Final Hurricane Sally Debris Collection Pass Begins On Tuesday
November 30, 2020
The third and final Hurricane Sally debris collection pass begins Tuesday, with a goal to collect all of the roadside debris in Escambia County by Christmas.
To help expedite the process, separate debris for service. Vegetative debris like tree limbs need to be separate from construction and demolition materials like drywall and carpet. Keep debris away from storm drains, low power lines, other utilities and mailboxes.
Curbside Residential Debris Pickup Instructions
Escambia County residents, that can safely do so, are asked to place any storm-generated debris on the public right of way (the area of residential property that extends from the street to the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole or easement).
- Commercial-generated waste will not be accepted.
- Businesses should contact their waste collection service provider or a debris removal contractor. Business and commercial material is not eligible to be removed curbside by Escambia County.
- Nonprofits are allowed to place debris on public right of way for pickup.
Debris that was generated by Hurricane Sally should be placed and sorted on the area immediately adjoining the road in front of your home.
Residents are urged to separate the debris as follows:
- Vegetative Debris - whole trees and large limbs should be cut into lengths of four feet or less, tree stumps, tree branches, tree trunks and other leafy material
- Construction and Demolition Debris - damaged components of buildings and structures such lumber and wood, wall board, glass, metal, roofing materials, tile, furnishings and fixtures
- Appliances and White Goods - refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, ovens, ranges, washing machines, clothes dryers and water heaters
- Electronic Waste - computers, televisions, office electronic equipment, etc.
- Household Hazardous Waste - materials that are ignitable, reactive, toxic or corrosive such as paints, cleaners, pesticides, etc.
Do not place debris within four feet of:
- Mailboxes
- Water meters
- Fire hydrants, or any other above-ground utility
Escambia County contractors will make multiple passes through neighborhoods and along county right-of-way for debris removal. If your debris is not removed, please be patient. The crews will make additional passes along your road.
The county contractors have dedicated pieces of equipment for different debris streams (vegetation, C&D and stumps). Please understand that if vegetation is collected and C&D or stumps are left behind, they are not “missed,” but rather assigned to different trucks dedicated to that debris stream. Contractors cannot commingle debris streams in a single truck load.
Man Struck By Two Vehicles and Killed While Pushing Wheelchair Across Highway
November 30, 2020
A man died after being hit by two vehicles Saturday night as he was walking and pushing a wheelchair across an Escambia County roadway.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 61-year old man was pushing the wheelchair from the east shoulder towards the center turn lane on Mobile Highway near Walmart about 11:50 p.m.
The driver of a sedan was traveling north on Mobile Highway and did not see the pedestrian walking in the roadway, according to FHP. The sedan collided with the left side of the pedestrian, causing the pedestrian to fall onto the hood and windshield of the vehicle.
A southbound vehicle then collided with the pedestrian and the wheelchair.
The man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Daily Paving Delays This Week On Highway 29 From Cantonment To Molino
November 30, 2020
Drivers on Highway 29 can expect delays from Cantonment to Molino each day this week as contractors continue laying the final layer of asphalt.
There will be intermittent delays and lane closures between south of Muscogee Road to Highway 97 from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
The resurfacing work is weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
The Price At The Pump May Inch Up This Week, AAA Says
November 30, 2020
Floridians saw the lowest Thanksgiving gas prices in 12 years, according to AAA.
Florida gas prices have held steady at $2.03 per gallon for the past week. The state average is three cents less than a week ago, and 41 cents less than this time last year.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $2.09, about a penny more than last week and 30 cents less than one year ago.
“Floridians may see gas prices inch up a few pennies this week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Last week, vaccine optimism sent crude oil to its highest price since early March, before COVID-related lock downs were imposed across the country. Wholesale gasoline prices also increased as a result. A state average price of $2.08 per gallon is possible, unless fundamentals shift this week.”
Fire Destroys UPS Truck And The Packages Inside
November 29, 2020
Fire destroyed a UPS delivery truck, and the packages inside, Saturday morning on the I-10 bridge over Escambia Bay.
Anyone that may have a package on the truck can expect to be contacted by UPS or the shipper.
The fire reportedly started in the engine compartment of the delivery truck and spread. The driver escaped without injury.
The fire closed two eastbound lanes.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
COVID-19 Testing Continues This Week In Cantonment
November 29, 2020
Community Health of Northwest Florida COVID-19 testing continues five days a week in Cantonment.
The testing is Monday through Friday behind Community Health Northwest Florida’s Cantonment Pediatrics. It is drive-through with no prescreening required for all ages. Bring a photo identification and insurance card (if insured).
Rapid testing is now offered for symptomatic individuals by appointment only. These patients must call the Ascension Sacred Heart call center at (850) 746-2684 to be prescreened and scheduled.
For more information on Community Health testing, call (850) 436-4630.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
November 29, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no lane closures on state roads from through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29. These lane closure restrictions include both construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – closed until 2021.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers may encounter the following lane closures the week of Sunday, Nov. 29:
- Motorists traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage, median and pavement operations.
- Gregory Street (U.S. 98) and Bayfront Parkway (S.R. 196) Interchange Improvement at 17th Avenue- The intersection of North 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway will close to all vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic beginning Monday, Nov. 30 as construction activities advance for the new 17th Avenue interchange. The new interchange will include a flyover from the new westbound Pensacola Bay Bridge and a roundabout. The intersection will remain closed until the Pensacola Bay Bridge repairs are completed in spring 2021. The Visitor’s Center will remain accessible using 17th Avenue. In addition, the ramp from 17th Avenue to East Gregory Street will remain open. Eastbound drivers on Bayfront Parkway should use North 14th Avenue as a detour route.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter daytime lane restrictions as crews perform drainage and paving operations. The eastbound right turn lane will be closed intermittently during daytime hours. Westbound traffic will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures at Chemstrand Road for median removal.
- I-10 Pavement Coring Operations West Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) – There will be intermittent eastbound lane closures from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 30 through Thursday, Dec. 3 as crews perform pavement testing.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97)- Motorists can expect north and southbound closures from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30 through Friday, Dec. 4 as crews lay the final layer of asphalt.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – closed until 2021.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Clear Creek to S.R. 4- Drivers can expect intermittent daytime lane closures along the 14-mile corridor through fall 2020 as crews perform paving operations.
- I-10 Emergency Improvements at Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/ Exit 22)- Monday, Nov. 30 through Friday, Dec. 4, motorists will encounter nighttime shoulder closures and traffic shifts on the eastbound I-10 exit ramp as crews construct improvements for accommodating additional traffic due to the closure of Pensacola Bay Bridge. Alternating and intermittent lane restrictions will take place on Avalon Boulevard at the I-10 intersection from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. as crews perform widening and turn lane extensions.
FEMA May Be Able to Help if Insurance Doesn’t Cover Some Disaster Expenses
November 29, 2020
FEMA can’t duplicate insurance payments for Floridians with losses from Hurricane Sally, but it might be able to help with some expenses that aren’t covered fully by insurance. It’s a good idea to register with FEMA even if you have insurance.
FEMA may be able to provide grants in these circumstances:
- If the cost of your damage does not reach the level of your insurance deductible.
- If you have received the settlement from the insurance company but you still have unmet needs.
- If you have exhausted the settlement for Additional Living Expenses (for loss of use) and you need disaster-related temporary housing.
- If your settlement does not cover disaster-related needs such as medical, dental and funeral costs, emergency home repairs and other disaster-related expenses.
If your settlement has been delayed longer than 30 days, you may write to FEMA to explain your situation. Provide insurance documentation to prove you’ve submitted your claim, including the claim number, the date you applied and how long you estimate it will take for the company to settle and mail your letter. Mailing address:
FEMA – Individuals & Households Program
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-70155
Or fax it to 800-827-8112
The deadline to register with FEMA is Dec. 1, 2020. Residents of Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties can register by:
- Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov;
- Downloading the FEMA App; or by
- Calling 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should provide FEMA with their specific phone number assigned to that service.
Homeowners and renters may be eligible for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which can cover uninsured losses. Dec. 1, 2020 is the deadline homeowners and renters, businesses of all sizes, and nonprofit organizations to apply to the SBA for disaster loans for physical property damage. The deadline for working capital applications for small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations is July 2, 2021.
For additional information about SBA disaster loans, the loan application process, or for help completing the SBA application, visit SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email FOCE-Help@sba.gov to make an appointment for assistance over the phone. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339.
Deadline Is Monday For Discount On Real Estate, Tangible Property Taxes
November 28, 2020
An available 4 percent discount on payment of real estate and tangible personal property taxes ends Monday, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
To receive the 4 percent discount, payments must be:
- mailed with a November postmark;
- left by midnight, November 30, in a 24-hour drop box available at all locations; or
- made online by midnight, November 30, at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
Taxpayers are encouraged to visit our virtual office at EscambiaTaxCollector.com to pay online 24 hours a day. Our online services allow customers to pay their taxes, search records, print receipts, renew vehicle and vessel registrations and many other services. Customers who decide to visit one of our four convenient offices can drop off their payment in the drive thru or in one of our convenient drop boxes.
Pictured: The Escambia County Tax Collector Office in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Receive Money from FEMA? Keep Your Receipts To Show How You Used It
November 28, 2020
If you received Hurricane Sally recovery money from FEMA, the federal agency is reminding you to use the money for its intended purpose and to keep receipts for three years.
Disaster assistance is intended to help residents meet basic disaster-related needs. A letter explaining what the payment is to be used for arrives within a day or two of the check or direct deposit payment.
If applicants spend the payment on anything other than the purpose for which it is intended, they may be denied future disaster assistance. In some cases, FEMA may ask that the money be returned.
Those receiving assistance are urged to keep receipts for their disaster spending for three years to document that the money was used to meet disaster-related needs. If recipients receive an insurance settlement to cover the same expenses, they must reimburse FEMA. Audits are conducted to confirm funds were spent properly.
Disaster survivors in Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties with uninsured losses can apply by:
- Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov;
- Downloading the FEMA App; or by
- Calling 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should provide FEMA with their specific phone number assigned to that service.
Pictured: A Hurricane Sally damaged home in Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.