Here Are Key Points From Escambia County Hurricane Sally Press Conference; Info On Power, Water, Gas
September 18, 2020
Here are key takeaway points from an Escambia County press conference Friday morning on Hurricane Sally. Information is included on power restoration, ECUA, gas and other important items.
- Urban search and rescue teams are out in flooded neighborhoods.
- Rescue operations continue with door to door searches.
- EMS responded has responded to wrecks at three intersections without working traffic lights.
- Don’t be on the roads unless absolutely necessary. Treat non-working traffic lights as 4-way stops.
- Still a lot of downed trees and power lines on the roadways. Downed power lines could be live at anytime, stay away.
- Do not call 911 unless it is a life threatening emergency.
- ECUA — water conservation is important because of the sewage situation. About 250 lift stations without power.
- ECUA customers service phone lines are down due to Cox outage.
- Pensacola Beach now has water service.
- ECUA will pick up Thursday and Friday trash routes on Saturday. No recyclables.
- All ECUA customers remain on a boil water notice.
- Less than 300 people in shelters.
- Escambia County working with federal and state authorities.
- Still problems with communications, especially wireless voice and data.
- Sheriff Morgan: We are not the gas pump police. You have to get in line and not cut in front of people at gas pumps. Common sense, he said.
- Pensacola Chamber – no problem with fuel supply to the area; the problem is electric power to gas stations.
- Stay away from Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key, unless you are getting food or gas stay at home. You are holding up progress, Morgan said.
- Two axle vehicles can cross the Bob Sikes Bridge.
- Discard food that has not been kept below 40 degrees or that has contacted flood waters – health department
- Keep generators outside at least 20 feet away from open doors and window to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Pensacola Energy is up and running. Call 811 if you smell natural gas.
- Pensacola airport may possibly open Friday afternoon. Not yet confirmed.
- 82 roads in the City of Pensacola are blocked by down trees. Many roads in the county also blocked.
- Use only Florida licensed contracts. Check companies out at myfloridalicense.com or call (850) 595-3590.
Gulf Power Expects To Restore Most Customers By Tuesday; EREC Restores Thousands
September 18, 2020
Gulf Power Company and Escambia River Electric Cooperative continue to restore power to those left in the dark by Hurricane Sally.
Gulf Power Company
In just one day, Gulf Power Company had restored 40% of the customers impacted by Hurricane Sally, but the company said heavy traffic combined with closed and damaged roads and bridges was slowing progress.
Based on initial assessments of the hardest-hit areas, Gulf Power expects to restore 95% of customers who can receive power in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties by the end of the day on Tuesday, September 22. Many customers will be restored before this date, and the company hopes to narrow down more specifics by Saturday.
By Thursday night, Gulf had restored service to more than 126,000 customers affected by Hurricane Sally. That left approximately 157,000 customers without electricity mainly in the hardest hit areas of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
“We know that in the wake of a hurricane customers want to know when they will get their lights back on,” said Marlene Santos, president of Gulf Power. “Our crews worked throughout the night and day restoring power and conducting assessments of damage to the energy grid so we could provide the best estimates of power restoration for our customers. We have a workforce of 7,000 committed to restoring power and you have our commitment that we will continue to work around the clock until every customer is restored.”
Escambia River Electric
About 95% of Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers lost power after Hurricane Sally — including every EREC member in Escambia County. All total 10,919 of 11,463 EREC customers lost power.
“EREC’s power system took a heavy hit from Hurricane Sally,” said EREC spokesperson Sabrina Owens. “Crews are working nonstop making repairs to our electrical system. Line personnel from other co-ops are assisting our crews in a massive restoration effort.”
Transmission lines to the Bratt and Oak Grove power substations were repaired Thursday, which immediately brought several hundred service addressed back online.
As of early Friday morning, there were 6,403 EREC customers — about 56% — still without power.
“We appreciate your patience, and we want members to know that work will not stop until everyone’s electricity has been restored,” Owens said.
All Hands On Deck” DeSantis Prioritizes Power Restoration After Hurricane Sally
September 18, 2020
During a visit to Escambia County Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said power restoration and reconstruction were the next priorities after of Hurricane Sally.
“We have all hands on deck,” DeSantis said. “We want to make sure to continue to keep people safe, rescue if needed, get that power back on.”
“Power is a major, major initiative and priority at this point,” he said.
DeSantis said clearing debris is a problem, and he’s instructed the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Highway Patrol to “do whatever you need to do” to make sure utility trucks can get to damaged areas.
And he also asked residents to stay off the roads until travel is absolutely necessary.
“If you’re somebody that is just kinda going out to drive to drive, now may not be the best time to do that,” DeSantis said. “It’s really slowing down being able to get all the utility trucks where they need to be.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) has deployed hundreds of generators, water pumps and light towers to help relieve the area of outages and flooding. The generators, among other purposes, will be used to service key structures and traffic lights. The light towers will allow utility crews to continue restoration efforts overnight.
The DEM has also supplied the region with 972,000 water bottles, 279,000 meals, and several mobile feeding kitchens.
DeSantis was joined by Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, FDEM Director Jared Moskowitz, Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault, Congressman Matt Gaetz and numerous local officials.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Today: 30,000 Pound Emergency Food Distribution Friday Morning In Century
September 18, 2020
UPDATE: This food distribution is now expected to go on as schedule. It was originally announced this morning as delayed due to a flooding closure on I-10, but the truck driver was able to proceed.
There will be a 30,000 pound food emergency giveaway Friday morning in Century.
The Farm Share food distribution, in conjunction with Northwest Florida Community Outreach, will begin at 11 a.m. at the Century Business Center at 130 East Pond Street.
Food will be distributed while supplies last in drive thru fashion.
Editor’s note: At last report, there was a tree down across East Pond Street just off Highway 29, so enter from the Jefferson Avenue end of Pond Street.
NorthEscambia.com photos from a late May food distribution in Century.
Florida Attorney General Expands Price Gouging Hotline Due To Hurricane Sally
September 18, 2020
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has expanded Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline to receive reports of price increases on essential commodities in the wake of Hurricane Sally.
Florida’s price gouging laws only apply within the areas of the declared state of emergency — including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties — and only for commodities and services essential to recovering from the storm event.
During a storm-related declared state of emergency, state law prohibits excessive increases in the price of essential commodities, such as food, water, hotel rooms, ice, gasoline, lumber and equipment, needed as a direct result of the event. Anyone who suspects price gouging should report it to the Attorney General’s Office by using the NO SCAM app or by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM. The Attorney General’s NO SCAM app can be downloaded for free through Apple and Android stores by searching NO SCAM.
Pictured: Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody speaks with Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan (above) and County Administrator Janice Gilley (below) during a visit to the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center on Thursday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Maybe A Shower This Afternoon, Down In The 60s For Tonight
September 18, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Cloudy, with a low around 66. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind around 10 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Escambia Reporting $21 Million In Hurricane Damage To County Assets
September 18, 2020
Escambia County is preliminarily reporting $21 million in damage to county infrastructure assets from Hurricane Sally.
The damages include roads, bridges and buildings owned by the county.
There is still no electricity or water at most county facilities. As a result county offices will be closed to public again on Friday.
Looking For Supplies? These Stores Are Open
September 18, 2020
Here is a list of stores open for food and other necessary supplies in Escambia County.
- A-1 Small Engines, 700 S. Hwy 29, Cantonment – Chainsaw sales and repair, generator sales and repair, propane. 8-5 Friday and Saturday, Sunday if needed
- Bondurant Lumber and Hardware, Century – Open with building supplies and propane. Able to accept debit and credit cards.
- Century Pharmacy – Prescriptions, groceries, canned goods, bottle water, snacks. M-F 8:30-6pm, Saturday 8:30 am -12:30 pm
- Kingline Equipment, Hwy 29 Cantonment
- Food Giant, Century
- Piggly Wiggly, Davisville
- Lowes – all locations 6 a.m. until curfew
- Home Depot – all locations 6 a.m until curfew
- Target – all locations, until 7 pm. (dry goods only)
- Publix – all locations
- Walgreens – 9 Mile and Pineforest, Mobile Highway and Saufley, 9th and Cervantes
- CVS — all locations
- Everman Cooperative — both locations
- Walmarts are closed at last report
If you know of a store that is open selling supplies located in the Nine Mile Road area or north in Escambia County, send us an email to news@northescambia.com. Supplies are post-hurricane needs like food, building materials and gas powered tools.
Pictured: A-1 Small Engines in Cantonment is open daily selling needed post-hurricane supplies. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Extended Hours For Debris Disposal At Perdido Landfill, Oak Grove Convenience Center
September 18, 2020
There will be extended hours for debris and waste disposal on Friday and Saturday at the Perdido Landfill, Oak Grove Citizens Convenience Center and Palafox Transfer Station.
The special hours will be:
Perdido Landfill – 13009 Beulah Rd., Cantonment
- 09/18 – Commercial: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. - Residential: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- 09/19 – Commercial: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. - Residential: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
Oak Grove Citizens Convenience Center (Residential Only) – 745 North Highway 99 , Walnut Hill
- 09/18 – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – (Until further notice, please observe regular volume limits)
Palafox Transfer Station (Commercial Only) – 2906 N. Palafox St., Pensacola,
- 09/18 – CLOSED
- 09/19 – 5:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Flood Warnings Continue for Escambia River, Perdido River
September 18, 2020
Flood warnings continue for the Escambia River and the Perdido River.
Escambia River
A flood warning continues for the Escambia River near Century.
Thursday night, the river stage was at 20.6 feet. The Escambia River is expect to rise to a crest of 22.3 feet early Friday afternoon. At 24.2 feet – the level of a record flood on March 18, 1990, water will enter several houses on Worley Road, Daffin Road and Fairground Rain in Molino.
Perdido River
The flood warning has been extended until Sunday morning for the Perdido River near Barrineau Park.
At 11 p.m. Thursday, the stage was 19.5 feet, above flood stage of 13 feet.. The river is expected to fall below flood stage by Saturday evening and continue falling to a stage of 7.3 feet Tuesday evening.
The river crested at 22.3 feet Wednesday night.
At 17.6 feet, water reaches the first floor of Adventures Perdido River office building.
