Gulf Power And EREC Complete Hurricane Zeta Power Restoration
October 30, 2020
[Updated 1:50 pm] Gulf Power Company and Escambia River Electric Cooperative have completed power restoration following Hurricane Zeta
GULF POWER COMPANY
Gulf Power has restored power to all customers affected by Hurricane Zeta.
More than 52,000 Gulf Power customers, mostly in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, lost power as Hurricane Zeta moved through the Southeast. Gulf Power’s restoration team of more than 2,300, including more than 1,300 outside resources, worked through the night in between weather bands as it was safe to do so.
“We know that getting the power back on is critical for communities, and I want to thank our dedicated employees and all of the outside crews who safely worked around the clock to help us get our customers’ lights back on – even as Zeta’s outer bands moved through our service area,” said Marlene Santos, president of Gulf Power. “We appreciate the willingness of our sister company Florida Power & Light and others to help us restore power for our customers, and we thank our customers for their support throughout this very active storm season.”
ESCAMBIA RIVER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
As of early Friday afternoon, Escambia River Electric Cooperative has completed power restoration in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
There were 6,126 EREC customers that lost power due to Hurricane Zeta – just over half of all of the cooperative’s customers.
“Line crews worked day and night making repairs to our power distribution system, and every member has now had their electricity restored. We thank our membership for their patience and support as our line crews worked to restore power as safely and quickly as possible,” EREC Vice President Sabrina Owens said.
Pictured: A lineman works to restore electricity in Escambia County following Hurricane Zeta. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Last Hurricane Sally Debris Collection Pass Begins December 1 In Escambia County
October 30, 2020
The third and final Hurricane Sally debris collection pass will begin on December 1, with a goal to finish all collections by Christmas.
Contractors have removed 2,755,927 cubic yards of debris so far, which equals 431 football fields piled three feet high.
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.
Drop Off Instructions for Residential Vegetative Debris Drop Off Sites
In addition to curbside removal of debris for residents, residential drop off sites are accepting vegetative debris generated by Hurricane Sally. This is for private, residential use only, NO COMMERCIAL DEBRIS. Hurricane Sally debris drop off sites are open for Escambia County residents only and will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 a.m., until further notice. Residents need to bring ID and proof of residency.
Drop Off Locations:
- Escambia County Equestrian Center at 7750 Mobile Highway
- John R. Jones Athletic Complex at 555 East Nine Mile Road
- Oak Grove Convenience Center at 745 North Highway 99
- Baars Field at 13020 Sorrento Road
- Lexington Terrace at 900 S Old Corry Field Road
- Park East at 1233-1235 at Fort Pickens Road
If residents would like to drop off construction and demolition debris, they can do so at the following locations (ordinary fees apply):
- Perdido Landfill (Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
- Oak Grove Convenience Center (Fridays and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Pictured: Debris pick up on North Highway 99. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FDOT: No Additional Damage To Pensacola Bay Bridge After Zeta
October 30, 2020
Inspectors from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) found that the Pensacola Bay Bridge did not suffer any additional damage due to Hurricane Zeta.
Prior to the storm, FDOT personnel and bridge contractors were preparing for the anticipated storm surge, rainfall and wind impacts forecasted for northwest Florida. Tuesday morning, the bridge repair team relocated and moored equipment in secure locations away from the Pensacola Bay Bridge. Crews are currently mobilizing equipment back to the bridge to continue demolition and repair efforts.
FDOT has mobilized three bridge contractors on site to expedite demolition and design including:
- Debris from two spans has been cleared along with the complete removal of one damaged span of the bridge as crews continue to carefully remove damaged portions from additional spans to minimize impacts to the existing structure. One barge remains under the bridge. To date, 21 of the 27 barges have been removed from the area.
- Design is underway for the permanent repairs and reestablishment of four lanes of traffic on the bridge with a focus on substructure repairs which includes the piers. Modified pier design has been reviewed and approved by FDOT, which uses six new piles instead of four piles in the existing footing.
The fabrication of multiple concrete piles, piers, and beams will be required to repair the Pensacola Bay Bridge. To date:
- Fifty-one concrete piles are on-hand at the precast yard. Additional piles are currently being cast and thirty-three concrete piles have been ordered from another facility in Tampa.
- Forty-two prestressed beams have been cast.
- Additional beams will be cast based on the final analysis of some of the damaged areas.
- Replacement piers will begin casting by mid-November 2020.
FDOT has been continuously working to improve the traffic flow along the Pensacola Bay Bridge detour routes and has reduced the average commute time by 25 percent. Additional improvements are underway as construction has begun to widen 2,000 feet of northbound and southbound S.R. 281 south of the I-10 interchange and widen the eastbound I-10 off ramp at eastbound S.R. 281 off ramp to two lanes.
To reinforce FDOT Secretary Kevin J. Thibault’s, P.E. expectation of complete transparency and community assistance, FDOT’s outreach team has met with stakeholder groups, state and local officials, civic organizations and local business owners to discuss the bridge reconstruction as well as other actions that are being considered to efficiently restore regional connectivity. FDOT will continue to meet with multiple stakeholder groups throughout the course of the project.
FDOT continues to develop and improve alternative transportation solutions to move people and goods safely and efficiently through the region while the Pensacola Bay Bridge is being repaired. Examples include:
- Funding the Escambia County Area Transit’s (ECAT) temporary bus route to help transport passengers between the Pensacola Bay Center Park in Escambia County and the Tiger Point Community Center City in Gulf Breeze. ECAT has modified the original route to include stops at the ECAT Transfer Center in Pensacola, the Palm Beach Club and Pensacola Beach Boardwalk in Pensacola Beach, and Gulf Breeze Hospital.
- Gathering information such as potential ridership, times of operation, and duration of service as well as reviewing existing facilities that would be necessary for the safe operation of a ferry.
The Pensacola Bay Bridge has a targeted re-opening date of early March 2021. Once repairs are complete, all four lanes will be open with no load restrictions and at the same condition as expected for new construction. As each repair method is developed, FDOT will be conducting reviews to ensure the contractor is hitting all milestones in the established schedule.
Motorists should continue to use all available detour routes, which include the Garcon Point Bridge and State Road 87. At this time, tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge have been suspended through 6 a.m., Friday, November 13.
Lane Closures Planned All Weekend At Nine Mile, Pine Forest Intersection
October 30, 2020
There were be alternating lane closures at the intersection of Nine Mile and Pine Forest roads from 8 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday as crews pave and restripe the intersection, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Traffic control officers will be on-site to help direct traffic, but drivers can expect delays.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
45,000 Pounds Of Food To Be Given Away Saturday In Walnut Hill, Century
October 30, 2020
Food giveaways will be held Saturday in both Walnut Hill and Century.
A 30,000 pound Farm Share food distribution will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday in Walnut Hill at Bradberry Park on Highway 99A, just behind Ernest Ward Middle School. This will be a drive-thru event and participants should stay in their car. The event is hosted by Justified Incarcerated Ministries and Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry.
A 15,000 pound food giveaway will be held Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at the Century Business Center, 130 Pond Street. Attendees should stay in their vehicle.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Two Injured When Dump Trucks Crash On Highway 29
October 29, 2020
Two people were injured when three vehicles, including two dump trucks, collided on Highway 29 Thursday afternoon.
One dump truck rear-ended another on southbound Highway 29 at Old Chemstrand Road, and a third smaller truck was also involved.
One person was transported by Escambia County EMS and a second person was reportedly taken to the hospital by private vehicle. One other person was not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Expects To Complete Restorations By Midnight; EREC Has Restored Two-Thirds Of Outages
October 29, 2020
Gulf Power expects to restore most Hurricane Zeta outages today, and Escambia River Electric Cooperative has restored about two-thirds of their outages.
ESCAMBIA RIVER ELECTRIC
Escambia River Electric was hit particularly hard by Hurricane Zeta with over half of their customers in northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties left without power. Of the 6,126 that lost power, EREC had restored about two-thirds. There were 1,715 still without power as of 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
“We are following the proper steps in power restoration to bring the largest number of members back online in the shortest amount of time. All substations are now energized, and crews are working on main distribution lines and, in some areas, individual tap lines,” EREC Vice President Sabrina Owens said. “Work on our power system will not stop until every member’s electricity has been restored.”
GULF POWER
About 17,000 Gulf Power customers were in the dark after Hurricane Zeta in Escambia County. By late afternoon, service had been restored to all but 457.
“We estimate that power will be essentially restored to all customers by midnight,” Gulf Power said in a statement.
Pictured: Post Hurricane Zeta power restoration efforts by Gulf Power (above) and Escambia River Electric Cooperative (below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Early Voting In Escambia County Resumes Following Hurricane Zeta
October 29, 2020
Early voting in Escambia County reopens at 11 a.m. Thursday.
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections has confirmed all 10 locations are ready to go following Hurricane Zeta.
The early voting sites in Escambia County are:
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse, 7500 N Century Blvd, Century
- Molino Community Center, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Mobile Hwy/Pine Forest Rd Early Voting Center, 6675 Pine Forest Rd, Suite 11
- UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, University Parkway
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 B, 9th Avenue
- Main Library, 239 Spring Street
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
Each location will be open until 7 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Pictured: The early voting location at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century is one of 10 in Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
3-Year Old Abducted By His Mother Now Safe, ESCO Says
October 28, 2020
UPDATE: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says Takei Smith has been safely located. No additional information was provided.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says a toddler was abducted by his mother on Wednesday.
The ECSO said Takei Dejayy Smith was taken by his mother Jaclyn Smith.
Jaclyn Smith does not have legal custody of Takei. They were seen leaving the 1600-block of Dogwood Place, near the New Warrington Spur and Mobile Highway. Takei was wearing a white shirt and has green dreads.
Jaclyn Smith is wanted for violation of a domestic violence order and interfering with child custody. If you have any information about their whereabouts, call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or 911.
The ECSO said no photo of Jaclyn Smith was available.
Man Charged With Changing Voter Registration Information Of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
October 28, 2020
A Naples man has been arrested for changing the voter registration of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Steven Guevara, 20, is charged with unauthorized access of a computer and altering a voter registration without consent.
FDLE agents began investigating Monday after Governor DeSantis learned his address in the Florida voting registration database was changed to an address in West Palm Beach.
FDLE said the registration address was changed via computer over a web browser. Agents were able to identify Guevara as the suspect and arrested him at his home following a search warrant Tuesday night.
Agents believe Guevara also accessed the voter registrations of U.S. Senator Rick Scott and sports celebrities Michael Jordan and LeBron James, but made no changes.
FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said, “I am proud of the quick and detailed work of our agents on this case and appreciate the hard work of the offices of State Attorneys Amira Fox and Jack Campbell. FDLE is committed to ensuring the voting rights of Florida citizens are protected, and we will continue to work with our local, state and federal partners in ensuring the security of our elections.”
Guevara was booked into the Collier County Jail on a $5,000 bond. This case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 20th Judicial Circuit.