Gulf Power, EREC Ready With Extra Crews To Restore Power Quickly
August 27, 2012
Both Gulf Power Company and Escambia River Electric Cooperative are ready to respond quickly to power outages should they occur as a result of Isaac.
Escambia River Electric
“EREC has additional crews available should their assistance be needed if the storm impacts the EREC power system,” said EREC spokesperson Sabrina Owens. “As a Touchstone Energy cooperative, EREC is part of a vast network ready and able to assist their fellow cooperatives in time of need. Members can be assured EREC is prepared to restore power as quickly and efficiently as possible if Isaac causes damage in the EREC service area.”
Gulf Power
Hundreds of crews from Gulf Power Company’s sister companies, which include Alabama Power, Mississippi Power and Georgia Power, are at the ready to mobilize to Northwest Florida to help restore electric service should Isaac make landfall here.
In addition, almost a thousand workers from neighboring utilities also have been recruited.
“We can always count on the strength of Southern Company to bolster our power restoration efforts,” said Jeff Rogers with Gulf Power. “We’re prepared for widespread power outages if Isaac makes landfall anywhere in our service area, and it’s great to have the experienced crews from our sister companies on standby to help.”
If Isaac should make landfall further to the west and Northwest Florida has minimum impact from the storm, Gulf Power and Southern Company will assist utilities in those areas.
Gulf Power is preparing as if the looming storm will make a direct hit and asks that its customers be prepared as well. Rogers said a direct hit by a category three hurricane could mean power outages of up to two weeks for the hardest hit areas.
“We’re prepared and every Gulf Power employee has a special storm assignment which helps us restore power as quickly and safely as possible,” said Rogers. “If Isaac does indeed make landfall in Northwest Florida, we ask our customers to be prepared for widespread, lengthy outages.
The company’s preparations include making arrangements with vendors to bring in large inventories of poles, wires, transformers and other equipment; planning to set up staging sites where workers can sleep, eat, wash their clothes, refuel their trucks and have tools repaired and making sure aircraft will be available to perform damage assessments immediately after the storm.
“Should we be impacted by the storm, we thank our customers in advance for their patience as our crews work hard to restore everyone’s power,” Rogers said. “Our crews have kept sharp assisting other utilities throughout the year, so we’re ready to get out there and make a difference.”
Pensacola NAS Evacuates Aircraft, Operations Continue
August 27, 2012
In preparation for Tropical Storm Isaac, Naval Air Station Pensacola has evacuated all aircraft that could not be placed in hangars on base. Navy boats able to be placed on trailers have been moved from port operations to safe areas.
There is currently no plan to evacuate base personnel. All NASP military and civilian personnel will report to work at regular duty times on Monday, August 27th.
The National Naval Aviation Museum located aboard the base will be open for normal hours
Wahoos Split Twin Bill With Mississippi
August 27, 2012
Pensacola scored four runs in the sixth inning to top Mississippi 5-2 and shortstop Billy Hamilton stole his 150th base of the year in game one, while Braves starting pitcher J.R. Graham shut down the Blue Wahoos bats in a 1-0 shutout victory in the nightcap as the two teams split their double header on Sunday evening at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Mississippi.
With the split, the Fish now own a 32-31 record in the second half and are two games out of first place in the Southern League’s South Division. The Braves have recorded a 29-34 mark since the midpoint of the season.
The Blue Wahoos struck first in the opening contest after loading the bases. CF Ryan LaMarre and C Tucker Barnhart each reached on a free pass, while 3B David Vidal was hit by a pitch, to bring up 2B Miguel Rojas. The second baseman would draw a free pass to send in LaMarre and push Pensacola ahead.
Mississippi however, would answer with a two-run bottom of the frame. Following walks from 1B Joe Terdoslavich and 3B Joe Leonard, RF Alden Carrithers singled to load the bases for CF Bobby Stevens. Stevens drove in both Terdoslavich and Leonard to give the Braves a 2-1 advantage.
Pensacola then put up a four-spot in the sixth to snag the lead for good. Pinch hitter Bryson Smith brought home a run with a sacrifice fly to right, while RF Josh Fellhauer and 1B Beau Mills each collected RBI base knocks to help the Blue Wahoos’ cause.
Blue Wahoos reliever Michael Griffin (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO) earned his first victory at the Double-A level after firing a perfect inning of relief, while closer Justin Freeman (2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) notched his 16th save. Braves RHP Erik Cordier (0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB) suffered the loss and the blown save.
Mississippi starter J.R. Graham (6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 SO) silenced Pensacola batters throughout much of the nightcap, yielding just three hits while fanning eight in his six scoreless innings of work. Graham retired 15 of his first 16 batters, including 14 straight at one point. Fish starter Chad Rogers (5.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) suffered the loss, while Braves RHP Cory Rasmus (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 SO) collected his fifth save of the year.
The second game’s lone tally came in the third and proved to be all that Mississippi needed. 2B Phil Gosselin singled and stole second , prior to subsequently scoring on 1B Joe Terdoslavich’s run-scoring base hit.
Gosselin (2-3, 1 R) and Terdoslavich (2-3, 1 RBI) each recorded multi-hit efforts in the second game, while Blue Wahoos RF Josh Fellhauer accrued two of the Fish’s three hits. RF Alden Carrithers (2-2, 1 BB) was the only hitter from either side with two hits in the first contest. Blue Wahoos SS Billy Hamilton stole his 150thh base of the year in the first game, extending his single-season steals record after breaking Vince Coleman’s top mark of 145 on August 21 against Montgomery.
The two teams are scheduled to play the fourth game of their series Monday evening at 7:00 p.m., with RHP Mark Serrano expected to take the hill for Pensacola. Mississippi is scheduled to counter by giving the nod to RHP Gary Moran.
The final Blue Wahoos homestand of the season begins on Thursday, August 30 at 7:00 p.m., with Pensacola hosting the Tennessee Smokies, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.
By Andrew Green
Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF Closed Through Wednesday
August 26, 2012
Due to the threat posed by Tropical Storm Isaac, all University of West Florida campuses, including main campus and the Emerald Coast, will close on Monday, August 27. The university has cancelled all classes, events and related campus activities through Wednesday, August 29.
UWF employees are to report to campus on Monday, August 27 through 12 p.m. at which time campus will close. Employees should use this time to secure office spaces and conduct limited business activity. Faculty and staff should continue to monitor WUWF after the storm for information on resumption of business activities and reporting to work.
If possible, students who live on campus are encouraged to return home to their permanent residences. Students that remain on campus should stay in their assigned residence halls unless otherwise notified by the UWF Housing department.
“The safety of the UWF community is the university’s first priority, and all decisions about how UWF will deal with the storm and when the campuses will reopen will be made with that priority in mind,” said UWF President Dr. Judy Bense.
Man Dies In Pensacola Accident
August 26, 2012
Excessive speed is believed to have contributed to a single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a Pensacola man late Saturday night.
David J. Potorski II, 30, of the 100 block of West Moreno Street, died at the scene of the crash, which occurred just before midnight at 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway, said Officer
Melinda Ply.
Potorski was driving a red Honda Civic westbound on Gregory Street just west of 17th Avenue when he drove off the north side of the road, re-entered the road and crossed Gregory Street. The car then struck a short brick retaining wall and came to a stop on the south side of the wall.
Potorski was wearing a seatbelt. He was the third traffic fatality this year within city limits.
Escambia Schools Closed Monday And Tuesday
August 26, 2012
Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has made the decision to close the Escambia County School District on Monday, August 27, 2012, and Tuesday, August 28, 2012.
The Escambia Emergency Operations Center has informed Thomas of the need to open hurricane shelters on Monday morning.
“Because our community relies heavily on the use of our schools for evacuation shelters, it is imperative that schools are made available during the evacuation order. This decision allows parents, employees and the community adequate time to prepare and evacuate as appropriate,” Thomas said.
Only administrative and maintenance personnel are to report to work on Monday, August 27, 2012. Other essential personnel as notified by their supervisor will report to work on Monday to assist with pre-storm preparation.
All remaining employees and all students should not report to work or school on Monday and Tuesday and await further instructions concerning Wednesday and beyond.
All extra-curricular activities scheduled for Monday and Tuesday have been canceled.
For recorded up-to-date information, call (850) 469-5306.
Multiple People Injured When Crowd Hit By Vehicle
August 26, 2012
At least six people were injured overnight when a crowd of people was struck by a vehicle or vehicles north of Atmore. None of the injuries was serious.
Reports indicate that a crowd of people had gathered outside at a nightclub on Freemanville Drive, northeast of the I-65 and Jack Springs Road exit. A fight broke out about 2:30 a.m. Sunday and then someone rammed several vehicles, knocked multiple people to the ground.
One person was transported by LifeFlight to an area hospital. Two other people were transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital, and at least three others went to the Atmore emergency room by private vehicle.
Most of the victims were reportedly treated and released by mid-morning Sunday
DOC Cancels Visitations At Some Area Facilities
August 26, 2012
The Florida Department of Corrections has canceled visitations at several area prison work camps due to Isaac.
Visitations are canceled until further notice at the Pensacola Work Release Center, Berrydale Forestry Camp, Panama City Work Release Center and the Bay City Work Center.
Late Night Fire Destroys Byrneville Home
August 26, 2012
Fire destroyed a single family home late Saturday night in Byrneville.
The wood frame home, located on West Highway 4 just east of Byrneville Road, was fully involved when the first firefighters arrived on scene about 11:45 p.m. The home was a total loss. Preliminary information indicated that resident of the home moved out within the last couple of weeks.
There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Century, McDavid, Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Flomaton Fire Department and Escambia County EMS responded to the blaze.
Pictured: Fire destroyed this home in Byrneville late Saturday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
HURRICANE WARNING: Isaac Churns Toward The Gulf Of Mexico
August 26, 2012
A hurricane warning has been issued for the North Escambia area as Isaac moves toward the northern Gulf Coast.
Isaac is moving north of Cuba on a northwest track and is expected to strengthen over the next 48 hours. Isaac is forecast to move near or over the Florida Keys Sunday or Sunday night and over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico by early Monday.
For the very latest information on Isaac, click the graphic above to enlarge.
For other Isaac updates, check the front page of NorthEscambia.com for the very latest.