Noon Update: Gulf Power With 88,000 Still Without Power; EREC Down To 2,600
September 19, 2020
Here a midday update on power restoration progress from Gulf Power Company and Escambia River Electric Cooperative:
Gulf Power Company
Just over 90,000 Gulf Power customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were without power midday Saturay. The utility said based on initial assessments of the hardest-hit areas, they expect to restore 95% of customers who can receive power in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties by the end of the day on Tuesday, September 22. Gulf said many customers will be restored before that date.
“We know it’s difficult to be without power, but please know that our team of more than 7,000 is dedicated to getting the lights back on will not stop working until all of our customers have power restored,” Gulf Power President Marlene Santos said.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative
Midday Saturday, Escambia River Electric Cooperative reported 2,607 members without power, with 1,727 in Escambia County and 880 in Santa Rosa County. That was down from 10,919 right after the Category 2 hurricane.
“Our storm team is working hard day and night to restore power to our membership,” said EREC CEO Ryan Campbell. “We know our members are eager to get their electricity restored, and our crews will not stop working until everyone has power. The support our members have shown us has been amazing. We’ve had deliveries of snacks, doughnuts and even a sign placed in front of the co-op thanking our linemen. It’s great to be part of such a supportive community.”
Pictured: Two of 13 employees from SECO Energy in Sumterville, Florida, help restore power Friday on the Escambia River Electric Cooperative distribution system. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
30,000 Pound Emergency Food Distribution Held In Century
September 19, 2020
About 30,000 pounds of food was distributed Friday morning during an emergency giveaway in Century.
The Farm Share food distribution was held in conjunction with Northwest Florida Community Outreach. The food was distributed in drive thru fashion in accordance with CDC guidelines.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Winn Dixie Distributed Free Ice And Water On Friday
September 19, 2020
Winn Dixie distributed about 2,000 bags of ice and 1,700 cases of water Friday morning at their store on Highway 29 in Cantonment (pictured) and North Ninth Avenue. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Verizon Wireless Providing Free Calling, Texting And Data Following Hurricane Sally
September 19, 2020
Verizon is providing unlimited calling, texting and data through Monday for areas impacted by Hurricane Sally.
Customers do not have to take any action to take advantage of the offer in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida or Escambia County, Alabama, the company said. Customers can verify eligibility for the offer by entering their zip code here: https://www.verizon.com/featured/relief/.
Verizon customers can help the American Red Cross in their disaster relief efforts by texting the word HURRICANES to 90999 and $10 will be added to their Verizon Wireless bill upon confirmation of the billing zip code.
Pictured: This Verizon tower on West Highway 4 near Northview High School was one of dozens left without service due to Hurricane Sally. Verizon service from this tower was restored on Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Highway 29, Molino Road Wreck
September 19, 2020
There were no serious injuries in a two vehicle crash Friday afternoon on Highway 29 at Molino.
The vehicles collided about 4:51 p.m. Everyone refused transport to the hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded. The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Update: Status Of Power Restoration In Escambia, Santa Rosa
September 18, 2020
Here’s a midday report on power restoration efforts in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Gulf Power Company
Gulf Power has restored service for half of those that lost power in Hurricane Sally. Midday, there were 99,988 customers out in Escambia County and 25,300 in Santa Rosa County. There were 227,150 out immediately after the storm. Gulf Power said all customers than can receive power should be back on by the end of day Tuesday, September 22, but many will be before that date.
Escambia River Electric
Escambia River Electric has restored 41% of their outages. There are currently 5,936 outages – 3,182 in Escambia County and 2,754 in Santa Rosa.
“We appreciate our members’ patience as crews work around the clock making power system repairs. Restoration efforts will not stop until everyone’s electricity has been restored,” EREC Vice President Sabrina Owens said.
Immediately after the storm, 95% of EREC customers were without power, included all members in Escambia County.
Here Are Key Points From Escambia County Hurricane Sally Press Conference; Info On Power, Water, Gas
September 18, 2020
Here are key takeaway points from an Escambia County press conference Friday morning on Hurricane Sally. Information is included on power restoration, ECUA, gas and other important items.
- Urban search and rescue teams are out in flooded neighborhoods.
- Rescue operations continue with door to door searches.
- EMS responded has responded to wrecks at three intersections without working traffic lights.
- Don’t be on the roads unless absolutely necessary. Treat non-working traffic lights as 4-way stops.
- Still a lot of downed trees and power lines on the roadways. Downed power lines could be live at anytime, stay away.
- Do not call 911 unless it is a life threatening emergency.
- ECUA — water conservation is important because of the sewage situation. About 250 lift stations without power.
- ECUA customers service phone lines are down due to Cox outage.
- Pensacola Beach now has water service.
- ECUA will pick up Thursday and Friday trash routes on Saturday. No recyclables.
- All ECUA customers remain on a boil water notice.
- Less than 300 people in shelters.
- Escambia County working with federal and state authorities.
- Still problems with communications, especially wireless voice and data.
- Sheriff Morgan: We are not the gas pump police. You have to get in line and not cut in front of people at gas pumps. Common sense, he said.
- Pensacola Chamber – no problem with fuel supply to the area; the problem is electric power to gas stations.
- Stay away from Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key, unless you are getting food or gas stay at home. You are holding up progress, Morgan said.
- Two axle vehicles can cross the Bob Sikes Bridge.
- Discard food that has not been kept below 40 degrees or that has contacted flood waters – health department
- Keep generators outside at least 20 feet away from open doors and window to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Pensacola Energy is up and running. Call 811 if you smell natural gas.
- Pensacola airport may possibly open Friday afternoon. Not yet confirmed.
- 82 roads in the City of Pensacola are blocked by down trees. Many roads in the county also blocked.
- Use only Florida licensed contracts. Check companies out at myfloridalicense.com or call (850) 595-3590.
Gulf Power Expects To Restore Most Customers By Tuesday; EREC Restores Thousands
September 18, 2020
Gulf Power Company and Escambia River Electric Cooperative continue to restore power to those left in the dark by Hurricane Sally.
Gulf Power Company
In just one day, Gulf Power Company had restored 40% of the customers impacted by Hurricane Sally, but the company said heavy traffic combined with closed and damaged roads and bridges was slowing progress.
Based on initial assessments of the hardest-hit areas, Gulf Power expects to restore 95% of customers who can receive power in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties by the end of the day on Tuesday, September 22. Many customers will be restored before this date, and the company hopes to narrow down more specifics by Saturday.
By Thursday night, Gulf had restored service to more than 126,000 customers affected by Hurricane Sally. That left approximately 157,000 customers without electricity mainly in the hardest hit areas of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
“We know that in the wake of a hurricane customers want to know when they will get their lights back on,” said Marlene Santos, president of Gulf Power. “Our crews worked throughout the night and day restoring power and conducting assessments of damage to the energy grid so we could provide the best estimates of power restoration for our customers. We have a workforce of 7,000 committed to restoring power and you have our commitment that we will continue to work around the clock until every customer is restored.”
Escambia River Electric
About 95% of Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers lost power after Hurricane Sally — including every EREC member in Escambia County. All total 10,919 of 11,463 EREC customers lost power.
“EREC’s power system took a heavy hit from Hurricane Sally,” said EREC spokesperson Sabrina Owens. “Crews are working nonstop making repairs to our electrical system. Line personnel from other co-ops are assisting our crews in a massive restoration effort.”
Transmission lines to the Bratt and Oak Grove power substations were repaired Thursday, which immediately brought several hundred service addressed back online.
As of early Friday morning, there were 6,403 EREC customers — about 56% — still without power.
“We appreciate your patience, and we want members to know that work will not stop until everyone’s electricity has been restored,” Owens said.
All Hands On Deck” DeSantis Prioritizes Power Restoration After Hurricane Sally
September 18, 2020
During a visit to Escambia County Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said power restoration and reconstruction were the next priorities after of Hurricane Sally.
“We have all hands on deck,” DeSantis said. “We want to make sure to continue to keep people safe, rescue if needed, get that power back on.”
“Power is a major, major initiative and priority at this point,” he said.
DeSantis said clearing debris is a problem, and he’s instructed the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Highway Patrol to “do whatever you need to do” to make sure utility trucks can get to damaged areas.
And he also asked residents to stay off the roads until travel is absolutely necessary.
“If you’re somebody that is just kinda going out to drive to drive, now may not be the best time to do that,” DeSantis said. “It’s really slowing down being able to get all the utility trucks where they need to be.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) has deployed hundreds of generators, water pumps and light towers to help relieve the area of outages and flooding. The generators, among other purposes, will be used to service key structures and traffic lights. The light towers will allow utility crews to continue restoration efforts overnight.
The DEM has also supplied the region with 972,000 water bottles, 279,000 meals, and several mobile feeding kitchens.
DeSantis was joined by Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, FDEM Director Jared Moskowitz, Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault, Congressman Matt Gaetz and numerous local officials.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Attorney General Expands Price Gouging Hotline Due To Hurricane Sally
September 18, 2020
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has expanded Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline to receive reports of price increases on essential commodities in the wake of Hurricane Sally.
Florida’s price gouging laws only apply within the areas of the declared state of emergency — including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties — and only for commodities and services essential to recovering from the storm event.
During a storm-related declared state of emergency, state law prohibits excessive increases in the price of essential commodities, such as food, water, hotel rooms, ice, gasoline, lumber and equipment, needed as a direct result of the event. Anyone who suspects price gouging should report it to the Attorney General’s Office by using the NO SCAM app or by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM. The Attorney General’s NO SCAM app can be downloaded for free through Apple and Android stores by searching NO SCAM.
Pictured: Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody speaks with Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan (above) and County Administrator Janice Gilley (below) during a visit to the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center on Thursday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.