Devastating Hurricane Helene Makes Landfall As Category 4 Near Perry, Florida
September 27, 2024
Hurricane Helene made a devastating landfall in the Florida Big Bend region late Wednesday night, bringing with it catastrophic winds and storm surge. The powerful storm, which had been intensifying rapidly in the Gulf of Mexico, came ashore just east of the mouth of the Aucilla River as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph.
The eye of Helene passed directly over Perry, Florida, a city of about 10,000 people, around 11:10 p.m. EDT The storm’s destructive winds caused widespread damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Trees were uprooted, power lines were downed, and roofs were torn off.
The storm surge associated with Helene was also a major concern. The National Weather Service had warned of the potential for life-threatening inundation along the coast, and many coastal communities were evacuated ahead of the storm’s arrival. The extent of the storm surge damage is still being assessed, but it is clear that it will be significant.
In the aftermath of the storm, residents of the Florida Big Bend region are facing a long road to recovery. The damage caused by Hurricane Helene is extensive, and it will take time to rebuild. The storm has also left many people without power, water, or other essential services.
The full impact of Hurricane Helene will not be known for days or even weeks to come.
The current track of the storm is below.
Sunny And Breezy For Your Friday
September 27, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 81. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 66. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Light west wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
From Search And Rescue To Power Restoration, Escambia County Becomes Hurricane Helene Staging Area
September 27, 2024
Escambia County became a staging area Thursday in advance of Hurricane Helene’s landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida.
Urban Search and Rescue teams staged at the Pensacola Bay Center preparing to deploy to impacted areas after the hurricane. An army of power crews staged at the Pensacola Fairgrounds.
The Florida Department of Emergency Management (State EOC) was using the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center for Hurricane Helene operations. The Escambia EOC was not activated for location operations.
On Friday, Escambia County Emergency Management is deploying to Liberty County along with the county’s mobile command unit, THOR, to support response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene. An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office contingency will be deploying with Escambia County Emergency Management, along with Santa Rosa County Emergency Management. The deployed teams will be assisting Liberty County and surrounding counties, depending on the impact of the storm.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com and NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Tate High Students Take Part In See You At The Pole
September 27, 2024
Tate High School was among the area schools where students gathered together this week for the See You at the Pole event.
Students gathered as school began to pray in the non-denominational event. See You at the Pole is a national student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event. Students prayed for their school, friends, teachers, government, and the nation.
The national verse this year was “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.” [1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT).]
At Tate High, junior Nick Kontek welcomed everyone and prayed for students all over the world who have little to no religious freedom. Senior Blakely Campbell prayed for the administration and teachers and for God’s blessing and wisdom over those who lead. Sophomore Addie Manning prayed for all Tate students and family. In between each student-led prayer all students were given the opportunity to pray individually. Students and faculty also divided into smaller groups and prayed for one another.
At Tate High School See You at the Pole was sponsored by First Priority.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Semi Crash Near Atmore Claims One Life
September 27, 2024
One person was killed in a single vehicle semi truck crash Thursday near Atmore. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the crash claimed the life of an Eight Mile man.
David W. Odell, 63, was fatally injured when the 2024 Freightliner dump truck he was driving left the roadway and overturned. Odell was not using a seat belt at the time of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The crash occurred on Atmosphere Road near Poarch Road, about six miles north of Atmore, in Escambia County.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Highway Patrol Division continues to investigate.
Bonus Gallery: Tate Aggies Cheerleaders, Showband And More
September 27, 2024
The Tate High School Aggies are off to their best start in over 20 years, winning their fifth straight game with a convincing 42-7 victory over the West Florida Jaguars last week.
Friday night, the 5-0 Aggies will host the Navarre Raider at Pete Gindl Stadium.
For a game action story and photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Here Is This Week’s High School Football Schedule
September 27, 2024
Here is this week’s high school football schedule for the North Escambia area.
All games are at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
FLORIDA
- Navarre at Tate
- Escambia County (Atmore) at Northview
- Jay at Flomaton
- Pact at Crestview
- Escambia at Washington
- Bay at Pensacola High
- Freeport at Pensacola Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
- Gulf Breeze at Niceville
- Mosley at Milton, 7:30 p.m.
- Central at Rocky Bayou Christian (Saturday, 6 p.m.)
ALABAMA
- Jay at Flomaton
- Escambia County (Atmore) at Northview
- Snook Christian at Escambia Academy
- T.R. Miller at UMS-Wright
- Blountstown at W.S. Neal
Pictured: The Tate Aggies defeated the West Florida Jaguars 42-7 last week. NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
JoAnn Fern Koehn Nightengale
September 27, 2024
JoAnn Fern Koehn Nightengale was born to Fred P. and Sarah Smith Koehn on June 3, 1931, in Montezuma, Kansas. She passed away on September 12, 2024, at Jay Hospital in Jay, Florida, reaching the age of ninety-three years.
JoAnn spent her early life and school days near Montezuma. Those were the Dust Bowl days, and the challenges of that time taught her the strength and industriousness she carried through life.
At 12 years old, she accepted God’s call to salvation and gave her heart to Him, receiving His abiding peace. She was baptized upon the confession of her faith into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite by Minister David J. Koehn. To this commitment, she lived faithfully all her days.
On October 2, 1949, JoAnn was married to Marvin Nightengale in Montezuma, Kansas, with Minister David J. Koehn officiating. They were married for 64 years until his passing in 2014.
For the first 7 years of their married life, they lived in the Montezuma area, taking up farming for their livelihood. In 1956, they moved with their small family to Walnut Hill, Florida, where they continued farming. Except for a brief time of relocating to Ocala, Florida, they lived in the Walnut Hill area. They were blessed with three sons and one daughter. The grandchildren were a special blessing to JoAnn as they went in and out of her home.
JoAnn had a lively personality and was very outgoing. She was attentive to those with difficulties and cared for many, especially those with physical challenges. She willingly shared this gift and was deeply appreciated by those whose lives she touched.
Her love for children manifested in her time as a teacher at Walnut Hill Christian School. The three years she spent teaching was a special time for her, creating a lasting impact and many friendships with the faculty.
Doyle faithfully cared for her until she moved to Century Center for Rehabilitation and Healing. Her friendly, caring disposition was a light to the other residents and caretakers during her time there.
Her passing leaves a wealth of warm memories for her children, Doyle, of Davisville, FL; Randy of Crestview, FL; Scott and Lilian of Walnut Hill, FL; and Charlotte and Brian Decker of Wakarusa, IN; Seven grandchildren and four great-grandchild; two sisters, Helen Unruh of Moundridge, KS; June Schoonover of Colorado Spring, CO; and countless friends and relatives.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Marvin, seven sisters, two brothers; four brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Walnut Hill Mennonite Church with Minister Benjamin Koehn, Minister Myron Nightingale, Minister Mike Koehn, and Minister Keith Nightingale officiating. Interment will follow in Walnut Hill Memorial Gardens.
Dorothy Ann Chavers
September 27, 2024
With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of our beloved matriarch Dorothy Ann Chavers, affectionately known as Dottie. She peacefully departed this world on September 22, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, and strength.
Born on August 19, 1943, in Uriah, Alabama, to Maybell Hayes and Leo Gordon Melvin, Dottie was the youngest in her family. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Louise Singleton, Mary Lewis, Royce Melvin, Vester Melvin, and Daniel James (DJ) Melvin, whose bonds of love she cherished deeply.
She is also preceded in death by her loving husband, James Preston (JP) Chavers, with whom she shared 33 years of marriage. Their story was a testament to the enduring power of human connection, filled with adventures, including their 30 years in the military and living overseas in Germany. Together, they explored new cultures, and created memories which were passed down in stories to their great-grandchildren.
A mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Dottie leaves behind a loving family. Her son, Marty Preston Chavers; daughter-in-law, Mellanie Long Chavers; grandchildren, Becka Chavers Vactor married to Alex Vincent Vactor and Tyler Preston Chavers married to Desiri Dawn Chavers, and Nathaniel Mason Henschel; and great-grandchildren, August James Vactor, Violet Tillie Vactor, Winter Francesca Chavers, and Bowie Preston Chavers, will forever carry on her memory.
Dottie’s vibrant spirit was evident in her many passions. She was one of the best cooks around, a dedicated community member, a renowned cosmetologist, a teacher, a team mom, a mentor, everyone’s best friend, an active member of Pace Assembly, and a child of God. Her infectious enthusiasm and drive touched the lives of countless individuals.
She also cherished a deep friendship with William Lewis, who was a source of joy and companionship for two decades.
If Dottie were here today, she would undoubtedly say this obituary was, “Absolutely gorgeous!” Her words were a testament to her appreciation for God’s beauty, both in the world around her and in the hearts of those she loved.
A viewing will be held at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, Alabama on Friday, September 27, 2024, with a family viewing from 5:30 to 6:00 PM and a public viewing from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Her funeral service will be held Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Huxford Community of Christ Church from 1:00 to 2:00 PM, in Huxford, Alabama with Pastor Steve Zepp and High Priest Beth Linam officiating which will be live streamed and followed by a late lunch reception.
Interment will follow in Huxford Community of Christ Church Cemetery.
As we bid farewell, let us celebrate her life, her love, and her enduring spirit. Dottie’s memory will be one of strength, conviction, and resilience of the human heart. Flowers are appreciated but as an alternative, feel free to make a donation to the Parkinson’s Foundation www.parkinson.org.
Elam Jace Bailey
September 27, 2024
Elam Jace Bailey went home to walk with Jesus on September 11, 2024, at the age of 11. He came into this world on July 15, 2013, weighing almost 12 pounds and left it being too big and wonderful for this world. Elam was in the 6th grade at Beulah Academy of Science. He was loving the start of the school year and was so excited about school. He especially loved his agriculture class where he got to feed the animals. Elam absolutely loved his monkey blanket and everything to do with monkeys. If there was a tree, Elam was going to climb it.
To know Elam was to know a young man full of joy and endless energy. Elam had such a sweet spirit and was such a loving boy. Elam was a non-stop engine full of creativity and excitement, either playing Army, riding his dirt bike, swimming in the pool, looking for bugs and frogs, or building something with his Legos! He was a Master Builder with Legos and building up everyone he met. He was never at a loss to compliment anyone he met. Elam dreamed of being a soldier and spent countless hours pretending to be one. He would always try and speak to any service member or police officer to thank them for their service. His favorite things to eat were crab legs, Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos, Keto coconut yogurts (his momma had a hard time keeping them stocked), and Blue Bell vanilla ice cream. His favorite color was orange, and he loved everything camouflage. His favorite games were Roblox, My Singing Monsters, Minecraft, and Animal Crossing. He enjoyed chatting online with his best friend, Mabrey, being silly and cracking jokes. He loved to sing along to K-Love and was always humming a Mario Brothers theme song. He would watch Home Alone all year long, getting ideas for different types of traps to set in the house. Cardboard boxes were never safe in the house, as he was always turning them into some type of military machinery, outfit, or game.
He will always be remembered by his loving parents, Karen and Dwayne Bailey; brother, Urijah; beloved dog, Pepper; maternal great grandmother, Margie Lee Stokes; maternal grandparents, Mark (Paw Paw) and Juanette (Mamaw) Stokes; his paternal grandfather, Robert Gary Bailey (Papa Bailey). He is survived by the rest of his loving family which includes numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, who loved him so much.
Elam was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Elma Joyce Bailey; and his great aunt, Felicia “BeBee” Donovan.
Our time with Elam was way too short here on this earth, but we know he is watching over us from Heaven alongside the family and friends that have gone before us. Elam will live in our memories forever and will be missed more than words could ever describe.
Funeral services will be Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 1:30pm at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, Florida 32533. Visitation will be prior to service from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Burial will follow at Little Flock Primitive Baptist Cemetery, Molino, Florida.