Scott Declares State Of Emergency; State Funds To Be Released
February 22, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott has issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in Escambia County due to last weeks EF-3 tornado.
The executive order gives the county the ability to request state disaster recovery funding from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. The executive order is the also the next step in possibly securing federal assistance.
This disaster recovery funding can be utilized for activities as outlined in the county’s Local Housing Assistance Plan, which is used to administer the local State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program, including disaster/mitigation assistance, housing repairs and replacement housing. The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners will submit a request for disaster recovery funding to Florida Housing Finance Corporation this week. Once funding is released from the state, residents will be able to apply for housing repair and replacement costs. More information will be released as funding is available.
NorthEscambia.com will continue to follow this story and publish additional details as they become available.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Increasing Threat Of Severe Weather For Tuesday
February 22, 2016
There is an elevated threat of severe weather for Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night for the North Escambia area, while a small portion of the area is in the significant threat area (see graphic). Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 71. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers. Patchy fog after 3am. Low around 55. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday: A chance of rain, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 9am. Some of the storms could be severe. Cloudy, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 3am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3am. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 56. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 58. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 36. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 35.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Tornado Flattens Century’s Job Hopes
February 22, 2016
When an EF-3 tornado slammed into Century last Monday, it not only damaged or destroyed dozens of homes, it also blew away a large part of Century’s economic development hopes for new jobs.
The former Alger-Sullivan Lumber property just off Front Street was heavily damaged, including a collapse of the rear portion of the largest building.
The property was one of two available large industrial facilities available for sale in the town, and local officials had hoped to one day land a new manufacturing plant and jobs for the economically-depressed town.
“It was one of our big hopes. We had somebody in here two weeks ago that was looking favorably at putting in something,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. “It hurts us when we see that it’s down.”
Before the tornado, the former Alger-Sullivan property included 330,200 square feet in eight buildings on 38 acres, all zoned commercial and located near the railroad with a CSX spur available. Local real estate listings show a $1.5 million asking price on the property, which is owned by a group of investors based in Destin, before the tornado.
But, sometimes the eternal optimist, the mayor quipped that perhaps someone can get a good deal on the damaged property.
“The people that own it might take less money for it and hopefully a good builder would come in here then and take advantage of that and build up some of the buildings and get something going, McCall said.
Century’s other available large industrial location is the former Helicopter Technology building on Industrial Boulevard. It is move-in ready 40,000 square feet was not damaged by the tornado.
Pictured top: A ground level view of the back of the main building at the former Alger Sullivan Lumber Company in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tornado Recovery: WIC Service Return Tuesday To Healthy Start
February 22, 2016
The Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition’s Century location suffered heavy roof damage in last Monday afternoon’s tornado. Rain poured into the building, wetting office supplies, furniture and computers in the county-owned building.
Thanks to an all-out effort by Escambia County’s Facilities Management department, WIC services in the building will be back up and running on Tuesday for pregnant women, children and babies. The interior of the building has been repaired and cleaned. A new roof will be installed soon, but for now tarps are providing protection against the elements.
The Century location of Escambia County Health Start will open at 9 a.m. Tuesday for WIC services.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Council To Meet; Discuss Tornado, Liquor Store
February 22, 2016
The Century Town Council will meet tonight to hear the latest on tornado relief and conduct regular business that was rescheduled from last week.
The council was set for a regular meeting last Monday at 7 p.m., but the council did not meet due to a tornado and a local state of emergency.
Among the regular business items on the agenda is a variance that would be needed for a new liquor store to open on North Century Boulevard.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
February 22, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this week as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29, Escambia County – Intermittent and alternating lane closures within the town of Century and from Champion Drive north continue.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) over Eleven Mile Creek Bridge- East and westbound traffic reduced to one lane at the bridge as crews perform construction activities.
- I-10 Widening, Escambia County – Alternating lane closures between Davis Highway (Exit 13) and Scenic Highway (Exit 17) from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. the week of Monday, Feb. 22. as crews perform paving and shoulder work. The speed limit on I-10 between Davis Highway and Scenic Highway is reduced to 60 mph.
- State Road (S.R.) 289 (9th Avenue), Escambia County – Crews continue paving operations between the intersection of Bayou Boulevard and Creighton Road. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists will also encounter intermittent and alternating daytime lane closures between Fairfield Drive and Cervantes Street as crews adjust manholes and valves.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) at the intersection of Scenic Highway Circle, Escambia County – Emergency repair work continues. New stormwater pipe will be installed beneath Scenic Highway. Traffic flaggers will be on site to assist with traffic control as construction vehicles enter and exit the work area. The repair work will take about two months to complete.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening, Santa Rosa County – Alternating lane closures between the Escambia Bay Bridge and S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 21 through Thursday, Feb. 25 as crews perform construction activities. In addition, the southbound travel lanes on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange will be closed during this time. One lane of traffic will be open in each direction in the northbound lanes. The closures will allow crews to perform pile driving operations. The speed limit on I-10, between the Escambia Bay Bridge and Avalon Boulevard, is reduced to 60 mph.
- U.S. 90 Milton, Santa Rosa County- Alternating lane closures near the Marquis Bayou Bridge 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, Feb. 22. as crews play final layer of asphalt and install traffic separator. Traffic flaggers will be on site to safely direct traffic through the work zone.
- US 98, Santa Rosa County- Alternating lane closures from the Gulf Breeze Zoo to the Okaloosa County line 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through the end of Feb as crews perform striping operations.
- Drivers will encounter daytime and nighttime traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Santa Rosa County through the end of Feb. as crews perform striping and pavement marking operations.
- U.S. 90 just east of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to S.R. 87and west end of Blackwater Bridge to the east end of Blackwater Bridge.
- S.R. 87 (Stewart Street) from U.S. 90 to north end of Clear Creek Bridge.
- S.R. 89 (By-Pass) from U.S. 90 to S.R. 87.
- S.R. 89 from S.R. 87 to County Road 178.
- U.S. 98, Santa Rosa County- Alternating lane closures between Central Parkway and the Gulf Breeze Zoo from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday through the end of February. Crews will also mill and pave crossovers and side streets through the end of February.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Pictured top: Sidewalk work, including some lane closures, continues in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Legal Assistance Available For Tornado Victims
February 22, 2016
Legal Services of North Florida will be at the Century Business Center located at 150 E. Pond Street in Century on from 9 a.m. to 1 pm. and Friday, February 26 from noon to 4 p.m. to meet with income eligible tornado victims who cannot receive assistance due to outstanding title issues with their homes. Staff will be on hand to accept applications, meet with clients, gather information, and provide advice and services. This service is funded in part by Escambia County.
Additionally, residents may visit Legal Services of North Florida’s office between 8:30 and 3 p.m., Monday-Thursday at 1741 N Palafox St. They may also request an application be mailed by calling (850) 432-8222. For more information, call Legal Services of North Florida at (850) 432-8222.
Good Day! It’s National FFA Week
February 22, 2016
It’s National FFA Week in Escambia County, according to a proclamation issued by the Escambia County Commission. The commission commended the county’s FFA chapters, members, parents and advisors and all who support agriscience education and the development of future leaders. Pictured at the county commission proclamation presentation from the Tate High School FFA are Austin Courson, Rachel Grammer, Tori Kelson, Cora Andrews, Patra Miller, Amber Neal, Commissioner Steven Berry and Melissa Gibbs. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Flips Pickup Into Water-Filled Ditch
February 22, 2016
A driver as no where to be found when a pickup truck was found flipped into a water-filled ditch on Becks Lake Road in Cantonment Sunday night.
Firefighters search the truck and ditch for any signs of a victim, but nothing was found. It appeared the driver had fled the scene before the arrival of first responders.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Showers And Thunderstorms Becoming Likely
February 22, 2016
Here is your official NorthEscambia area forecast:
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 70. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then showers likely. Low around 57. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Some of the storms could be severe. Cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 57. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday: A chance of showers before noon, then a slight chance of rain after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 58. West wind 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 37. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 58.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 61.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.