Wildfire Evacuation Lifted Near Chumuckla; Fire Burns North Of Flomaton
March 19, 2025
UPDATE: Wildfire evacuations have been lifted near Chumuckla.
Chumuckla Springs Road, Mineral Springs Road, Sid Hayes Road and Watson Road have all been reopened. No homes were damaged by the fire and the evacuation recommendation has been lifted for the area.
Update from Florida Forest Service Blackwater Forestry Center:
The brush fire is 60% contained at 160 acres. All forward progress has been stopped, and a line has been established around the fire perimeter. The Florida Forest Service will remain on the scene to strengthen lines for the next several hours and continue to monitor the area tomorrow morning, Thursday, March 20.
Residents have been evacuated due to a large brush fire near Jay, and there is a large wildfire burning near I-65 north of Flomaton.
Currently, the Santa Rosa County brush fire is approximately 200 acres and residents in the area are being evacuated.
The following roadways in Jay are closed due to a brush fire:
- Chumuckla Springs Road, from Mineral Springs Road to just north of Howell Pit Road
- Mineral Springs Road from Chumuckla Springs Road to Sid Hayes Road
- Sid Hayes Road from Mineral Springs Road to Watson Road
- All of Watson Road
Florida Forest Service says five tractor plow units are on scene, as well as brush trucks. They’re currently doing structure protection operations in the area.
An unrelated wildfire is burning along Stanley Road near Coleman Road, west of Highway 113 at I-65. Fire departments from both Escambia County in Alabama and Escambia County in Florida are on scene. Alabama authorities have not provided further details on evacuations, if any. No updates have been provided.
Chance Of Overnight Showers; Storms Not Expected
March 19, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A chance of showers between 10pm and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night: Areas of frost after 5am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 34. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight.
Friday: Widespread frost, mainly between 7am and 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 44. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Today Is Special Election Day In Century For Vacant Council Seat
March 18, 2025
Voters in Century will head to the polls on today in a special primary election to fill a vacant town council seat.
Three candidates will appear are the ballot for Century Town Council Seat 4. John Bass, Kathryn Fleming and Lizbeth Harrison are vying for the position.
The seat was left vacant after Alicia Johnson was appointed interim mayor after Luis Gomez, Jr., resigned for health reasons. Johnson chose not to run for the seat.
A candidate will need one more than 50% of the vote to be declared the winner; otherwise, there will be a general election on April 29.
Polls will be open on election day from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse at 7500 North Century Boulevard in Century. The election is nonpartisan and open to any registered voter that lives within the town limits. The voter registration deadline has passed.
We will have election results here on NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured top: (L-R) Century council candidates John Bass (submitted photo), and Kathryn Fleming and Lizbeth “Sparkie” Harrison (NorthEscambia.com photos).
East Kingsfield Closed Today At Railroad Crossing West Of 29
March 18, 2025
East Kingsfield Road west of Highway 29 will be closed today as Escambia County public works crews resurface the roadway at the railroad tracks.
Traffic headed east on East Kingsfield Road will be detoured to Pompano Street. Westbound traffic on East Kingsfield Road will be diverted through a one-way lane closure. Motorists traveling west on East Kingsfield Road should use extra caution and follow road crew instructions and posted signs when traveling through the work zone. The road is expected to reopen by Wednesday, March 19.
Residents, pedestrians, local traffic and emergency vehicles will have access to properties within the work area at all times; however, there may be short periods when a driveway or entrance may be blocked temporarily as equipment and materials are moved during construction.
Sunny, Middle 70s For Tuesday
March 18, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 38. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Areas of frost before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 77.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73.
Sunny Start To Spring Break; Midweek Showers Possible
March 17, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 65. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 42. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 62. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 38. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Trouble Spots
March 17, 2025
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers on Gregory Street, from North Palafox Street to 14th Avenue, will encounter alternating, intermittent lane closures Sunday, March 16 through Thursday, March 20, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and paving operations.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) – The week of Sunday, March 16, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., as crews place thermoplastic striping and perform traffic signalization work.
- Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Pine Forest Road, from Mobile Highway to Blue Angel Parkway, Sunday, March 16 through Friday, March 21, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signs are in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- North Palafox Street, between Hope Drive and Whitehead Drive, will have intermittent daytime lane closures. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- I-10 between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- A new temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound is now open. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line – Drivers on North Century Boulevard, between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line, may encounter intermittent lane closures for paving operations. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, March 16, through Friday, March 21, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Sunny Sunday, High About 70
March 16, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 71. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 42. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 41. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 63.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 38.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Tornado Watch Until 3 AM
March 15, 2025
A tornado watch is in effect until 3 a.m. for the entire area.
Strong, long-track tornadoes, damaging winds over 70 mph and large hail greater than two inches are all possible.
There will be isolated storms on Saturday afternoon followed by a squall line into the overnight hours
We will update this story during the day as conditions change. Plus, look for live local weather warnings and updates that matter to you on our NorthEscambia.com Facebook page.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 10pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 10pm and 1am. Some of the storms could be severe. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 54. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 65. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 40. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 63.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 38.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Update: A Detailed Look At Expected Severe Weather Outbreak
March 14, 2025
A severe weather outbreak is expected Saturday through Saturday night. A complete breakdown of what is expected locally is below. (More graphics are at the bottom of the page. Click any graphic to enlarge.)
Tonight through early Saturday morning: We are anticipating isolated thunderstorms to develop late this evening into the overnight hours, especially for areas west. This initial round of storms is rather conditional, however, if storms do manage to develop, they will be capable of producing damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes.
Saturday afternoon through Saturday night: The initial round of storms should come to an end by daybreak. In fact, we may actually have a brief dry period through the rest of the morning hours. Do not let this fool you though as scattered thunderstorms are expected to redevelop during the afternoon hours. The environment by this point will be supportive of a likely severe outbreak, consisting of strong to potentially violent long-track tornadoes, damaging to destructive winds, and large hail. This round will come in two waves: the scattered thunderstorms during the afternoon followed by a broken squall line during the evening hours. The North Escambia area is in a Moderate Risk [risk level 4/5]. Do not focus on where the high risk area is located. Our entire local area will be primed for significant severe weather so do not let your guard down . Be sure to have multiple ways to receive warnings. Storms should diminish from west to east during the overnight hours Saturday into early Sunday morning.
Non-thunderstorm winds: Outside of thunderstorms, it will be quite windy across the area. Over land, a Wind Advisory is now in effect from 10am Saturday through 12am Sunday across the entire local area. Sustained winds of around 20-25 mph, with gusts to around 40 mph can be expected. Similarly, a Gale Warning is in place for our the Gulf waters out 60nm from 10am through 7pm on Saturday. Frequent gusts to around 35-40 knots and seas building to 7-10 feet can be expected in the warned area. A Small Craft Advisory is in place for our local bays and sounds for wind gusts to around 30 knots.
Beach/coastal hazards: The increase in winds will bring dangerous surf conditions to our local area beaches. A High Risk of rip currents goes into effect tonight and will last through Monday. A High Surf Warning will be in effect from noon Saturday through 6am Sunday for large breaking waves of around 7-9 feet. At this time, we are not expecting any large-scale minor coastal flooding, however, with the gusty winds and higher surf, some splashover cannot be ruled out over some of our typical flood-prone/low-lying areas along the coast.
The detailed forecast for the North Escambia area:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then a chance of showers between 1pm and 4pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Some of the storms could be severe. High near 76. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1am and 4am, then a slight chance of showers after 4am. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 57. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Sunday: A 10 percent chance of showers before 7am. Sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 43. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 67. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 42. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
