State EMA Director Tours Tornado Damage, Looking For State Aid
February 18, 2016
Concern over tornado recovery efforts in Century continued to mount Wednesday as residents learned that the area likely won’t qualify for FEMA assistance. But one state department leader says his agency will work to find any available state dollars to assist.
Gov. Rick Scott visited with Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan in Pensacola for a briefing on the EF-3 tornado and recovery efforts, but Scott did not visit Century. Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management Bryan Koon did visit Century — first attending a briefing with Escambia County and Century leaders at the Century Fire Station.
NorthEscambia.com was along with County Administrator Jack Brown and Dosh as Koon was driven around the damaged areas in Century for about 25 minutes, but he never got out of the truck or talked with any of the tornado victims.
“I talked to the folks with the city commission and the county commission, some of the emergency managers. I’ve talked to some of the volunteer organizations involved with that and I think that gave me a pretty good idea of what the situation looks like on the ground,” he said. “”We got a good idea of just how badly the storm impacted the community,” he said. “I saw a real sense of community here in Century. I was pleased about that and their effort to get back up on their feet as quickly as possible.”
“I’ll take the data and what I have seen today back to Tallahassee and start working with the other state agencies that are involved in this sort of thing,” he said. “We’ll start looking at what are the types of assistance that may be available. in these kinds of situations. It’s might be through the Small Business Administration, it might be through the Florida Housing Finance Cooperation, it might be through Volunteer Florida. There’s a lot of stuff going on here through Escambia County, BRACE and other organizations. So we are going to go back and piece together all of the different opportunities that may be available to the citizens to help them recover.’
But it may be weeks before Century sees any funding the state might find.
“It’s not as fast as possible, unfortunately. The best case scenario is that you’ve got insurance, and your insurance agent comes out here and writes you a check,” Koon said. “But I know for many of these citizens that don’t have insurance the recovery process can take a little while for the governmental processes to understand what is going on and spin up. So it could be a couple of weeks before they would see any of the assistance..”
Of the 110 homes that impacted by the storm, most were probably not covered by insurance, according to Brown.
Escambia County Emergency Management Director John Dosh said a federal disaster declaration from the White House would require documented losses of over $25 million in the county. He said it is extremely unlikely for the tornado damage to totals to be anywhere near $25 million. Without the federal disaster declaration, FEMA funds will not be released.
“Our hearts go out to anybody that was impacted by this storm; we are going to go back and see everything we can to help them get back up on their feet,” Koon said. “This is one of those situation where we really want to do everything we can to get the community back up because it looks like a strong community, and old community that’s been here a long time. A very close-knit community judging by what I saw out there today…we will work with every agency we can and find out how we can bring assistance.”
Pictured top: Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown (left) discusses tornado recovery with Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management Bryan Koon Wednesday afternoon in Century. Pictured below: (L-R) Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry, Florida Department of Economic Development Director Cissy Proctor, Century Council President Ben Boutwell and Florida Division of Emergency Management Bryan Koon Wednesday afternoon at the Century Fire Station, which was being used as a command center. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Declares State Of Emergency
February 18, 2016
The Town of Century officially declared a state of emergency Wednesday afternoon.
The emergency declaration allows the mayor, or his representative, to make emergency purchases and repairs outside the normal day to day limits imposed by the town charter. It also allows the town to seek additional public assistance and implement emergency plans.
Escambia County is also expected to declare a local state of emergency due to tornado damage in areas outside Century.
Our View: Gov. Scott Should Look Tornado Victims In The Eye
February 18, 2016
Governor Rick Scott was in Pensacola Wednesday, visiting with Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan to learn about the tornado damage in Century.
Really governor? You just can’t set foot in North Escambia? We are extremely disappointed and want to know where is the compassion in that?
We’ve been behind the scenes – in the command post and in the midst of the destruction since just minutes after the tornado hit. The Sheriff’s Office has done an excellent and commendable job in Century, so Sheriff Morgan was certainly qualified to relate information about the situation. We have nothing but praise for the hard working men and women of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and their response to the Century tornado. The Sheriff and his department are not any part of our issue.
Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown, Commissioner Steven Barry, Century Council President Ben Boutwell and very long list of county department heads and key personnel were in Century Wednesday afternoon and could have filled you in , as they did your EMA director that did visit. He took a 25 minute vehicle tour of the damage, but, strangely enough, never stepped outside the vehicle in the damaged area to speak to a single victim.
But to not set foot in Century was, in our view, inexcusable for the top leader of our state that was instead inside an office just 45 miles away. The “at a distance” meeting was nothing more than a slap in the face to those in their time of suffering.
Let us remind you, that according to 2008–2012 American Community Survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Century is the poorest town (over 1,000 population) in the entire state. Century is anything but a poster child for your “Let’s Get To Work” campaign. But this should not have been about politics, political parties or political ambitions.
This is about the elderly lady that lived near Jefferson Avenue. She worked hard, very hard, for 60-70 years for what she had until Monday’s tornado. She begged us Monday for information about her home, but we had been unable to reach it. On Tuesday, we climbed over downed trees, and power lines and fences to get pictures of her home. We found her later in the day helping her neighbors and were able to show her photos of her destroyed home. We held her as she cried.
This is about the Healthy Start office that was flooded due to roof damage. We stopped by and helped them pour water out of their computers. They don’t know how they are going to provide WIC services next week for the babies they serve.
This is about standing in the shadows of the Lord’s house…the historic Methodist Church moved from it’s foundation. This is about talking to church members and learning that the wooden building may be off its foundation, but the church — the people — remain firm in their foundation and praise for the Lord.
This is about walking the streets and seeing the magnitude of the destruction and understanding that pictures, or a briefing from officials is not the same. But you know that Governor, from your visit last month to see the Siesta Key tornado damage, like a roof ripped off a condo building by the EF-2 tornado. For those that don’t know, Siesta Key has an average family income four or five times that of Century.
It’s about the people in Century who don’t know what they will do without state and federal aid as they look at their homes in shambles, their belongings scattered everywhere. Many of them honestly didn’t have much in this old world. But sometimes when have very little you treasure it more.
This is about the lady with no insurance on Pond Street who now has no home. Yes, she could have done the responsible thing and purchased insurance, but she chose to work the best job she could find and use the money on other things…like food for her children. Oh, and by the way Governor, her little kids are still looking for their beloved cat. He’s a grey tabby with “big and sad” eyes, and the kids are more worried about him than they are their home with no roof.
Those are just a few of the things you can learn walking through the destruction in Century.
Governor, Century is not just your state’s poorest little town. It’s a place full of people rich beyond belief in their love for their little town and each other. Perhaps you have to deny them assistance under existing state and federal regulations, but the least you could have done is stood with them and looked them in the eye.
EMA: 109 Structures Damaged Or Destroyed By Tornado
February 18, 2016
New information Wednesday afternoon from Escambia County Emergency Management indicates that 109 structures, mostly homes, were damaged in Florida by Monday’s tornado. The EF-3 tornado carved a 16.5 mile path up to 330 yards wide from Lambert Bridge Road near McDavid into Alabama. The tornado was at its worst as it tore through Century.
Escambia County Emergency Management Director John Dosh said 38 structures were destroyed, 36 received heavy damage and 35 were otherwise damaged by the tornado.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Have ‘Coffee With A Cop’ Today In Cantonment
February 18, 2016
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will host a “Coffee With a Cop” this afternoon at 5:30 at the Greater First Baptist Church of Cantonment.
The Coffee with a Cop event provides an opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about what the ESCO is doing in their neighborhood.
Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the county, as local police departments, sheriff’s offices, and state police forces strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve. The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between law enforcement and community members one cup of coffee at a time.
Pictured: A previous “Coffee With a Cop” event in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
FHP: Man Runs Red Light, Causes Fatal Crash
February 18, 2016
A 68-year old Escambia County woman was killed in a three-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 32-year old Darrel Earl Daise ran a red light at intersection of Lillian Highway and 69th Avenue, colliding with a Toyota Camry driven by a 73-year old female.
Daise’s Chevrolet Tahoo then rolled over, rolling over the top of Grand Caravan driven by 68-year old Carline Ann Pepper. Pepper was transported to a local hospital were she was later pronounced deceased.
The Camry driver and Daise suffered serious injuries in the crash. Charges against Daise are pending, according to the FHP.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Days Later: Century Pharmacy Back Serving The Community
February 18, 2016
The Century Pharmacy was finally able to open their doors Wednesday, two days after the devastating EF-3 tornado hit Century.
The pharmacy on Mayo Street was in the hardest hit area of Century, an area that was closed to residents and business owners until Wednesday. The tornado blew out the store’s windows and caused other exterior damage like a torn-off awning. A downed tree cut natural gas service to the store’s generator.
By late Wednesday morning, the gas was back on and the store was running on generator power, and Gulf Power was able to make repairs and restore electric power by late afternoon.
“We have always been able to open the day after the storm in the past,” pharmacist and owner Julie Booth-Moran said, “even after the hurricanes. People depend on us for their medications. This was very hard to accept.”
Moran and her employees spent their morning cleaning up and getting ready to open as a steady stream of area residents stopped by to make sure that everyone was OK.
Pictured top: Century Pharmacy owner Julie Booth-Moran talks to a customer on the phone as she watches as Gulf Power work to restore electric service to the Mayo Street business in Century late Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
At A Glance: Tornado Recovery Need To Know, Where To Get Help
February 18, 2016
In the aftermath of the Century tornado:
Where To Get/Give Help
- Farm Share is partnering with Senator Greg Evers and Representatives Doug Broxson, Mike Hill, and Clay Ingram to sponsor a disaster relief food distribution on Saturday, February 20, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Century Community Center, on West Highway 4. Families in need after the devastation of the tornado earlier this week will be given food and supply bags free of charge from Farm Share. Each household will receive a variety of fresh produce, canned & dried food, water, juice, paper products, and other needed essentials. Supplies are very limited and will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis to tornado victims.
- Donations can be made to the Florida Baptist Convention and designated for “Century Tornado” for direct use to assist Century area residents. Contact any Southern Baptist Church for more information.
- The shelter at the Century Community Center on West Highway 4 closed Wednesday night. The center will be open on Thursday as a reception center to host people in need of assistance. While there, clients can meet with volunteers who will help with essential items, provide health and mental health services, as needed, and help plan their next steps to recovery. The center will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday.
- The Abundant Life Assembly of God Church is accepting donations of food, toiletries and cleaning supplies at 8040 North Century Boulevard.
- Feeding the Gulf Coast, together with Flomaton Pentecostal Holiness Church and several local volunteer groups and churches in Flomaton and Brewton, are distributing 5,000 pounds of free groceries, hot meals, and clothing to families affected by the February 15 tornado in Flomaton, Alabama. The distribution will take place on Thursday, February 18 from 2 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the Flomaton Pentecostal Holiness Church.
- The Town of Century is in the process of setting up a fund to help town residents.
Essential Information
- Residents are asked to go to the Century Community Center for assistance
- Residents must go through Century Town Hall for permits and construction. All fees are being waived by the town for disaster related permits.
Damage Assessments
- Damage assessments now show 25 major impacts, 29 minor impacts and 30 structures destroyed
- The National Weather Service determined the tornado that hit Century to be a strong EF2, weak EF3.
Red Cross
- The Century Community Center (6001-A Industrial Boulevard) is open and the Red Cross is on scene for assistance until 7 p.m. tonight; will re-open at 9 a.m.
- The Red Cross now has case workers available
- They will continue to provide food, water and comfort supplies
- The Red Cross will not operate a shelter tonight
Relief Resources
- Visit Century Community Center and let Red Cross know you are there for one of the following purposes:
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- To register for assistance (such as debris removal and salvage of belongings)
- Disaster volunteer check-in (Do not self-deploy. Please register at the community center)
- Red Cross Shelter (for temporary shelter relief)
- Food (provided by Atmore Tribal Creek Indians)
- Additional Resources available at Abundant Life Assembly of God Church. They are providing food, water and clothing for anyone who needs it. Donations accepted. 8040 Century Blvd. 850-256-5227
Power Companies
- EREC has restored power to those areas able to receive electricity
- Gulf Power has restored power to all houses that are able to receive electricity
Debris Pickup
Residents are asked to separate vegetative debris from all other types and place on the right of way.
Pictured: A food distribution even for tornado victims Wednesday at the Abundant Life Assembly of God in Century.
Tornado Recovery: The Power Of Prayer
February 18, 2016
Pictured: Two men pray together at the Abundant Life Assembly of God in Century during a food distribution event for tornado victims Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Senate Gambling Bill Doubles Down On Slots
February 18, 2016
Pari-mutuels in at least six counties could add slot machines, under a measure approved Wednesday by a Senate committee that set the House and Senate at odds over a $3 billion gambling deal inked by Gov. Rick Scott and the Seminole Tribe.
The gambling package approved by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee authorizes the Seminole agreement, called a compact, but includes significant changes that would force further negotiations for the deal to go into effect.
“We are not back to square one, at all,” committee Chairman Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, told reporters after the meeting.
Under the compact signed by Scott and tribal leader James Billie in December, the tribe would add craps and roulette to its casino operations in exchange for a guarantee of $3 billion in payments to the state over seven years.
Many people believed that a compact would never be signed, Bradley said.
“That got done. Then came the idea that there’s no way this thing could ever get out of a committee in the Florida Senate. It got out of a committee today. So we are continuing to make progress. That does not mean that it’s a sure thing to get done. Challenges still remain. But we are where I think we need to be,” he said.
The House is considering a less expansive proposal that would ratify the agreement and allow slots at the Palm Beach Kennel Club and at a new facility in Miami-Dade County, items permitted but not expressly authorized by the compact.
Bradley had floated a nearly identical measure earlier this month, but held off on a vote after Sen. Joe Negron, slated to take over as Senate president later this year, filed a series of amendments last week.
Under one of Negron’s amendments folded into the bill (SB 7072) Wednesday, pari-mutuels could add slots in six counties where voters have approved the machines — and other counties where voters sign off on them in the future. Bradley voted against the amendment. The six counties are Brevard, Gadsden, Hamilton, Lee, Palm Beach and Washington.
The Senate plan now also would allow horse and dog tracks, as well as jai alai frontons, to do away with live racing or jai alai matches altogether, a process known as decoupling, while keeping more lucrative gambling operations, such as slot machines and cardrooms.
The House proposal would allow decoupling of greyhound racing and most horse racing, but would keep thoroughbred races intact at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs. Jai alai frontons would also be required to keep operating live matches.
Negron insisted that the changes to the compact struck by Scott and the tribe were necessary to keep the measure alive.
“If you have a pure compact, and that’s all you have, it’s not going to pass out of this committee,” Negron, R-Stuart, said before the vote. “It’s very important that we have geographic concerns echoed in the amendment, and I think we can go back to the Seminole tribe and negotiate out a compact.”
The Senate plan now includes $45 million for thoroughbred purse pools — $20 million from payments from the Seminoles and $25 million from slots and cardroom revenues at pari-mutuels that decouple. The House proposal would earmark $10 million for the purse pools, a sweetener for the horse industry, which, in general, opposes decoupling of any type.
The Senate committee rejected an attempt by Negron to include in the gambling bill an amendment that would authorize fantasy sports in the state. Proponents of the popular online games, including Negron, insist that the games are legal in Florida, but some attorneys general elsewhere in the country contend that the activity equates to online gambling, which is illegal in most states.
The committee, however, inserted language — also sponsored by Negron — into a separate compact-related bill (SB 7074) that would amend the agreement to allow for fantasy sports without affecting the tribe’s payments to the state.
The future of the Senate proposal remained in doubt Wednesday evening. Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, now must refer the measure to another committee before it is ready for a full vote by the chamber.
House Regulatory Affairs Chairman Jose Felix Diaz, who worked with Bradley and Scott’s top staff for months to nail down the accord with the tribe, said that he wants state economists to evaluate the economic impact of the Senate changes. As a result, a vote from the House Finance and Tax Committee, expected next week, will be delayed, Diaz said.
Reaching consensus before the session ends on March 11 could be problematic, but Diaz remained hopeful.
“This bill will be touch and go all the way through to the end. I’m optimistic that there’s a path forward. I just don’t know what it is,” Diaz, R-Miami, said Wednesday evening. “It’s going to take some creativity and a lot of time.”
by The News Service of Florida