Escambia County: Final Nate Update
October 8, 2017
Here is the final update on Nate issued by Escambia County:
Current Situation
- The Citizen Information Line is closed.
- Individuals in Escambia County who need help with home damage directly resulting from Hurricane Nate may call Northwest Florida 2-1-1 for referral to organizations that MAY be able to assist. To access, dial 211, if in Escambia County, Florida at the time of the call.
- The toll on the Bob Sikes Bridge Toll Plaza will be reinstated at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8.
- Red flags are flying on Pensacola Beach. Red flags represent high surf and/or dangerous currents. No swimming or wading in the Gulf of Mexico
- The Escambia County Emergency Operations Center has returned to level 3 operations, or monitoring with normal day-to-day staffing levels, at noon, Sunday, Oct. 8.
- There currently is not expected to be any significant river flooding. Emergency management will continue to monitor local rivers.
Damage Assessments
- Pensacola Beach experienced minor beach erosion with an estimated 250,000-450,000 cubic yard loss of sand.
- Perdido Key had no damage, but experienced some minimal sand shifting.
- Escambia County and City of Pensacola crews have finished their initial assessments, with no significant damage to report.
- Fire crews responded to 13 storm-related calls over night. This included power arching, downed power lines, alarm systems and one downed tree on a home located in the 2300 block of Bobwhite Lane. No injuries were reported.
Reporting County Issues
- Residents can request non-emergency services for road issues, Pensacola Beach resident services, stormwater maintenance and much more through Ask MyEscambia, a mobile and web application. Ask MyEscambia can be accessed on a desktop computer at MyEscambia.com/ask, or residents can download the mobile app for free by searching “Ask MyEscambia” in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or searching “PublicStuff” in the Windows Store or BlackBerry App World.
Traffic Conditions & Bridge Closures
- All bridges are open.
- There are no reports of uncleared debris in the roadway. To report a non-emergency road issue, click here or call 850-494-5860 Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To report an issue of an immediate nature after business hours, please call 850-937-2100.
- The toll on the Bob Sikes Bridge Toll Plaza will be reinstated at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8.
- Stefani Road at 9 Mile Road is closed due to a construction-related washout.
- J. Earle Bowden Way/399 between Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach is closed due to flooding.
- Rio Vista Drive is closed due to flooding.
- To view a real-time map of Escambia County road closures 24/7, visit www.myescambia.com/roadissuesmap.
- City of Pensacola road closures can be viewed here.
- For the latest closures and updates, travelers can access Florida’s 511 service from cell phones, landlines and online at www.FL511.com. For more information, follow FDOT on Twitter @myfdot_nwfl, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MyFDOTNWFL.
Health Advisory -Water Related Activities
- The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority reports that a power-failure related to Hurricane Nate has resulted in the release of an unknown amount of partially-treated effluent into the Santa Rosa Sound. FDOH-Escambia advises against any water-related activities due to the potential for high bacteria levels. FDOH-Escambia wants to emphasize that inland surface waters may be affected with potentially high bacteria counts due to possible storm-related damage to area sewage or septic systems.
- FDOH-Escambia has also issued a health advisory and advises against engaging in any water-related activities at the following locations due to the potential for high bacteria levels.
- Bayou Texar at Bayview Park
- Bayou Chico at Lakewood Park
- Bayou Grande at Navy Point Park
- Big Lagoon State Park
- Quiet Water Beach
- Sanders Beach
- For more information, contact the FDOH-Escambia Environmental Health office at 850-595-6700 or visit www.EscambiaHealth.com.
Pensacola International Airport
- Pensacola International Airport will remain closed Sunday, Oct. 8. Normal operations are expected to resume beginning Monday, Oct. 9.
County & City Offices/Courts
- All county offices will be open Monday, Oct. 8 for normal business hours.
- City of Pensacola offices will be open Monday, Oct. 8 for normal business hours.
- The judicial system is open Monday, Oct. 8 for normal business hours.
- All Escambia County Tax Collector’s offices are closed Monday Oct. 9, for a planned Professional Development Day.
Parks & Recreation
- The Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier is open.
- The Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge will open 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 8.
- Escambia County Parks crews will begin picking up small limbs and various small blown loose debris starting Monday, Oct. 9 across the county park system. Crews will also pick up washed up debris at the water’s edge at county boat ramps and public water access areas.
Schools, Colleges & Universities
- Pensacola State College will resume normal operations, activities and class schedules on Monday, Oct. 9.
- Monday, Oct. 9 is a scheduled professional development day for Escambia County School District teachers and staff, students do not attend school on this date.
- All UWF locations will be closed Saturday, Oct. 7 at noon through Monday, Oct. 9. This includes all classes, events, campus activities and online courses. Normal university operations, classes, events and campus activities will resume Tuesday, Oct. 10.
Shelters
- Shelters are closed.
Utilities
Mass Transit
- ECAT is not is service Sunday, Oct. 8. Drivers are on standby to help shelterees return home as needed. Service, including Routes 59X and 64 Beach Jumper will resume Monday, Oct. 9.
- Escambia County Community Transportation will resume normal services Monday, Oct. 9.
- UWF Trolley service will resume service Tuesday, Oct. 10.
9.
Vehicle Accident Ruptures High Pressure Gas Line
October 8, 2017
A vehicle stuck and ruptured a gas line outside Flomaton Saturday night, causing a high pressure natural gas leak.
The accident happened about 7:30 p.m. on Wolf Log Road near Jordan Road. The driver escaped their overturned vehicle without serious injury.
The gas leak shut down roadways in the area and led to the evacuation of the only nearby home.
The gas was turned off by a utility crew shortly after 8 p.m. without further incident or injury.
The Flomaton Fire Department, Flomaton Police Department, Escambia (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County (FL) EMS and the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue were among the agencies that responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Respond To Reported House Fire In Molino
October 8, 2017
Firefighters responded to a reported house fire in Molino Saturday night.
They arrived to find smoke in the structure, but the fire had reportedly been extinguished by the resident. There was no major damage reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Crews Work To Restore Power To Thousands
October 8, 2017
Thousands of people in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties lost power due to Hurricane Nate overnight.
Gulf Power reported that crews would be working to restore power as long as winds were below 35 mph, and EREC reported that crews would work to restore power as long as it was safe to do so.
Pictured: Gulf Power crews worked early Sunday morning to restore a power outage caused by Hurricane Nate. Pictured below: Gulf Power staged out of town crews at the Pensacola Fairgrounds for a fast response after Nate. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Post Storm Safety Tips From Gulf Power
October 8, 2017
Gulf Power offers the following post-storm tips:
- Treat any downed wire as if it is energized because you can’t tell by looking if a downed wire is live or not. Telephone or cable television wires that are touching a power line could become energized and should also be avoided. Call 911 to report the location of any downed lines.
- Don’t attempt to repair the electrical system or pull tree limbs off lines. Let our trained work crews perform this potentially dangerous work.
- Stay clear of areas where there is a lot of debris or downed trees because it could conceal an energized power line. Also stay clear of chain link fences which may be energized if touching a downed line.
- If you have an electric generator, please ensure that you have isolated your home or business from the utility electrical service lines by opening main breakers or other devices. Do not connect portable generators to your household electrical wiring. This can cause serious injury to you and to our employees working on the lines in your neighborhood. Connect only essential appliances – such as freezers and refrigerators — directly to the generator.
- If your power is off, turn off large appliances and air conditioners and wait 10 to 15 minutes after power has been restored before turning them back on.
- If there is damage to your meter box or the pole on top of your meter box, you must first have an electrician make repairs before we can restore your service.
- If there is flooding in your home or business, we may be unable to restore electric service until the building is inspected by city or county code officials.
- Stay away from areas where our crews are working. If driving, follow road signs, drive cautiously and follow directions in the area of a work crew.
- Please be patient. Our crews will work as fast as safety allows. Before neighborhood lines can be worked on, our crews must first repair larger lines that bring power to neighborhoods.
Century, Repton Split Saturday Youth Football Games
October 8, 2017
Here are Saturday scores from the Southwest Alabama Youth Football League:
Mighty Mites (4-7 year olds)
Century 30, Repton 14
Tiny Mites (8-10 year olds)
Repton 22, Century 14
Pee Wees (11-13 year olds)
Repton 56, Century 0
Escambia County (AL) Opens Shelters
October 7, 2017
Information below is specific to Escambia County (AL). For Escambia County (FL) information, click here.
Shelters were opened at:
New Beginnings Worship Center
Rachel Patterson Elementary School
Evacuees should bring any needed bedding (blankets, pillows, etc.), food, snacks, drinks, medications (must be self-administered), and items to occupy children (i.e. coloring books, reading books, small games, etc.). These are not medical needs shelters and medical personnel will not be on site.
FHP Issues Travel Advisory
October 7, 2017
The Florida Highway Patrol would like to remind motorists that during the upcoming storm to stay off the roadways during possible tropical storm force winds.
The FHP recommends that citizens follow the tips below:
• Slow down –. The roads remain slick after the storm so if you have to drive, decrease your speed to avoid hydroplaning.
• Buckle up – When it is finally safe to venture out, take the extra time to buckle your seatbelt. It is the law in Florida, and statistics continue to show that seatbelts save lives. Four of the reported deaths related to Tropical Story Fay involved motorists who were not wearing their seatbelts.
• Be cautious of high winds – Windy conditions adversely affect all vehicles, particularly high profile vehicles, such as buses and trucks, as well as motorcycles. Gusty wind makes driving difficult, especially when it is rapidly changing speed and direction.
• Turn around; don’t drown – Prepare for standing water. Never drive through flooded areas, even if you are familiar with the roads. The area of roadway you cannot see beneath the water may be washed out or the water may conceal debris, tree branches or even power lines.
• Pay attention – You may come up on an intersection that is no longer controlled by a traffic control device. If a police officer is directing traffic, follow their directions. Otherwise, treat the intersection as you would treat an intersection governed by a four-way Stop sign.
Jay Royals Beat The Northview Chiefs (With Gallery)
October 7, 2017
The Jay Royals beat the Northview Chiefs for the first time in a decade Friday night. The Royals topped the Chiefs 48-18 in Jay.
“Early turnovers hurts us,” Northview Coach Dereck Marshman said. “Big plays and missed tackles work hand in hand….we felt pretty good about our preparation on tackling coming in, but it failed us. And then we’ve got to learn to finish drives. We moved the ball between the 30 and 30 pretty good, but once we got into the red zone, it just stopped. The better team tonight won.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
For a bonus gallery click here – features cheerleaders and bands from both teams.
The Chiefs were the first on the scoreboard on a hand-off from quarterback Seth Killam to sophomore Aunterio Minor from eight yards out. With a missed point after attempt, the Chiefs were up 6-0 with 9:35 to go in the first quarter.
The Royals responded with six points of their own in the first quarter before exploding in the second quarter with 24 more points. The Chiefs were held to just six more points on a Trent Peebles touchdown dive with 1:17 to go in the second quarter.
At the half, the Royals were up 30-12.
The Royals added another TD in the third and two touchdowns in the fourth. The Chiefs’ only score of the second half came as Tim Bush score a touchdown with 3:43 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Jay Royals improved to 2-5 with the win. Northview’s season record fell to 1-6.
The Royals will face J.U. Blacksher of Uriah, AL, next Friday night. The Chiefs will celebrate homecoming as they host Pensacola Catholic in Bratt.
“We will reevaluate everything from the top down — coach, players — everything will be reevaluated,” Marshman said of the preparation for Catholic. Despite of a 1-7 record, Catholic will be one of the top teams Northview plays this season, he said. “It’s going to be a great challenge for us. They have great program with a lot of tradition.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
For a bonus gallery click here – features cheerleaders and bands from both teams.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power And EREC: ‘We Are Ready’
October 7, 2017
Both local electric utilities, Gulf Power and Escambia River Electric Cooperative, say they are ready for Nate.
GULF POWER
As Gulf Power customers and residents along the Gulf Coast prepare for impacts from Nate, the energy provider is preparing for potential impacts to its service area of heavy rain, wind and storm surge.
If Nate affects Northwest Florida, Gulf Power is expecting most of its impacts to be to the western portion of its service area. That does not rule out some minor impacts farther east to Panama City, Fla.
In preparation of the storm, all of Gulf Power’s 1,328 employees are shifting into storm mode and the company expects to activate the McCrary Storm & Training Center in Pensacola Saturday afternoon.
If Northwest Florida is impacted, Gulf Power crews are ready to restore power to customers after the storm, as soon as it’s safe to work. As a part of Southern Company, Gulf Power has secured extra crews from Georgia Power. The energy provider also has secured crews from Tennessee and Kentucky. These extra crews will be staging at Pensacola Fairgrounds.
As Gulf Power prepares for restoration, the utility encourages its customers to prepare to be without power for an extended period if tropical storm or hurricane-force winds and storm surge occur.
“Gulf Power has invested $225 million in ongoing storm resiliency projects across our region since Hurricane Ivan in 2004,” said Kimberly Blair, Gulf Power spokesperson. “Investments in our smart grid doesn’t mean customers won’t lose power during a storm. It means that our ongoing investment in our grid maintenance, upgrades and technology makes it much more resilient than years ago when Hurricane Ivan hit. Even though customers may lose power in a storm, a stronger grid means faster restoration times.”
Gulf Power teams rapidly deployed to restore power in less than two days when tropical force winds from Irma knocked out service to some 13,000 customers in the Panama City area.
“Our Gulf Power team trains and prepares for these storm events that have such a large impact on our communities and our customers’ lives,” said Blair. “We work hard to cultivate what we call a ‘culture of preparedness’. This culture has served our communities well in previous successful storm restoration events.”
The safety of Gulf Power customers is also important.
“We urge our customers to view storm safety tips on our website in preparation for the storm,” Blair said. “Most importantly we stress two important safety messages. If you see a downed power line, stay away and call 911 immediately. The line could still be energized and could also energize fences and other objects it’s touching. Also use your generators safely. Never use them indoors or in a garage. Three people died and several others were hospitalized from carbon monoxide poisoning when running a generator inside their homes after Hurricane Irma left them without power.
ESCAMBIA RIVER ELECTRIC
Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Inc. (EREC) employees have been placed on storm alert, and the emergency response plan has been activated in anticipation of possible effects of Nate. Members are encouraged to stay abreast of storm developments and take necessary safety precautions.
“We are watching Nate closely and all emergency response personnel are ready to respond to whatever the storm may bring our way. Additional co-op crews are on stand-by status to speed the recovery process if needed,” said Clay Campbell, EREC CEO/general manager.
EREC reminds the public that, in the event of outages, crews will begin making system repairs as soon as safely possible. Members are also encouraged to be mindful of their surroundings and to take safety precautions in the storm’s aftermath.