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Pensacola Beach Water Shut Off Until After Hurricane Sally Passes

All water service to Pensacola Beach was shut off Tuesday night due to a water main break and sewer system problems.

According to a statement from ECUA released Tuesday night:

“A significant water main break has occurred on Pensacola Beach and ECUA crews are unable to respond due to current storm conditions and the bridge closures.  ECUA will have to shut off the water system at approximately 11:00 pm tonight or until water pressure falls significantly.  Storm surge and tide levels will also inundate the sewer collection system, which further necessitates the need to shut off the water system.  We urge residents who are still on Pensacola Beach to store water if possible.  ECUA will dispatch crews to locate the break and make repairs as soon as possible post-storm.”

Here Is The Latest Escambia County Hurricane Sally Information Update

Here Are The Key Points From Escambia County Afternoon Hurricane Sally Press Conference

Here are key takeaway points from an Escambia County news conference Tuesday afternoon on Hurricane Sally:

• Historic flood event possible, up to 30 inches of rain
• Tropical storm force winds, hurricane winds possible by Wednesday morning
• Strong tropical force winds, heavy rain includes entire county north to Alabama
• Not much improvement in weather until late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
• Only  voluntary evacuations in Zone A: Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key, Innerarity Point
• Storm surge expected 3-5 feet
• Rush storm preparations to completion
• Six high water vehicles received from the state, swift water rescue team coming in
• Emergency Operations Center staffed 24/7
• 125 National Guard members being sent to Escambia County
• Sen. Broxson: Barge did strike Pensacola Bay Bridge. Bridge closed; damage evaluation won’t happen until waters calm

Pictured: A Tuesday afternoon press conference at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center.

List: Escambia County Road And Bridge Closures

THIS IS AN OUTDATED STORY.

The following roads and bridges in Escambia County are closed:

Escambia County

• Three Mile Bridge (Pensacola Bay Bridge)
• Garcon Point Bridge
• Theo Baars Bridge
• Lillian Bridge
• Interstate 110 at the Interstate 10 ramp
• Mackey Cove Drive
• Gongora Drive, Don Carlos Drive

NAS Pensacola

The west gate of NAS Pensacola is now closed. All personnel must use the main gate.

City of Pensacola

• 17th Avenue at the CSX railroad trestle/Graffiti Bridge
• DeVilliers Street at Main Street
• 9th Avenue at Romana Street
• 6th Avenue at Highland Drive
• Sonia Street at K Street
• Coyle Street at Main Street
• Main Street at G Street
• Main Street from Baylen to Clubbs Street
• Government Street from Reus Street to Clubbs Street
• J Street south of Cedar Street

Santa Rosa County Hurricane Sally Update

Here is the latest Hurricane Sally update from Santa Rosa County:

• Sally’s track shifted slightly east from the last advisory and the latest forecast brings the core of the hurricane across coastal Alabama Wednesday morning.
• A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Santa Rosa County.
• A Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for coastal portions of the western Florida Panhandle.  This includes Escambia and Pensacola bays.
• Surge values were slightly increased for western Florida panhandle where 3-5 feet is now possible.
• Frequent tropical storm force gusts over the immediate coast this morning will gradually spread inland this afternoon into tonight.
• Sustained tropical storm force winds are increasingly likely, especially by tonight along the immediate coast and continue into Wednesday morning. Gusts of 50-70 mph possible in Escambia/Santa Rosa Counties tonight into Wednesday morning.
• Tropical storm conditions may not subside until late Wednesday afternoon/evening.
• HISTORIC FLOODING EVENT LIKELY
  • Locally up to 30” of rain is possible, especially in coastal Alabama and the western Florida panhandle. This will result in extreme life threatening and likely historic flooding.
  • The flood threat remains unchanged from the previous forecasts.
• STAY OUT OF THE GULF! No lifeguards are on duty due to dangerous surf conditions. If you get in the water, NO ONE IS COMING TO RESCUE YOU. Navarre Beach live web cam - www.navarrebeachlife.com/live-hd-1080-zoom-cam.
• Residents on Blackwater River, Coldwater Creek and Pond Creek need to make preparations and plans (that include pets) to move to higher ground quickly if needed.
• Do not park vehicles in a low-lying areas overnight.
• Zone A evacuations are recommended. Residents in mobile homes are also recommended to evacuate. Visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/knowyourzone for evacuation zone information.
• The Citizens Information Line is open, call 850-983-INFO (4636) for questions.
• Report damage via our Citizen Damage Report (https://bit.ly/2Rnogx8).
• The next update will be this evening.

Shelter

• Milton Community Center, 5629 Byrom St. in Milton (map), is open as a shelter. No pre-registration is required. Zone A and mobile home residents are encouraged to evacuate.
• Milton Community Center is also a pet-friendly shelter. Bring pet(s) in a carrier with proof of vaccinations and all pet food and supplies including water, leashes and/or litter boxes with litter.
• Bring COVID supplies for you and your family or they will be provided for you. Masks are required in shelters.
• Shelters are usually uncomfortable. Meals are not provided. It is recommended that other arrangements be made to stay at a hotel or with a friends or family in a well-constructed home out that is properly protected to withstand hurricane force winds.
• Anyone needing transportation assistance to a shelter should call (850) 983-4636. Transportation will only be provided if winds are below tropical storm force (so call early) and will only take you to a designated shelter.
• Bring the following items:
  • Personal identification
  • Water, non-perishable snacks and any special dietary needs.
  • A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes.
  • Toiletries and personal items.
  • Blankets, pillows and sleeping bags.
  • Games or toys for children; books for adults.
  • Special items for infants or elderly family members.
  • Battery operated radio, flashlights and plenty of spare batteries.
  • Prescriptions or any over-the-counter medications you normally need.

Road Closures

• See road closures: www.santarosa.fl.gov/293/Current-Road-Bridge-Closures.
• Report road issues (flooding, debris) at www.santarosa.fl.gov/FormCenter/Public-Works-7/Citizen-Work-Request-48.
• Expect that roads and bridges which typically flood will flood. Turn around, don’t drown. It is not possible to determine if a flooded roadway is covering a potentially deadly washout.
• Public works crews are monitoring for flooding and will barricade flooded roads and bridges as needed. Do not drive around or move any barricades.

Bridges

• Three Mile Bridge is closed.
• Emergency Management requested the state suspend tolls on Garcon Point Bridge.
• Bridges ONLY close when sustained tropical storm force winds are observed by FDOT or law enforcement officials. If one bridge closes, it does not mean all bridges will close.
• Bridges that typically flood include:
  Deaton Bridge/Deaton Bridge Road
  Wagner Bridge/East Fork Coldwater Creek/Spring Hill Road
  Red Rock Bridge/Juniper Creek/Red Rock Road
  Juniper Creek Bridge/Indian Ford Road
  West Fork Big Coldwater Creek Bridge/Walling Road
  Turkey Creek Bridge/Amos Cabaniss Road
• For state and federal road closures (I-10, 87, 89, 90, 98, Avalon Blvd.), see www.FL511.com.

Safety

• If you do not have to be on the road, stay off the road, especially at night. Motorists are strongly discouraged from driving along the beach given the wind, rain and road closure. Turn around, don’t drown.
• EMS and fire cannot respond to calls after sustained tropical storm force winds are present.
• Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock.
• Avoid wading in floodwater, which can be contaminated and contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
• Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery ONLY outdoors and away from windows. Always have a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector when using a generator.

County Offices

• Emergency Management is activated at a Level II for Hurricane Sally.
• All county offices including the libraries, supervisor of elections, clerk of court, tax collector and property appraiser are closed today and will remain closed Wed., Sept. 16.
• The FY21 Budget Meeting for Tues., Sept. 15 has been canceled and will be rescheduled.

County COVID Testing

• COVID testing at Tiger Point Community Center is closed today, Tues. Sept., 15.
• COVID testing at Milton Community Center will be closed Wed., Sept. 16.

General Preparedness Information

• Stay informed! Sign up for emergency alerts at www.AlertSantaRosa.com.
• Sandbags are available at area Lowe’s, Ace Hardware and Hall’s Hardware. Bring your own sandbags and shovel. Sand for sandbags is on a first-come, first-serve basis at the following locations:
  - The corner of Leisure St. and Citrus Dr. in Navarre
  - Tiger Point Park in Gulf Breeze
  - Pace Fire-Rescue in Pace
  - The corner of Pine Forest Rd. and Carroll Rd. in Milton
  - Crews will continue to monitor and replenish sand as weather permits.
• For current weather events, visit www.weather.gov/mob.
• For information on preparing for disasters, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency.

Escambia Update: Up To 30 Inches Of Rain, Bay Bridge Closed, Fire Depts. Pulled From Beach

Here are key points from an Escambia County news conference Tuesday morning on Hurricane Sally:

• Latest information shows some isolated areas will receive up to 30 inches of rain. Major rain event.
• Expect power outages and debris.
• Once winds reach tropical storm force, emergency services will not be able to respond. Sheriff’s Office will respond as long as conditions permit.
• Fire departments pulled from Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key.
• Residents should not be out and about unless absolutely necessary, not sightseeing.
• About 2,000 people without power as of 10 a.m.
• Six additional high water vehicles requested from the state.
• Some roads on Pensacola beach washed over at high tide.
• Pensacola Bay Bridge closed.
• Shelter open at the Pensacola Bay Center, special needs and pets welcome. 32 people in the shelter at 10 a.m.

Pictured: A Tuesday morning press conference at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center.

$87 Million Peanut Shelling Facility To Locate In Atmore With 100+ Jobs

Coastal Growers LLC plans to build a peanut shelling plant in Atmore, bringing 100 or more jobs to the area and turning the Escambia County city into a hub for peanut shelling in southwest Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey said Tuesday.

The company – owned by a cooperative of farmers, most of them residing in Alabama – will build an $87 million shelling and storage facility on more than 60 acres in the Atmore Industrial Park.

“The Coastal Growers facility in Atmore will become a vital resource for peanut farmers in Alabama and beyond by helping to make their operations more sustainable and profitable,” Governor Ivey said. “I look forward to seeing the impact that this project is going to have for our farmers and for the region.”

Paul Turner, an attorney representing the company, said the average wage in the plant will be more than $17 per hour for the 100-plus full-time workers. In addition, there will be temporary positions added during peak shelling times.

“We are excited to be able to announce this project today, to bring peanut shelling to south Alabama, and to bring economic benefit to the hard-working farmers of our state who so desperately need it,” Turner said.

“We also offer our sincere gratitude to Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Atmore Mayor Jim Staff and everyone else who made this project possible and brought us to Atmore, including the Alabama Farmers Federation and the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, both of which were vital in the project’s development,” he added.

Jess Nicholas of Centerfire Economic, who serves as executive director of the Escambia County Industrial Development Authority, said he expects the facility to ultimately employ 150 workers and attract other businesses to the area.

“Shelling operations tend to attract other businesses in this sector, and also spur development in infrastructure and other areas. We expect it to have a positive effect on the Port of Mobile as well,” Nicholas said.

“We worked hard to bring Coastal Growers here, and we’re very thankful to Coastal Growers for picking us, and for Governor Ivey for supporting our efforts. We’re on the map now as far as peanut production is concerned,” he added.

Glenn Spivey, president of Dothan’s Hollis & Spann Inc., will be heading up the construction efforts for the project. Spivey said the new facility, encompassing more than 400,000 square feet, will take about a year to build.

Coastal Growers’ Brad Smith and Joe Parker, two of the driving forces behind the project, said the Atmore location is the perfect site for the company.

“The peanuts we have in this area are among the highest quality available, yet we really had no infrastructure for shelling in this area,” said Parker, owner and general manager of Summerdale Peanut in Baldwin County.

“While we looked at other possibilities in other states, Atmore really did make the best sense for us in the end, and the state was strongly supportive of our efforts the entire time,” Smith said. “They did a fantastic job of making us feel welcome in Escambia County.”

Mark Kaiser, a Baldwin County farmer, said the new facility will allow farmers to capture more profit from their own crops, giving them more control over their own operations.

“This facility will be owned by the farmers that use it, and they’ll keep those profits themselves,” Kaiser said. “That’s good for both the farmers and for the immediate area, because the money will just keep turning over locally.”

Alex Jones, president of UB Community Development LLC, a community development affiliate of United Bank, led efforts to secure financing for the project, utilizing New Market Tax Credits, incentives and traditional financing. He said the impact across the region will be immense.

“We have farmers from one side of the state to the other who are involved in this, in Florida and Mississippi as well, and even up the state into the Sand Mountain area,” Jones said. “This is a complex process and not the typical economic development project in any way, but in the end, it’s going to mean a lot for our region, for Atmore, for Escambia County and our state.”

Atmore Mayor Jim Staff said the city welcomes Coastal Growers and is excited to be able to help the area’s farmers.

“It’s not just the jobs at the plant itself, even as much opportunity as that will bring to the city,” Staff said. “It’s what we’re able to do for our farmers and their families who have lived here and worked here for generations. They’ve spent their money in Atmore, and they’re an important part of our community.”

Pensacola Bay Bridge Closed Due To Wind, And It Was Struck By A Barge

The Pensacola Bay Bridge was closed Tuesday morning after it was struck by a barge and due to winds from Hurricane Sally.

The City of Gulf Breeze said a barge struck the bridge, and the Florida Department of Transportation will send an inspection team to access any damage.

FDOT noted the bridge was also closed due to sustained winds of 40 mph or greater.

The bridge is expected to remain close for the duration of Hurricane Sally.

Tolls have been waved on the Garcon Point bridge until further notice.

Pictured above: The Gulf Breeze end of the Pensacola Bay Bridge just before 10 a.m. Tuesday. Pictured below: The Pensacola end of the bridge.

One Reportedly Injured In Cottage Hill ATV Crash

One person was reportedly injured in an ATV crash Monday evening in Cottage Hill.

The driver of the ATV crashed into a wooded area on Williams Ditch Road and Chavers Road about shortly after 7 p.m. The driver was reportedly taken to the hospital by private vehicle.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Gulf Power, EREC Ready For Hurricane Sally

Gulf Power and Escambia River Electric Cooperative say they are both ready to restore power as quickly and safely as possible after Hurricane Sally.

“We are taking every action possible to ensure we are ready to respond and can do so quickly to restore power to customers affected,” said Marlene Santos, president of Gulf Power.

Gulf Power crews are prepared to work around the clock once winds are below 35 miles per hour, conducting damage assessments as needed and restoring power to customers that are affected.

In addition, Gulf Power has secured additional resources that can help restore power, which would bring the total number of lineworkers, vegetation crews and other support resources available to nearly 500.

Escambia River Electric Cooperative has employees on emergency storm alert status.

“Our co-op may be significantly affected by high winds and heavy rainfall if Sally continues to intensify,” said Ryan Campbell, CEO. “With safety as our top priority, we have activated our emergency response plan in anticipation of the storm. This includes contact with our statewide association to coordinate the arrival of additional utility crews should they be needed.”

“EREC has taken all precautionary measures, and our emergency preparedness team has confirmed that all preliminary requirements for the possibility of a major hurricane have been met,” said Campbell. “We continue to monitor the storm very closely.”

Pictured: Gulf Power crews and contractors on standy to restore power after Hurricane Michael in 2018.

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