Historic Flood: Many Homeless, Damage in The Millions; More Rain Likely

June 10, 2012

Heavy rain Saturday in southern Escambia County left an unknown number of people homeless, forced over 100 people into shelters, and caused untold millions of dollars in damages.

A Red Cross shelter at Ferry Pass Middle School reached capacity Saturday night at 82 people as shelters were opened at Tate High and Molino Park Elementary schools. Just before midnight, there were 30 people reported to be at the Tate High shelter and three at Molino Park. All shelters have now closed, except for Ferry Pass.

A record 13.11 inches of rain fell at the Pensacola airport, while portions of the southwestern county received over 20 inches according to radar estimates.

Flooding let to multiple water rescues as first responders pulled people from flood cars and residences. The Escambia County Jail flooded, leaving the facility without power [read more].

For a photo gallery, click here.

Damage totals to public and private property is expected to be well into the millions of dollars. If the water recedes on Sunday, damage assessment teams will begin inspecting flooding areas.

“I’ve lived here a long time and never seen anything like this before,” Cam Johnson, an Escambia County public information officer, said. “There were roads and areas flooded that I’ve never seen flood before.”

The National Weather Service is forecasting more rain though Sunday, with as much as 5-8 additional inches possible in Escambia County.

Emergency officials have asked Escambia County residents to stay home and not travel; many roads remain flooded and impassable.

Pictured: Reader submitted photos of flood in Escambia County on Saturday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

13 Responses to “Historic Flood: Many Homeless, Damage in The Millions; More Rain Likely”

  1. barrineau on June 10th, 2012 10:58 pm

    I sure hope the guy in the pic is up to date on his vac’s, storm water is pretty full of bacteria and other nasty junk. But what the heck you only live once…..with cholera !!

  2. vincent cerello on June 10th, 2012 6:01 pm

    i did live there in warrington years ago. i seen alot of rain at 1 time when freddrick came throu.

  3. Bry on June 10th, 2012 4:22 pm

    @ 429SCJ Ivan was much worse than this, we were without power for over 3 weeks, we had over 70 reported tornadoes during Ivan. I agree flooding is bad, that’s why people who live in low lying areas need flood insurance. I feel so sorry for those affected by this, it’s nature. I would never stay here for another hurricane like Ivan….NEVER!

  4. Gilligan on June 10th, 2012 4:16 pm

    “What did you do today?”
    “Oh, I just floated through the neighborhood, enjoying a cold beverage!”
    I just wish he would have had a coconut shell drink! I love this picture.

  5. molino jim on June 10th, 2012 1:32 pm

    @ Jane–I’m in the Molina area and have had over 7 inches of rain so far in the last two days.

  6. Jessica on June 10th, 2012 11:52 am

    At least the damage from wind was nonexistent. Maybe the water level in the rivers will return to normal.

  7. Kathy Byrd on June 10th, 2012 10:44 am

    Praying for everyone this is so sad to look at

  8. 429SCJ on June 10th, 2012 9:56 am

    Was it this bad during Ivan?

  9. just my words on June 10th, 2012 8:41 am

    my prayers go out to all the folks that got flood damage, some will try to sale their vehicles after this is over, buyers beware.

  10. DUH on June 10th, 2012 7:39 am

    @Jane – if you only got 4″ of rain, then you should know the answer to that question, Pensacola got over 12″ of rain…

  11. Jane on June 10th, 2012 6:41 am

    Most of the problems seem to be town. Does that mean we got less rain out here or the drainage is better? I only had about 4 inches in my rain gauge here in Molino (so far, knock on wood!!!).

  12. JM on June 10th, 2012 3:33 am

    This is really horrible. This county can not afford this kind of problem or
    the rest of the states affected. I feel so sorry for people put out of their
    homes but I know the community will come together to help those in need.

    Jiminy Cricket William do you ever sleep?

  13. griego on June 10th, 2012 1:21 am

    Our thoughts and prayers go out to the residents of Escambia County affected by the flooding