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Category 1 Hurricane Sally Continues To Hit Escambia County With 80 MPH Winds

Winds in Hurricane Sally decreased  to 80 mph as of 10  a.m.. The storm made landfall  Wednesday in Gulf Shores with winds of 105 mph at 4:45 a.m.

10 AM UPDATE

HURRICANE AND FLOOD WARNINGS CONTINUE

At 1000 AM CDT (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Sally was located
by NWS Doppler radar and surface observations near latitude 30.6
North, longitude 87.4 West. Sally is moving toward the north-
northeast near 5 mph (7 km/h), and a north-northeastward to
northeastward motion at a slightly faster forward speed is expected
later today and tonight. A faster northeastward motion is forecast
Thursday and Thursday night. On the forecast track, the center of
Sally will move across the extreme western Florida panhandle and
southeastern Alabama through early Thursday, move over central
Georgia on Thursday, and move over South Carolina Thursday night.

Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 80 mph (130 km/h)
with higher gusts. Additional weakening is expected as the center
moves farther inland this afternoon and tonight, and Sally is
forecast to become a tropical depression by Thursday morning.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles
(205 km).

RAINFALL: Through this afternoon, Sally will produce additional
rainfall totals of 8 to 12 inches with localized higher amounts
possible along and just inland of the central Gulf Coast from west
of Tallahassee, Florida to Mobile Bay, Alabama. Storm totals of 10
to 20 inches to isolated amounts of 35 inches are expected. Historic
and catastrophic flooding, including widespread moderate to major
river flooding, is unfolding

WIND: Hurricane conditions will continue this afternoon within
portions of the hurricane warning area in Florida and Alabama.
Tropical storm conditions will continue in portions of the warning
areas through tonight.

TORNADOES: A few tornadoes may occur today and tonight across
portions of the Florida Panhandle, southeast Alabama, and southwest
Georgia.

NorthEscambia.com will update this story, and the graphics on this page will continually update with the latest information from the National Hurricane Center.

The latest specific information is in the graphics on this page.

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High Water Rescues Underway Across Escambia County, Including Cantonment

The Escambia County Sheriffs Office, National Guard and Escambia County Fire Rescue are using high water vehicles to rescue people in homes in Bristol Park in Cantonment and neighborhoods off of Blue Angel near Dog Track Road, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

There are reports of people trapped by water across Escambia County.

NorthEscambia.com photo.

National Guard Troops Deployed To Escambia County With High Water Rescue Vehicles

National Guard troops were deployed in Escambia County to assist with Hurricane Sally rescues.

Florida Sen. Doug Broxson said that 125 members of the Florida National Guard were deployed in the county along with high water rescue vehicles. The vehicles were staged at the Escambia Fire Rescue Stations in Molino, Beulah, Ensley, Myrtle Grove, Warrington and the Pensacola fire station on North Davis Highway. The vehicles can be driven through several feet of water.

Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, the National Guard used the vehicles to respond to multiple calls throughout the county alongside Escambia Fire Rescue.

Pictured top: Escambia Fire Rescue Engine 6 “B” watch with a Florida National Guard support unit Tuesday night. Pictured below: National Guard high water rescue vehicles at the Ensley and Molinos stations of Escambia Fire Rescue. NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.

Escambia And Santa Rosa Schools, PSC, UWF And Pensacola Christian Closed Until Monday

Public schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will remain closed for the rest of the week.

The University of West Florida, Pensacola State College, Pensacola Christian Academy, and Pensacola Christian Academy will also remain closed until Monday.

Members Should Contact EREC In Case Of A Power Outage. Here’s How.

Escambia River Electric Cooperative is encouraging members to contact them in case of an outage rather than relying on their electronic meters.

EREC’s electric meters are designed to automatically detect and report power outages, but members are asked to report all outages in case the meter signal is obstructed.

Outages can be reported in one of three ways:

EREC crews will continue to work day and night restoring power as long as conditions are safe.

Pensacola Beach Water Shut Off Until After Hurricane Sally Passes

All water service to Pensacola Beach was shut off Tuesday night due to a water main break and sewer system problems.

According to a statement from ECUA released Tuesday night:

“A significant water main break has occurred on Pensacola Beach and ECUA crews are unable to respond due to current storm conditions and the bridge closures.  ECUA will have to shut off the water system at approximately 11:00 pm tonight or until water pressure falls significantly.  Storm surge and tide levels will also inundate the sewer collection system, which further necessitates the need to shut off the water system.  We urge residents who are still on Pensacola Beach to store water if possible.  ECUA will dispatch crews to locate the break and make repairs as soon as possible post-storm.”

Here Are The Key Points From Escambia County Afternoon Hurricane Sally Press Conference

Here are key takeaway points from an Escambia County news conference Tuesday afternoon on Hurricane Sally:

• Historic flood event possible, up to 30 inches of rain
• Tropical storm force winds, hurricane winds possible by Wednesday morning
• Strong tropical force winds, heavy rain includes entire county north to Alabama
• Not much improvement in weather until late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
• Only  voluntary evacuations in Zone A: Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key, Innerarity Point
• Storm surge expected 3-5 feet
• Rush storm preparations to completion
• Six high water vehicles received from the state, swift water rescue team coming in
• Emergency Operations Center staffed 24/7
• 125 National Guard members being sent to Escambia County
• Sen. Broxson: Barge did strike Pensacola Bay Bridge. Bridge closed; damage evaluation won’t happen until waters calm

Pictured: A Tuesday afternoon press conference at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center.

Santa Rosa County Hurricane Sally Update

Here is the latest Hurricane Sally update from Santa Rosa County:

• Sally’s track shifted slightly east from the last advisory and the latest forecast brings the core of the hurricane across coastal Alabama Wednesday morning.
• A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Santa Rosa County.
• A Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for coastal portions of the western Florida Panhandle.  This includes Escambia and Pensacola bays.
• Surge values were slightly increased for western Florida panhandle where 3-5 feet is now possible.
• Frequent tropical storm force gusts over the immediate coast this morning will gradually spread inland this afternoon into tonight.
• Sustained tropical storm force winds are increasingly likely, especially by tonight along the immediate coast and continue into Wednesday morning. Gusts of 50-70 mph possible in Escambia/Santa Rosa Counties tonight into Wednesday morning.
• Tropical storm conditions may not subside until late Wednesday afternoon/evening.
• HISTORIC FLOODING EVENT LIKELY
  • Locally up to 30” of rain is possible, especially in coastal Alabama and the western Florida panhandle. This will result in extreme life threatening and likely historic flooding.
  • The flood threat remains unchanged from the previous forecasts.
• STAY OUT OF THE GULF! No lifeguards are on duty due to dangerous surf conditions. If you get in the water, NO ONE IS COMING TO RESCUE YOU. Navarre Beach live web cam - www.navarrebeachlife.com/live-hd-1080-zoom-cam.
• Residents on Blackwater River, Coldwater Creek and Pond Creek need to make preparations and plans (that include pets) to move to higher ground quickly if needed.
• Do not park vehicles in a low-lying areas overnight.
• Zone A evacuations are recommended. Residents in mobile homes are also recommended to evacuate. Visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/knowyourzone for evacuation zone information.
• The Citizens Information Line is open, call 850-983-INFO (4636) for questions.
• Report damage via our Citizen Damage Report (https://bit.ly/2Rnogx8).
• The next update will be this evening.

Shelter

• Milton Community Center, 5629 Byrom St. in Milton (map), is open as a shelter. No pre-registration is required. Zone A and mobile home residents are encouraged to evacuate.
• Milton Community Center is also a pet-friendly shelter. Bring pet(s) in a carrier with proof of vaccinations and all pet food and supplies including water, leashes and/or litter boxes with litter.
• Bring COVID supplies for you and your family or they will be provided for you. Masks are required in shelters.
• Shelters are usually uncomfortable. Meals are not provided. It is recommended that other arrangements be made to stay at a hotel or with a friends or family in a well-constructed home out that is properly protected to withstand hurricane force winds.
• Anyone needing transportation assistance to a shelter should call (850) 983-4636. Transportation will only be provided if winds are below tropical storm force (so call early) and will only take you to a designated shelter.
• Bring the following items:
  • Personal identification
  • Water, non-perishable snacks and any special dietary needs.
  • A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes.
  • Toiletries and personal items.
  • Blankets, pillows and sleeping bags.
  • Games or toys for children; books for adults.
  • Special items for infants or elderly family members.
  • Battery operated radio, flashlights and plenty of spare batteries.
  • Prescriptions or any over-the-counter medications you normally need.

Road Closures

• See road closures: www.santarosa.fl.gov/293/Current-Road-Bridge-Closures.
• Report road issues (flooding, debris) at www.santarosa.fl.gov/FormCenter/Public-Works-7/Citizen-Work-Request-48.
• Expect that roads and bridges which typically flood will flood. Turn around, don’t drown. It is not possible to determine if a flooded roadway is covering a potentially deadly washout.
• Public works crews are monitoring for flooding and will barricade flooded roads and bridges as needed. Do not drive around or move any barricades.

Bridges

• Three Mile Bridge is closed.
• Emergency Management requested the state suspend tolls on Garcon Point Bridge.
• Bridges ONLY close when sustained tropical storm force winds are observed by FDOT or law enforcement officials. If one bridge closes, it does not mean all bridges will close.
• Bridges that typically flood include:
  Deaton Bridge/Deaton Bridge Road
  Wagner Bridge/East Fork Coldwater Creek/Spring Hill Road
  Red Rock Bridge/Juniper Creek/Red Rock Road
  Juniper Creek Bridge/Indian Ford Road
  West Fork Big Coldwater Creek Bridge/Walling Road
  Turkey Creek Bridge/Amos Cabaniss Road
• For state and federal road closures (I-10, 87, 89, 90, 98, Avalon Blvd.), see www.FL511.com.

Safety

• If you do not have to be on the road, stay off the road, especially at night. Motorists are strongly discouraged from driving along the beach given the wind, rain and road closure. Turn around, don’t drown.
• EMS and fire cannot respond to calls after sustained tropical storm force winds are present.
• Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock.
• Avoid wading in floodwater, which can be contaminated and contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
• Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery ONLY outdoors and away from windows. Always have a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector when using a generator.

County Offices

• Emergency Management is activated at a Level II for Hurricane Sally.
• All county offices including the libraries, supervisor of elections, clerk of court, tax collector and property appraiser are closed today and will remain closed Wed., Sept. 16.
• The FY21 Budget Meeting for Tues., Sept. 15 has been canceled and will be rescheduled.

County COVID Testing

• COVID testing at Tiger Point Community Center is closed today, Tues. Sept., 15.
• COVID testing at Milton Community Center will be closed Wed., Sept. 16.

General Preparedness Information

• Stay informed! Sign up for emergency alerts at www.AlertSantaRosa.com.
• Sandbags are available at area Lowe’s, Ace Hardware and Hall’s Hardware. Bring your own sandbags and shovel. Sand for sandbags is on a first-come, first-serve basis at the following locations:
  - The corner of Leisure St. and Citrus Dr. in Navarre
  - Tiger Point Park in Gulf Breeze
  - Pace Fire-Rescue in Pace
  - The corner of Pine Forest Rd. and Carroll Rd. in Milton
  - Crews will continue to monitor and replenish sand as weather permits.
• For current weather events, visit www.weather.gov/mob.
• For information on preparing for disasters, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency.

$87 Million Peanut Shelling Facility To Locate In Atmore With 100+ Jobs

Coastal Growers LLC plans to build a peanut shelling plant in Atmore, bringing 100 or more jobs to the area and turning the Escambia County city into a hub for peanut shelling in southwest Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey said Tuesday.

The company – owned by a cooperative of farmers, most of them residing in Alabama – will build an $87 million shelling and storage facility on more than 60 acres in the Atmore Industrial Park.

“The Coastal Growers facility in Atmore will become a vital resource for peanut farmers in Alabama and beyond by helping to make their operations more sustainable and profitable,” Governor Ivey said. “I look forward to seeing the impact that this project is going to have for our farmers and for the region.”

Paul Turner, an attorney representing the company, said the average wage in the plant will be more than $17 per hour for the 100-plus full-time workers. In addition, there will be temporary positions added during peak shelling times.

“We are excited to be able to announce this project today, to bring peanut shelling to south Alabama, and to bring economic benefit to the hard-working farmers of our state who so desperately need it,” Turner said.

“We also offer our sincere gratitude to Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Atmore Mayor Jim Staff and everyone else who made this project possible and brought us to Atmore, including the Alabama Farmers Federation and the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, both of which were vital in the project’s development,” he added.

Jess Nicholas of Centerfire Economic, who serves as executive director of the Escambia County Industrial Development Authority, said he expects the facility to ultimately employ 150 workers and attract other businesses to the area.

“Shelling operations tend to attract other businesses in this sector, and also spur development in infrastructure and other areas. We expect it to have a positive effect on the Port of Mobile as well,” Nicholas said.

“We worked hard to bring Coastal Growers here, and we’re very thankful to Coastal Growers for picking us, and for Governor Ivey for supporting our efforts. We’re on the map now as far as peanut production is concerned,” he added.

Glenn Spivey, president of Dothan’s Hollis & Spann Inc., will be heading up the construction efforts for the project. Spivey said the new facility, encompassing more than 400,000 square feet, will take about a year to build.

Coastal Growers’ Brad Smith and Joe Parker, two of the driving forces behind the project, said the Atmore location is the perfect site for the company.

“The peanuts we have in this area are among the highest quality available, yet we really had no infrastructure for shelling in this area,” said Parker, owner and general manager of Summerdale Peanut in Baldwin County.

“While we looked at other possibilities in other states, Atmore really did make the best sense for us in the end, and the state was strongly supportive of our efforts the entire time,” Smith said. “They did a fantastic job of making us feel welcome in Escambia County.”

Mark Kaiser, a Baldwin County farmer, said the new facility will allow farmers to capture more profit from their own crops, giving them more control over their own operations.

“This facility will be owned by the farmers that use it, and they’ll keep those profits themselves,” Kaiser said. “That’s good for both the farmers and for the immediate area, because the money will just keep turning over locally.”

Alex Jones, president of UB Community Development LLC, a community development affiliate of United Bank, led efforts to secure financing for the project, utilizing New Market Tax Credits, incentives and traditional financing. He said the impact across the region will be immense.

“We have farmers from one side of the state to the other who are involved in this, in Florida and Mississippi as well, and even up the state into the Sand Mountain area,” Jones said. “This is a complex process and not the typical economic development project in any way, but in the end, it’s going to mean a lot for our region, for Atmore, for Escambia County and our state.”

Atmore Mayor Jim Staff said the city welcomes Coastal Growers and is excited to be able to help the area’s farmers.

“It’s not just the jobs at the plant itself, even as much opportunity as that will bring to the city,” Staff said. “It’s what we’re able to do for our farmers and their families who have lived here and worked here for generations. They’ve spent their money in Atmore, and they’re an important part of our community.”

Pensacola Bay Bridge Closed Due To Wind, And It Was Struck By A Barge

The Pensacola Bay Bridge was closed Tuesday morning after it was struck by a barge and due to winds from Hurricane Sally.

The City of Gulf Breeze said a barge struck the bridge, and the Florida Department of Transportation will send an inspection team to access any damage.

FDOT noted the bridge was also closed due to sustained winds of 40 mph or greater.

The bridge is expected to remain close for the duration of Hurricane Sally.

Tolls have been waved on the Garcon Point bridge until further notice.

Pictured above: The Gulf Breeze end of the Pensacola Bay Bridge just before 10 a.m. Tuesday. Pictured below: The Pensacola end of the bridge.

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