Perdido River Rising, Flooding Closes Barrineau Park Road Bridge
August 30, 2021
Barrineau Park Road at the Perdido River has been closed due to flooding, as is not uncommon following heavy rain events.
The river is expected to continue to rise through at least Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. It not forecast to fall below the bridge until about Friday.
This is the only weather related road closure reported in Escambia County. Any additional road closures will be announced if they occur.
Some Localized Flooding, No Tornadoes, Escambia Public Safety Director Says
August 30, 2021
Escambia County has experienced some localized flooding due to the outer rain bands of Ida, but there’s been no significant weather damage so far.
“Last 24 hours, we’ve had rain bands come in to give us localized flooding as we predicted. We have seen a couple of tornado warnings in the area with no tornadoes that have been produced,” said Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore said early Monday afternoon.
“We’ve faired much better than our counterparts to the west,” he said. “We expect additional rain bands coming in throughout the rest of the day into tonight. We’ll see localized flooding out of that. But we’re been fortunate so far that when the rain bands come in, we’ve had enough time between bands that we get drainage. So if we continue that pattern, we shouldn’t see any major issues in Escambia County.”
There was flooding Sunday at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 but that subsided. As is normal with heavy rain events, the Barrineau Park Bridge from Escambia County to Alabama is now underwater.
Pictured: Flooding Sunday at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97. The water has subsided. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Need To Know: Monday Closures Due To Hurricane Ida
August 30, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE.
Here is a list of major closures due to Hurricane Ida. Keep checking back for updates. If you have a closure to share, email news@northescambia.com.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
- All public schools, UWF, PSC, and PCA are closed. More info…
- Escambia County offices will be closed Monday. Essential employees such as first responders and those contacted by their supervisors will be expected to maintain county operations
- Town of Century offices will be closed Monday.
- City of Pensacola office will be open an sanitation services will operate on a regular schedule.
- Courts in Escambia County will be closed Monday. Normal operations are anticipated to resume on Tuesday. Jurors summoned for the week in Escambia County should not report on Monday; but should plan to report on Tuesday at 8 a.m.
- Escambia County Property Appraiser’s offices will be closed due to weather Monday.
- Florida Department of Health in Escambia County — all clinics and services are closed for Monday and will reopen on Tuesday. Appointment can be rescheduled by calling (850) 595-6500.
- All Community Health Northwest Florida locations are closed Monday.
- Council on Aging of West Florida senior dining sites, including grab-and-go meals, are suspended Monday and will resume Tuesday. Meals on Wheels will be delivered as regularly scheduled Tuesday. The Retreat adult day care will also be closed Monday.
- Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller offices are closed Monday.
- ECAT bus service, UWF and Pensacola Beach trolley service are all suspended on Monday
- All West Florida Library locations will be closed on Monday.
- Veterans Administration clinics in Pensacola, Mobile and Biloxi are closed Monday.
- Pensacola airport will be open, but check with your airline for flight cancelations or delays.
- Gonzalez UMC Child Enrichment Center will be closed Monday.
- Child Development Centers and Youth Centers on NAS Pensacola and Corry Station will be closed Monday
- Gulf Islands National Seashore is closed Monday.
- NAS Pensacola West Gate is closed. Only essential personnel on base.
- The Child Development Centers and Youth Centers on NAS Pensacola and Corry Station will be closed Monday
- All Ensley Youth Sports Association practices are canceled for Monday, and the park will be closed.
- Ascension Sacred Heart’s drive-thru COVID-19 testing site is closed Monday.
SANTA ROSA
- All public schools are closed. More info…
- Santa Rosa County offices will be open normal hours on Monday.
- NOMI Health COVID-19 testing sites in Santa Rosa County will be closed until Tuesday.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, ALABAMA
All public schools are closed Monday. Escambia Academy and Atmore Christian School are also closed.
Rest Of Today: Storms, Wind, Possible Flash Flooding, Tornadoes Possible
August 30, 2021
There is a tornado watch, flash flood watch and wind advisory in effect for the North Escambia area.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Showers and chance of thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may be severe with tornadoes until late afternoon. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Highs around 80. Southeast winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts to around 35 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.
Tonight: Showers and chance of thunderstorms. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Near steady temperature in the mid 70s. South winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts to around 35 mph. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.
Tuesday: Showers and chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Locally heavy rainfall possible in the morning. Highs in the mid 80s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Lows in the lower 70s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph decreasing to around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Highs in the upper 80s. West winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s.
Thursday: Mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 60s.
Friday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 80s.
Friday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 60s.
Saturday: Mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 60s.
Sunday: Mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s.
All Escambia, Santa Rosa Schools Closed Monday
August 30, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE.
Most area schools will be closed on Monday due to Hurricane Ida concerns.
Escambia County, Florida
Superintendent Timothy A. Smith has announced that all schools and offices within the Escambia County School District (ECSD) will close Monday, August 30, 2021, due to Hurricane Ida. The cancellation of regular school district operations includes all extracurricular activities. Currently, the school district plans to reopen on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. This decision is based on current recommendations from the Escambia Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
- Gonzalez UMC Child Enrichment Center will be closed Monday
Pensacola Christian
Pensacola Christian Academy classes and all activities are canceled for Monday, August 30, because of potential winds and flash flooding from Hurricane Ida. School is currently scheduled to resume on Tuesday. Pensacola Christian College has not yet started fall semester classes.
Pensacola State
UPDATE – All locations of Pensacola State College will be closed Monday, August 30, and will reopen on Tuesday for regular hours. This includes all classes, events, campus activities and online courses. Essential employees such as public safety and those contacted by their supervisors will be asked to report to work.
University of West Florida
UPDATE – All UWF locations, including the Pensacola campus, UWF Emerald Coast and UWF Historic Trust, will close Sunday, Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. and will remain closed through Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 4:59 a.m. This includes all classes, events, campus activities and online courses. Normal University operations, classes, events and campus activities will resume Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 5 a.m.
Santa Rosa County
All Santa Rosa County District Schools will be closed Mon., Aug. 30, to include all after-school activities. School and after-school activities are expected to resume Tues., Aug. 31 as usual and a confirmation will be sent by Monday at 5 p.m.
Escambia County, Alabama
All Escambia County Alabama Schools and offices will be closed tomorrow due to the potential for hazardous conditions caused by Hurricane Ida.
“We feel it is in the best interest of all to close all schools tomorrow, Monday, August 30, 2021. We do plan for all Escambia County Alabama Schools and offices to be open effective Tuesday, August 31, 2021. We encourage you to monitor for weather reports and local information, and take caution to be safe,” Superintendent John Knott said.
Escambia Academy and Atmore Christian School will also be closed.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Florida Utility Crews To Help With Louisiana Power Restoration
August 30, 2021
Florida Power & Light Company, the parent company of Gulf Power, is deploying employees and contractors to support power restoration after Hurricane Ida. A team of more than 750 employees and contractors will assist Entergy Louisiana and Cleco with their restoration.
“As Floridians who have faced dangerous hurricanes like Andrew and Michael before, we understand how critical it is to have support from other utilities during restoration events,” said FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy. “Just as our neighboring utilities have come to Florida to support us, we will be there for our brothers and sisters in need, getting their communities back up and running safely. Hurricane Ida is a very dangerous storm. Our thoughts and prayers are with those in the storm’s path.”
The workers, who began their journey Sunday morning, will travel to Louisiana to help wherever they are needed.
AAA: Hurricane Ida Likely To Cause Higher Gas Prices
August 30, 2021
Florida drivers could soon feel the effects of Hurricane Ida, in the form of higher gas prices, according to AAA. While a gas price hike appears imminent, it’s still unclear how much of a increase drivers will see.
The average price for gasoline in Florida was $2.95 per gallon Sunday. The state average has slowly declined over the course of the past three weeks, after setting a new 2021 high of $3.03 on August 5th. A week ago, it appeared that prices were poised to decline even further, after futures prices plummeted, in response to the spread of COVID-19. However, futures prices rebounded last week, due to concerns about what the storm could do to the Gulf Coast fuel supply chain. Sunday night, futures prices spiked again in overnight trading.
Sunday night, the average price per gallon in Escambia County was $3.02. A North Escambia low of $2.86 could be found Sunday at a Highway 29 station in Cantonment. Pensacola’s lowest price was $2.77 Sunday evening.
Hurricanes don’t always cause gas prices to rise, but when a major storm moves into the Gulf Coast, that’s another story. Hurricane Ida made landfall along the Gulf Coast, a region populated with offshore oil rigs, coastal crude oil refineries, terminals and ports.
Refineries in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama account for more than 45% of the nation’s capacity for refining crude oil into gasoline and other important products. Additionally, the region is home to nearly 2,000 offshore oil platforms, which accounts for 17% of the nation’s crude oil production.
“Drivers will almost assuredly see gas prices rise this week, because of Hurricane Ida’s effects on the Gulf Coast,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Based on overnight movement in the futures market, a 10-20 cent jump at the pump is not out of the question. Where gas prices go from here will depend on the extent of the damage and how long it will take for fuel production and transportation lines to return to normal.”
Betty Lou (Dunn) Gregg
August 30, 2021
Betty Lou (Dunn) Gregg, age 71, passed away on August 25, 2021 in Atmore, AL. She was born on June 15, 1950 in McCullough, AL to the late Odis C. and Ruby E. “Liz” Tolin Dunn. Betty loved gardening, rescuing stray cats, shopping, fine dining, cooking and was an avid Auburn Fan.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Doyle Maurice Gregg; her father, Odis C. Dunn; her mother, Ruby E. “Liz” Dunn Davis Boone; her step-father, Hilton P. Davis and her brother, Roy Wayne Dunn.
Betty had special love for her feline companion, Aubie; her special friend, James Michael Coker and her lifelong friend, Alan Etheridge.
She is survived by her siblings, Evelyn Joan (Bruce) Lang of Brandon, MS, Linda Joyce Morgan of Hilham, TN, Thomas Henry (Donna) Davis of Mineola, AL, Autrey Edward Davis of Davisville, FL, Lois Jean (George) Mahony of Atmore, AL, Peggy Sue Dunn of Atmore, AL, Billy Ray (Ruthie) Dunn of Atmore, AL, David Glenn Dunn of Atmore, AL along with numerous nieces and nephews she loved dearly.
A private family viewing will be held at a later date. The family asked that facial mask be worn due to the current healthcare crisis.
An Inurnment will follow in Newport, TN at a later date.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Judith Vickery Branum
August 30, 2021
Judith Vickery Branum went to her eternal home on August 29, 2021. Her family and countless friends already miss her but take comfort that she is healed and whole.
Judy was born on September 13, 1945, in New Castle, Indiana. She moved to her long-time home of Atmore as a child, and other than her college days spent at her beloved Auburn University, she has resided there since with her high school sweetheart, Billy Wayne, who she married in 1968, and their daughter, Bonnie.
Judy’s calling was education, and she devoted her life to teaching students at Escambia Academy, Flomaton High School, Escambia County High School, and T.R. Miller High School. Over the years, her family has heard students say she touched their lives, but her life was also touched by each and every one of her students. She planned her lessons meticulously and took great delight in teaching, pushing, and encouraging her students. Perhaps her most important role, however, was becoming a YaYa to her dear granddaughter, Olivia, and she brought to that role the utmost of enthusiasm and love.
She loved her church home, First Baptist Church of Atmore, where, for years, she taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and children’s church.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie Farrar “Red” Vickery and Bonnie Kirkpatrick Vickery; and her sister, Becky Shivers.
She is survived by her husband, Billy Wayne; her daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Nic Minopoli; her granddaughter, Olivia Minopoli; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Penny and Galen Walker and Peggy and John James; a special cousin, John Arthur Brown; and numerous nieces and nephews she loved as her own.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at 3:30 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, Alabama.
For safety purposes, the family asks that you wear a mask and socially distance.
The family intends to have a celebration of life service when safe.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to First Baptist Church of Atmore: www.fbcatmore.org or The Gideons International: www.sendtheword.org.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Here’s What Ida Is Doing Today
August 30, 2021
Category 4 Hurricane Ida made landfall Sunday as an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph and a minimum central pressure of 930 mb (27.46 inches). Landfall was about 15 miles southwest of Grand Isle.
What remains of Ida continues inland into Mississippi Monday.
The latest information is in the graphics on this page.
