Scientists Officially Upgrade Hurricane Michael To Category 5
April 20, 2019
Scientists at the National Hurricane Center have officially upgraded Hurricane Michael to a category 5 storm.
They have made the final determination that the wind speed of the storm was 160 mph, 5 mph over the original estimate, at the time of landfall on October 10, 2018, near Mexico Beach and Tyndall Air Force Base.
Michael is the first hurricane to make landfall in the United States as a category 5 since Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and only the fourth on record. The others are the Labor Day Hurricane in 1935 and Hurricane Camille in 1969. Michael is also the strongest hurricane landfall on record in the Florida Panhandle and only the second known category 5 landfall on the northern Gulf coast.
The real-time operational intensity estimate was 155 mph. The final best track intensity estimate of 160 mph was determined by a review of the available aircraft winds, surface winds, surface pressures, satellite intensity estimates and Doppler radar velocities – including data and analyses that were not available in real time. The 5 mph increase in the estimated maximum sustained wind speed from the operational estimate is small and well within the normal range of uncertainty, according to the National Weather Service.
Category 5 winds were likely experienced over a very small area at and near the coast, and the change in estimated wind speeds is of little practical significance in terms of the impacts associated with the storm. Michael produced devastating winds and storm surge and was directly responsible for 16 deaths and about $25 billion in damage in the United States. Before hitting the United States, the cyclone brought hurricane-force winds to the western tip of Cuba when it was a category 2 Hurricane.
Along with wind speed, atmospheric pressure is a measure of storm intensity. In general, the lower a storm’s central pressure, the higher the winds. Michael’s central pressure of 919 millibars (mb) at landfall is the third lowest on record for a landfalling U. S. hurricane since reliable records began in 1900, trailing only the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 (892 mb) and Hurricane Camille of 1969 (900 mb).
Pictured: Mexico Beach just days after after Hurricane Michael. NorthEsambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Split Doubleheader In Biloxi
April 20, 2019
The Pensacola Blue Wahoo split a doubleheader in Biloxi Friday. Pensacola took game one 9-1, and fell in game two 4-3.
Game One
The Blue Wahoos came out swinging in game one of their Friday night double header in Biloxi, using a pair of home runs and another brilliant outing from Griffin Jax on their way to a 9-1 victory.
Pensacola scored four times in the third inning. Brian Navarreto led off the inning with a double and Mark Contreras followed by reaching on a walk. A fielding error by Biloxi pitcher Alec Bettinger on a Jordan Gorec comebacker allowed Navarreto to score. Brian Schales followed with a three-run home run to make it 4-0.
With the lead, Jax was brilliant. The Air Force grad entered the game with the best ERA in the league and delivered 6.0 stellar innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out five. Major League rehabber Gabriel Moya added a scoreless inning of relief after Jax’s strong outing.
Navarreto was 3-4 in the game with 3 RBI, including a three-run home run in seventh and a double. Mark Conteras was 2-3 with an RBI.
Game Two
For the fifth time this season, the Blue Wahoos played in a game that ended with a 4-3 final score, this time ending on the losing end in game two.
Biloxi took an early 2-0 lead, scoring twice in the home half of the first on a throwing error, stolen base, and three consecutive singles.
Pensacola answered with two of their own in the top of the second. Mitchell Kranson opened the inning with a solo home run. Caleb Hamilton followed with a triple and scored on an RBI ground out by Taylor Grzelakowski.
A single, balk, and subsequent RBI single by C.J. Hinojosa gave Biloxi the lead back in the third inning against Blue Wahoos starter Andro Cutura, but the Blue Wahoos again answered the following inning, using a double by Brian Schales, a ground out to move him over, and a wild pitch to tie the game.
Jeff Ames entered in relief of Cutura (3.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) in the bottom of the fourth. A pair of walks and an RBI single by Michael O’Neill gave the Shuckers the lead back at 4-3.
The score held there as Biloxi relievers Angel Perdomo (W, 2.1 IP, 0 H, 5 K) and Nate Griep (S, 1.0 IP, 0 R) combined to close out the game and preserve the win for the Shuckers.
Death Of Pollard Woman Ruled As Accidental Drowning
April 19, 2019
The cause of death has been released for the Pollard, AL, woman who went missing days before her body was found in the Escambia River.
The autopsy report says 74-year old Eva McBride accidently drowned.
McBride was last seen at her home on November 23 on McBride Circle, east of Flomaton and very near the Alabama/Florida line. Her home is located less than a mile from the Conecuh River, which becomes the Escambia River in Florida.
Her body was found December 9 in Santa Rosa County about a mile south of the Terrell’s Landing boat ramp off Oil Plant Road, upriver from Fischer Landing in Century.
The autopsy report also states she also suffered from dementia.
Florida House Approves Lower Minimum Age For Corrections Officers
April 19, 2019
The Florida House has unanimously passed a bill that allows 18-year old corrections officers in Florida.
The minimum age for a corrections officer in Florida is currently 19. The 18-year old minimum, if it becomes law, would apply not only to the state prison system, but also to county jails in an effort to solve staffing issues.
A similar bill is moving through the Senate. The effort is backed by the Florida Department of Corrections.
The bill also would keep drones away from prisons in an effort to crack down on contraband.
Pictured: Inside a prisoner dorm at Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Escambia Man Gets Three Life Sentences For Attempted Murder Of Three Deputies
April 19, 2019
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to three consecutive life sentences for the attempted murder of three Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
Demetric Denario Carter was convicted of three counts of attempted first degree premeditated murder with a firearm on a law enforcement officer. A jury also found Carter to be in actual possession of a firearm and that he discharged the firearm. The conviction carries a mandatory life sentence. The case was tried in front of Circuit Judge Jeff Burns and sentencing is currently set for April 17.
On October 27, 2017, Carter entered the Warrington Bank on Barrancas Avenue. He approached one of the tellers and told her to call the police. He then stated he did not want to take it out on them and to tell the police to meet him behind the bank. Law enforcement responded and made contact with Carter and it was discovered he had a firearm in his back pocket. After repeatedly telling Carter to get on the ground and to keep his hands visible, a taser was displayed. when carter reached and grabbed the firearm, the taser was deployed. carter then fired several shots in the direction of three deputies who returned fire.
Carter has several prior convictions including convictions for aggravated assault by threat with a firearm, domestic battery by strangulation, fleeing or attempting to elude a leo in an agency vehicle with siren and lights activated, sell, manufacture, deliver or possess a controlled substance with intent, possession of controlled substance (over 20 grams of cannabis), possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with no valid driver’s license, possession of prescription drugs without prescription, resisting an officer without violence, battery, and possession of a controlled substance (less than 20 grams of cannabis). He had just been released from prison 10 months prior to this incident.
Good Friday, Egg Hunts And Easter Services Planned
April 19, 2019
Here are Good Friday and Easter services and events planned in the North Escambia area:
Quintette Community Easter Egg Hunt
An Easter Egg hunt will be held at the Quintette Community Center on Saturday, April 20. Activities begin at 11:30 with the Easter Egg hunt starting at noon. There will also be free food, bounce house, snow cones, games, and prizes. The Quintette Community Center is located at 2490 Quintette Lane in Cantonment.
Farm Hill Methodist Egg Hunt
Farm Hill Methodist Church is holding an Easter egg hunt on Saturday at noon at 1251 Muscogee Road.
Enon Community Egg Hunt
Enon Baptist Church will host an Easter egg hunt on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at 7121 Hwy 97A in Walnt Hill. Plenty of food for the family with fun and games for children of all ages.
Community SonRise Service
Marcus Pointe Baptist Church will host the annual Community SonRise Service to be held Easter Sunday, April 21, at 6 a.m., at the Blue Wahoos Stadium in Pensacola. For more information contact Robbie Harvey at (850) 479-8337.
Aldgersgate UMC Molino Easter
Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino will host a Good Friday service at 5:30 p.m. and a Community Easter Sunrise Service at 6 a.m. on Easter Sunday. Refreshments and fellowship will follow.
Cantonment Easter Celebration
Victory Assembly of God will celebrate the risen Lord and Savior at 10:30 a.m. on Easter Sunday. Sunday School begins at 9:30 a.m.
Walnut Hill Sunrise Service
Walnut Hill Baptist Church will hold a sunrise service at 6 a.m. Sunday. No Sunday school. Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. with the choir’s Easter cantata. There will be no evening service.
Highland Baptist, Molino Easter
Highland Baptist Church in Molino will have their annual Easter Egg Hunt and Family Devotion at 9:30 a.m. Sunday followed by Easter worship at 10:45 a.m.
Harvest Christian Center Cantonment Easter
Harvest Christian Center of Cantonment will host two special Easter services on Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m. with contemporary music, relevant message, an Egg hunt during children’s church, family photo opportunity and more. 1095 Muscogee Road.
Lathram Chapel UMC Easter Events
Lathram Chapel United Methodist Church at 2690 Jacks Branch Road will hold a Good Friday service at 6 p.m.; an Easter egg hunt Saturday at 10 a.m.; and Easter Sunday services with Bible and Breakfast at 9 a.m. and regular service at 10 a.m.
First Baptist Church Cottage Hill Easter
The First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill at 230 Williams Ditch Road will host a sunrise service at 6 a.m. followed by breakfast and fellowship. There will be no Sunday School, and he regular service will be held at 10:45 a.m.
Century UMC Easter
Century United Methodist Church will hold their Easter service at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Crossfaith Church Easter
Crossfaith Church in Molino will hold a Night of Worship and Communion on Good Friday beginning at 7 p.m. There will be an Easter Celebration for kids from 9-12 with games and an egg hunt. There will be a Resurrection Service at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
Trinity Lutheran Church Easter
Trinity Lutheran Church in Cantonment will host a Good Friday service at 7 p.m., Easter sunrise service at 7 a.m., Easter breakfast 8-9:30 a.m., Easter egg hunt 9am and Easter Sunday worship service at 10 a.m.
Park Place Baptist
Park Place Baptist Church on Lakeview Avenue will have an egg hunt and activities for the children on Saturday from 3-5 p.m. and an 11 a.m. Easter service on Sunday.
Northbound Highway 29 Ramps At Nine Mile Road To Close Through Monday
April 19, 2019
The northbound Highway 29 off and on-ramps at Nine Mile Road in Escambia County will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday, April 19 to 6 a.m. Monday, April 22 to provide safe work zones for crews to construct partial segments of the future off and on-ramps. The following detour will be in place:
- Nine Mile Road to Highway 29 northbound - Palafox Street, 9 ½ Mile Road, to U.S. 29.
- Highway 29 northbound to Nine Mile Road – W. Hood Drive, Palafox Street, to Nine Mile Road.
Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers should use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the work zone, and watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Storms Cause Power Outages, Minor Problems
April 19, 2019
By 2:30 a.m. Friday, storms had caused few problems in the North Escambia area:
- The largest single power outage Thursday night in the North Escambia area was reported about 8:40 p.m. with 430 Escambia River Electric customers in the dark from Oak Grove south to Barrineau Park.
- A downed power line was reported on Molino Road just east of Highway 95A. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
- About 11:30 p.m. a small tree was reported down alongside Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill after a second round of storms. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
- At midnight, a power line was reported down and arcing at West State Line and Shady Lane in Century. The downed line sparked a small grass fire and left 125 EREC customers without power. The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
- At 1:13 a.m., a tree was reported in the roadway at Nine Mile Road and I-10.. The Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
- At about 2:30 a.m. Gulf Power reported nearly 2,100 customers without power in Escambia County, 11 in Santa Rosa County. Escambia River Electric reported 850 customers without power, with 206 of those in Escambia County.
Tate Softball Blanks Washington 16-0; Northview Shuts Out Baker 12-0
April 19, 2019
Tate 16, Washington 0
The Tate Lady Aggies shut out Washington 16-0 Friday.
Amber Decoux led the Aggies with a grand slam in the first.
Abbie Burks pitched a complete game win, going three innings, allowing no runs on only one hit, striking out four and walking none.
Northview 12 Baker 0
The Northview Lady Chiefs beat Baker 12-0 in six innings Friday.
Tori Herrington pitched the win with eight strikeouts. She was 2-3 at bat with one RBI. Also for Northview: Ashley Ragsdale 1-3; Aubree Love 2-4; Kailyn Watson 2-4, 2RBI; Makayla Jeneske 1-4, 2RBI; Nevaeh Brown 2-4; 3RBI; Heather Knowles 1-3.
Clouds, Cool And Maybe A Shower Today, 40s Tonight
April 19, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 41. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 49. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81.