Hurricane Irma Claims Mount — Including 90 Claims In Escambia County
September 26, 2017
Property-insurance claims from Hurricane Irma continue to mount, nearing $3.6 billion in estimated insured losses as of a weekend count — including 90 claims for damage in Escambia County.
As of Saturday night, 562,262 claims had been filed, with the estimated losses at $3,579,859,034, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. The largest number of claims, 63,823, had been filed in Miami-Dade County, the state website said. Others with large numbers included Orange County, with 48,505 claims; Broward County, with 43,845 claims; and Lee County, with 41,799 claims.
Hurricane Irma struck the Florida Keys on Sept. 10 and then made a second landfall in Collier County, moving up the entire length of the state before exiting as a tropical storm on September 11. The insurance claims show the heaviest property losses appear to be in the southern portion of the state, where the storm was in its most powerful stages.
Of the 90 claims filed in Escambia County to date, 21 claims have been paid, nine have been closed with no payment and 60 remain open.
Wednesday: See You At The Pole
September 26, 2017
The annual See You at the Pole rally will be held Wednesday morning at several North Escambia area schools.
Students will gather as school begins to pray in the non-denominational event. See You at the Pole is a student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event. Students typically pray for their school, friends teachers, government and the nation — often meeting at their school’s flagpole.
Local See You at the Pole events include:
- Byrneville Elementary 7 a.m.
- Northview High School: 8:15 a.m.
- Ernest Ward Middle School 8:30 a.m.
- Molino Park Elementary School 7 a.m.
- Ransom Middle School 8:40 a.m.
- Tate High School 7:45 a.m.
- West Florida High School 7:45 a.m.
For more information, contact an individual school.
Submit See At The Pole photos from area schools to news@northescambia.com.
Pictured: See At the Pole events from last year. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
September 26, 2017
Jim Allen Elementary School has named Students of the Month for September. They are Austin King (left) and Dasia Vickers. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Proposal Would Pay Tuition For Some At Florida Colleges
September 26, 2017
A South Florida Democrat filed a proposal Monday that calls for the state to pay the tuition costs of many students at state colleges. Rep. Shevrin Jones, D-West Park, filed the measure (HB 181), which would create the “Sunshine Scholarship Program.” Under the proposal, the state would pay 100 percent of tuition costs for state-college students with household incomes of $125,000 or less. The proposal would impose other requirements, including that students would have to live and work in Florida for periods of time after finishing their studies or leaving college. Also, the funding would apply only to tuition, not other costs associated with college. The bill is filed for the 2018 legislative session, which starts in January.
by The News Service of Florida
Court Approves Class Action Lawsuit Against International Paper Over 2014 Flooding
September 25, 2017
A federal judge has approved a class action notice in a lawsuit against International Paper over flooding in several neighborhoods.
The class action suit against IP claims that flooding during record rainfall in April 2014 was caused by failure of the “Kingsfield Road Dam”, located on IP’s mill property in Cantonment. The plantiffs claim IP was negligent by not properly maintaining or removing the dam.
Chief Judge M. Casey Rodgers of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida has granted class action status to a lawsuit brought on behalf of owners of real property as of April 29, 2014, in the Bristol Park, Bristol
Woods, Bristol Creek, or Ashbury Hills subdivisions in Cantonment.
“We are pleased that the Federal Court has Certified this Class Action against International Paper, on behalf of the residents of Bristol Park and Asbury Hills subdivisions. We look forward to fighting for our clients at the trial which is set to begin February 20, 2018,” said J.J. Talbott, one of the plantiff attorneys in the case.
The lawsuit claims that between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m., a large “swell” or “wave” of water breached and overflowed into Eleven Mile Creek, including the Bristol Park and Ashbury Hills subdivisions, Devine Farms Road and other surrounding areas, as a result of International Paper’s dam or levee. Both residential areas are located in “Flood Zone X” on flood insurance maps, meaning they are not in special flood hazard areas and require no mandatory flood insurance.
The failure, the lawsuit asserts, was the result of IP’s negligence in maintaining the Eleven Mile Creek Dam and levee, failure to counteract continued development, failed to control debris buildup in and around the dam, and of a failure to notify those downstream of the potential or ultimate failure of the levee system.
The lawsuit seeks damages for loss and damage to personal and real property, diminished property values, loss of enjoyment, mental anguish, loss of income and additional expenses due to the flooding in the neighborhoods.
International Paper has denied responsibility for the flooding, contending that he flooding was caused by the rainfall during the April 29-30 storm.
In a May 2014 statement, International Paper told NorthEcambai.com:
“On April 29, 2014, the Pensacola Mill experienced the storm/flood event that the rest of the county experienced. There was significant erosion and wash-out of an inactive erosion control structure near Kingsfield Road. The structure was previously used to control erosion at this now abandoned outfall point, but it has been out of service since the mill completed transition to the pipeline in October of 2012.
“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have been directly affected by the area floods. Many of our team members were impacted by this event. On April 29, record storm water flows from across the entire 48-square mile watershed of Elevenmile creek rapidly exceeded the capacity of the creek. During and after the storm, the Pensacola mill continued to discharge to our pipeline, which bypasses the Elevenmile creek watershed. No part of the mill’s waste treatment facility failed or collapsed during or after the storm event. We have fully communicated with both state and local agencies regarding the impacts of the storm on the Pensacola mill.”
Pictured: Aerial photos provide by Attorney J.J Talbott show what he said is the failure a dam and levee owned by International Paper that allowed flood waters to rush down Eleven Mile Creek. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
More Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms For Monday
September 25, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise partly sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 91. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
September 25, 2017
Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County
· State Road (S.R.) 742 (Creighton Road) Driveway Construction- The eastbound outside lane on Creighton Road will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22 to 5 a.m. Saturday, Sept 23 as crews remove four driveway connections and construct a new driveway, sidewalk and curb/gutter.
· S.R.10A (Nine Mile Road) at Stephani Road Utility Relocation-The east and westbound turn lanes from Nine Mile Road to northbound Stefani Road will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, Sept 22, to Friday, Oct. 6 as ECUA perform utility relation work associated with the Nine Mile Road widening project.
· Interstate 10 (I-10)/U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10A and 10B) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 24 through Thursday, Sept. 28 as crews perform construction activities.
· Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound and U.S. 29 north and southbound.
· Intermittent closure of the U.S. 29 south to I-10 eastbound ramp and the U.S. 29 north to I-10 eastbound ramp. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
· Intermittent closure of the I-10 westbound to U.S. 29 south ramp (Exit 10A). Traffic will be detoured to Exit 10B.
· Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound to U.S. 29 north ramp (Exit 10B).
· I-10 Widening from Davis Highway to the Escambia Bay Bridge- Alternating east and westbound lane closures on I-10 between Davis Highway (Exit 13) and Scenic Highway (Exit 17), the westbound lanes of the Escambia Bay Bridge approaching Scenic Highway, and on Scenic Highway near the I-10 on- and off-ramps from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 24 through Thursday, Sept. 28 as crews perform construction activities
· U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews perform drainage and bridge operations as follows:
· Broad Street will be closed on the west side of the U.S. 29 intersection from 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22 through 6 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25 as crews place new drainage. Detroit Boulevard and Untreiner Avenue will be utilized as alternate routes. Detour signs and variable message boards are in place to alert drivers of the temporary road closure and detour route.
· Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: The nightly eastbound traffic shift onto the westbound inside travel lane continue as crews continue to prepare the area for construction of the support column for the new center bridge deck.
· U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews perform drainage operations.
· State Road (S.R.) 30 (U.S. 98) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Crews will be removing and grading the medians. Drivers can expect alternating east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 (Bayfront Parkway) between 14th Avenue and the bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25 through Saturday, Sept. 30. On Tuesday, Sept. 26, U.S. 98 westbound lane closures will be in effect 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
· State Road (S.R.) 289 (9th Avenue) at Carpenter Creek- North and southbound outside lanes of 9th Avenue, north of Carpenter Creek, will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26 as crews take core samples from the roadway.
· S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) at University Parkway Traffic Signal Project- Alternating eastbound lane closures on University Parkway at the intersection of Davis Highway and on Davis Highway turning west to University Parkway. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25 to 6 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26 as crews stripe the crosswalk on University Parkway.
· S.R. 10A(U.S. 98/Mobile Highway) Turn Lane Construction at Woodside Road Intersection- Woodside Road will be reduced one lane during daytime hours at the intersection of Mobile Highway Wednesday, Sept. 25 through Friday, Sept. 29 continue utility relocation efforts. There will be no lane closures within the school zone Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Traffic flaggers will be on site to direct traffic through the work zone. This work is being performed in relation to the current turn lane project.
· S.R. 291 (Wright Street) at Alcaniz Street Routine Maintenance- Drivers can expect alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26 and Wednesday, Sept. 27 as crews perform striping operations at the intersection.
· S.R. 742 (Creighton Road) Construction Improvement Project from east of Davis Highway to Scenic Highway– Sidewalk construction and Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades are ongoing. There will be intermittent and alternating lane closures from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. between Davis Highway and Scenic Highway.
· Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road to U.S. 29- Alternating lane closures continue on Untreiner Avenue as crews perform jack and bore operations.
· Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road- Westbound traffic on Nine Mile Road will be reduced from two to one travel lanes in each for approximately one-half-mile on either side of the I-10 overpass beginning Monday, October 2 as crews lower the elevation of the outside travel lanes. Drivers can expect the lane closures to remain in place until all work is complete.
Santa Rosa County
· U.S. 98 Turn Lane Construction Navarre- Westbound lane closure across from Joybrook Road in Navarre from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25 through Thursday, Sept. 28 as crews install turn lanes for a new Walmart Neighborhood Market.
· U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Crews will be grading, installing barrier wall, and performing drainage work this week. Drivers can expect alternating east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 near the bridge in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25 through Saturday, Sept. 30. On Tuesday, Sept. 26, U.S. 98 westbound lane closures will be in effect 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
· I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (Exit 22) – Widening along Interstate I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) continues. Alternating lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 24 through Thursday, Sept. 28. Reconstruction of the Avalon Boulevard overpass is also ongoing. Drivers expect alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange.
· S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB Boundary to Hickory Hammock Road –Traffic between County Road 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads under 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place through the completion of the project.
· U.S. 98 Utility Relocation in Gulf Breeze- East and westbound outside lanes near the Hampton Inn will be closed from 8 pm. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Sept 27 through Friday, Sept. 29 as crews relocate utilities for the City of Gulf Breeze in relation to the Pensacola Bay Bridge project.
· U.S. 90 Corridor Management Project from Fifth Avenue to Chavers Street- Safety improvements to add turn lanes, modify median openings, improve drainage on U.S. 90 from Fifth Avenue in Pace to Chavers Street in Milton will begin the week of Monday, Oct. 26. Lane closures will only be allowed from 8:30 p.m.to 5:30 a.m. The $694,364 project is slated for completion early 2018.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the construction zone, and to pay attention for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
ECUA To Begin Providing Sanitation Services In Town Of Jay
September 25, 2017
On Monday, October 2, the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) will begin providing sanitation collection services in the Town of Jay, under an agreement approved by the town’s council on September 18.
All services and rates will mirror those currently being offered by the ECUA to north end Santa Rosa County residents. These include weekly garbage and recycling services, yard trash pick-up every other week, and an optional weekly call-in bulk waste service. The service is billed on a quarterly basis and the current rate for residential sanitation service to the north Santa Rosa County area is $53.25. Commercial rates vary.
ECUA will begin delivering garbage and recycling cans to customers on September 30. To sign up for the service, interested residents and businesses may call ECUA customer service at 850-476-0480 or email customer.service@ecua.fl.gov. When requesting service, residents should include their name, service address, and a daytime telephone number. This information will expedite the registration process.
Information is also available on the ECUA website at http://www.ecua.fl.gov/services/sanitation-santa-rosa or on the Santa Rosa County website at http://www.santarosa.fl.gov/citizen-tools/index.cfm?Menu=75
Escambia EMA Assisting With Irma Recovery In Everglades City
September 25, 2017
The Northwest Florida All Hazards Incident Management Team from Escambia County Emergency Management and Santa Rosa County Emergency Management has deplyed to Everglades City to assist in Hurricane Irma recovery. Pictured above: Planning meeting held in Escambia County EMA’s command trailer. Pictured below: Escambia County EMA Chief John Dosh and Everglades City Clerk Dottie Joiner and her trusty dog Scooter. Courtesy Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Seeks Grant For Water, Wastewater Improvements
September 25, 2017
The Town of Century is applying for a USDA SEARCH (Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households) grant.
The grant allows financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and wastewater disposal projects.
Grant funds must be used to pay predevelopment planning costs including, feasibility studies to support applications for funding water or wastewater disposal projects; preliminary design and engineering analysis; and technical assistance for the development of an application for financial assistance.
The town will develop and submit an application to USDA Rural Development for financial assistance to fund proposed water and wastewater disposal improvements for the town.