Security Administration and other resources.
Additional features will be added in the near future.
Qualifying Ends Today For October Century Election
August 5, 2011
Three candidates have officially qualified to appear on the October ballot in Century’s general election, while two prefiled candidates have not yet completed the qualification process.
By the close of business Thursday, incumbent Mayor Freddie McCall and challenger Henry Hawkins both finished the qualification process, as did incumbent Seat 1 council member Ann Brooks.
Brooks’ challenger, Pamela MacArthur, and the only prefiled candidate to date for Seat 2 on the town council, Annie Carter Savage, had not yet completed the qualification process, according to the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections website.
The qualifying period for the fall ballot in Century ends Friday. Qualifying papers will be accepted from 8 a.m. until noon at the Century Town Hall and the Supervisor of Elections Office in Pensacola.
Saturday morning, NorthEscambia.com will publish the final list of candidates qualified to seek office in Century this year.
Monthly Barrineau Park Music Tonight
August 5, 2011
There will be plenty of good entertainment on stage tonight in Barrineau Park — and it’s free. The monthly Barrineau Park Music Night will be tonight at the Barrineau Park Community Center. The featured local groups tonight are The Wayfarers and and Tommy Fillingim & Friends.
The singing starts at 6:30 p.m. Food and refreshments will be available beginning at 6 p.m.
The event is family-friendly — no alcohol is permitted on the property, and no smoking is allowed in or near the building.
For more information, call (850) 587-5575. The Barrineau Park Community Center is located on Barrineau Park School road, about three miles west of Molino.
Pictured above: The Wayfarers will perform tonight during the monthly Barrineau Park Music Night. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Water Main Break Causes Old Palafox, Nine Road Traffic Problems
August 4, 2011
A water main break near Nine Mile Road in causing traffic problems this afternoon.
Northbound traffic on Old Palafox near Nine Mile Road is closed due to the water main break. Traffic is being detoured onto Nine Mile Road to Chemstrand Road to Ten Mile Road back to Old Palafox until further notice, according to Florida Department of Transportation.
The broken ECUA main has the water off in the following areas: Nine Mile Road from Holsberry Lane west to Highway 29, Old Palafox Street south to Hood Drive, Old Palafox north to 9 1/2 Mile Road. ECUA crews are on site repairing the water main.
Northview Student Charged As Adult In Murder Of Sister Christina Sneary
August 4, 2011
A former Northview High student, 17-year old Elena Janelle Rendell has now been charged as an adult with the murder of her 14-year old sister Christina Sneary, an eighth grader at Ernest Ward Middle School last year.
Rendell (pictured left)) appeared in court Thursday afternoon and was charged as an adult with one count of manslaughter with a firearm. Her bond was set at $300,000. She is set to appear again in adult court on August 18. If convicted, she faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
The two girls had recently moved with their mother from Sunset View Lane in Molino to the 7600 block of Kipling Street in the Ferry Pass community. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to that home about 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, where they found the 14-year old girl had been shot in the neck. She was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition where she died just before midnight.
The shooting reportedly stemmed from an argument over a cell phone. Both girls were described by a relative as being special needs children.
Rendell was taken into custody at the scene of the shooting by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies.
“It appears that the two juveniles were at home and involved in some sort of argument,” said sheriff’s office spokesman Deputy Chris Welborn. “At some point, Rendell retrieved a firearm and shot the victim.”
Sneary (pictured left) would have been a freshman this fall at Northview High School.
Pictured top: Elena Janelle Rendell, 17, is charged with the shooting death of her half-sister, 14-year old Christina Sneary. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four Sentenced For Billings Murders
August 4, 2011
Four men convicted in the death of Byrd and Melanie Billings were sentenced Thursday morning.
- Gary Lamont Sumner Jr., who pleaded no contest to two counts of second degree murder, received 20 years with no probation.
- Leonard Gonzalez, Sr., who pleaded no contest to two charges of second degree murder and home invasion, received 17.5 years in prison without probation when released.
- Rakeem Chavez Florence, who entered a plea deal for his testimony to second degree murder and home invasion robbery, was sentenced to 24 years in prison and 21 years of probation.
- Fredrick Thornton, Jr, who pleaded to two counts second degree murder and one count of home invasion, was sentenced to 22 years in prison followed by 18 years of probation under a plea deal with prosecutors.
The sentences were handed down by Circuit Court Judge Nicholas Geeker.
Three other defendants were previous sentenced in the case:
- Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. — sentenced to death for shooting and killing the Beulah couple.
- Wayne Coldiron — sentenced to life in prison for first degree murder
- Donnie Stallworth — sentenced to life in prison for first degree murder
Pamela Long-Wiggins is due to be sentenced on September 2 as an accessory after the fact.
Bratt ‘Prowler’ Located Hours After Manhunt
August 4, 2011
The focus of an early Thursday morning manhunt in Bratt has been located by Escambia County deputies, about three hours after they called off a formal search.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to Rigby Road off West Highway 4 just before 5 a.m. for a reported prowler. One resident told deputies that she saw a man in her yard. A second resident told deputies he had made contact with the man who told him that he was out of gas.
Deputies located what was believed to be the man’s truck nearby, but it did not appear to be out of gas.
A perimeter was established and an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit responded. The search was called off about 7 a.m. without locating the suspect.
About 10 a.m., several residents in the area called the Sheriff’s Office to report seeing the man. Deputies located him a short time later at a home on Highway 4. The man told deputies that he ran out of gas and went to several houses seeking help. He said he fled when he saw deputies in the early morning hours because he thought he was drunk and he might be arrested for DUI.
No charges have been filed in the incident.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Final Local Defendants Sentenced In Federal Drug Case
August 4, 2011
The last of a dozen North Escambia area defendants have been sentenced on federal drug charges stemming from an undercover operation.
The 12 were indicted and arrested in February for conspiring to obtain pseudoephedrine in order to manufacture methamphetamine. They were arrested in a day-long law enforcement sweep on February 22 as part of a federal effort dubbed “Operation Blister Pack”.
The most recent sentences handed down as a result of the operation were:
- Rebecca Jernigan, of Still Road, Century — eight months home detention without electronic monitoring, five years probation
- Particia Love, of Eastman Lane, Cantonment — 36 months in federal prison, three years probation
- William Robbins, of Duxbury Avenue, Molino — five years probation with first six months at the Keeton Correctional Center followed by six months home detention
The longest sentences stemming from the operation were handed down to Matthew Ramsey of Duxbury Avenue in Molino, James N. Brown of Molino Road in Molino and Terry D. Wolfe of Robertsdale, Alabama. Ramsey will spend the next 20 years in federal prison, while Brown was sentenced to nearly 16 years and Wolfe received 10 years.
All of the dozen defendants entered into plea agreements with federal prosecutors over the past few months.
Those sentenced earlier were:
- James N. Brown, of Molino Road, Molino– 188 months federal prison, three years supervised release.
- Tonya L. Foster, of Vaughn Street, Cantonment– 72 months federal prison, three years supervised release.
- Aarron V. Hendrickson, of Hwy. 95A, Cantonment — 36 months federal prison, three years supervised release.
- Raymond E. Love, of Highway 29, Molino — 54 months federal prison, three years supervised release.
- William T. Neal, of Williams Ditch Road, Cantonment – 40 months federal prison, three years supervised release.
- Terra C. Palmer, of Daylily Road, Cantonment — 60 months federal prison, three years supervised release.
- Matthew M. Ramsey, of Duxbury Avenue, Molino — 240 months federal prison, 10 years supervised release.
- Nicholas D. Scott, of Rumford Road, Molino – 87 months federal prison, three years supervised release.
- Terry D. Wolfe, of Robertsdale, Ala. — 120 months federal prison, five years supervised release.
The case resulted from a long-term investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA).