Lightning Strike Destroys Water Main Serving Much Of Walnut Hill Area; Boil Water Notice Issued

April 10, 2021

UPDATE: THE BOIL WATER NOTICE HAS BEEN RESCINDED.

Several hundred residences in the Walnut Hill lost water service as a result of Saturday morning’s storms.

A lightning strike destroyed a primary water main at Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s water tower adjacent to their Walnut Hill Office and Ernest Ward Middle School.

The leak was isolated, and water service was restored to the area from EREC’s second water tower located across Highway 97 from Ernest Ward.  Repairs were to begin as soon as other utilities such as communications lines could be located.

A boil water notice notice is in effect for EREC customers that lost water pressure. The area is described as:

  • All EREC members south, east and west of, and including, Gobbler Road
  • Sandy Hollow Road north of Gobbler Road to 3820 Sandy Hollow
  • Still Road north of Gobbler Road tp 2789 Still Road
  • North of Gobbler Road to 2650 North Highway 99

All water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes should be brought to a rolling for at least one minute. As an alternative, bottled water may be used. Residents are also advised to take precautions when bathing, especially immunocompromised individuals, infants or the elderly.  The boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

One Response to “Lightning Strike Destroys Water Main Serving Much Of Walnut Hill Area; Boil Water Notice Issued”

  1. Regina on April 11th, 2021 4:23 am

    Not surprising that lightening was constant and very intense. It was like a highly destructive heavenly light show.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive