Storms Leave Trail Of Damage Across Northern Escambia, Santa Rosa Counties

May 10, 2024

Fast moving storms left a trail of damage across northern Escambia and Santa counties early Friday morning.

Northview High, Ernest Ward Middle, Bratt Elementary, and Byrneville Elementary schools are closed today.

For a photo gallery, click here.
For a second photo gallery, click here.
For a gallery from Northview High School, click here.

Tens of thousands were left without power. Trees, power lines and power poles were reported down across the area, including Highway 99, Highway 99, Nokomis Road, Byrneville Road, Morristown Road, Highway 99A and others. Highway 97 was completely closed by downed power lines, and one vehicle reportedly collided with a downed power pole. Additionally, a vehicle reportedly hit a tree that was down on Highway 29 near the paper mill in Cantonment. and a vehicle hit a downed tree on in the area of Highway 29 and Bluff Springs Road (pictured below).

There have been no injuries reported.

At last report, 65% of all EREC customers (6,560) were without power in Santa Rosa County, and 72% of all EREC customers (3,050) were without power in Escambia County.  FPL reported 8,953 out in Escambia, 7,945 in Santa Rosa.

EREC CEO Ryan Campbell tells NorthEscambia.com that they have called in outside help to assist with fast power restoration.

This story will be updated with additional information.

Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

6 Responses to “Storms Leave Trail Of Damage Across Northern Escambia, Santa Rosa Counties”

  1. Susan Johnson on May 11th, 2024 8:21 am

    I live in Santa Rosa County, Pace right off Hamilton Bridge Road, a few blocks from East Spencer Field Rd down from the Helicopter field and it was a mess, trees down, power poles down and we were without power from 4 a.m. till 12:15 but you know I called Florida power and the first time they told me it would be on at 8:30 and they could let me know if it changed then I called again when it didn’t come on at 8:30 and they told me it would be on at 12:20 I want you to know my power came on at 12:15 that is incredible to me and I know they work their butts off and they were so kind to me when I called and you know everybody was calling they were probably tired of it but they sure didn’t act that way they were very nice I will tell you one thing I don’t know if we had a tornado or just strong winds but it was a mess yesterday and it was scary for a little while it really was like a hurricane anyway I think Florida power did a great job from what Alcatel and I thank the ones I spoke to on the phone and the ones that turned my power on hopefully we don’t have to go through that again

  2. Gloria Morris on May 10th, 2024 4:50 pm

    Jay High School almost all tree’s are damaged. No electric.

  3. Citizen of century on May 10th, 2024 12:03 pm

    Hit pretty bad down here in byrneville looks like a dang tornado came through. Trees fallen everywhere, and the roof of my pawpaws barn blown off a little furious no actual warning about preparation or the risk of power cutting just “severe storm”

  4. Pet parent on May 10th, 2024 11:39 am

    My biggest concern was the outside animals. But Thankfully there was little to no damage to any of the fences or enclosures. And all animals , big and small. are safe and accounted for.. Thank You Jesus!! My farm and family were spared.. Check on your rural neighbors.. and the elderly..

  5. Concerned Citizen on May 10th, 2024 10:43 am

    Pretty sure a Tornado touched down in Century near the sub station on Hwy29.

  6. tg on May 10th, 2024 10:33 am

    It felt like thirty minits of a bad hurricane.