Gulf Power, EREC Ready To Respond
November 10, 2009
Gulf Power Company and Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC) officials say that they are ready to respond to any damage left behind by Tropical Storm Ida.
“EREC is ready to respond should Tropical Storm Ida cause damage to the EREC power system. Members are encouraged to stay abreast of storm developments and take necessary safety precautions,” said Sabrina Owens, EREC spokesperson. EREC is a Touchstone Energy cooperative that distributes electricity to approximately 10,000 members in northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida.
“This storm will impact our customers from Panama City to Pensacola and we will work as fast as possible, but we do expect it to take a day or two to restore service to everyone,” Gulf Power spokesperson Sandy Sims said. “We ask everyone to be patient. Fortunately our crews have a lot of hurricane experience and are recognized as some of the best storm crews in the nation. We are called on almost every year to help other utilities across the Southeast. We know we can count on their help now if we need it.”
Gulf Power will conduct a damage assessment immediately after the storm and then deploy crews and materials to restore power as quickly as possible. The utility works with county Emergency Management Centers to determine priority restoration to hospitals, police and fire stations, water and sewer lift stations and other critical services.
“We know it’s been a few years since we’ve had a direct hit in Northwest Florida so we encourage everyone to take this storm seriously, prepare for the worst and have patience after the storm,” Sims said.
To report a power outage on the EREC system, call 1-877-688-3732.
To report a power outage on the Gulf Power system, call 1-800-487-6937.
Post Office: Storm May Delay Mail Delivery
November 10, 2009
Some areas hard hit by Ida may see short-term delays in mail delivery on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Postal Service.
Mail may arrive later in the day than normal or, in heavily impacted areas, mail delivery may be delayed until after Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11.
Closed evacuation areas, flooded roads, and fallen trees may put some homes and businesses temporarily out of reach. Postal officials, however, stress that everything possible will be done to keep disruptions to an absolute minimum.
Postal officials also note that some 24-hour Post Office Box Service lobbies will be locked tonight and early Tuesday to minimize flooding by heavy wind and rain. Also, some blue mail collection boxes will be sealed tonight and early tomorrow to prevent mail from being deposited and possibly damaged by the storm.
Wednesday, November 11 is Veterans Day. Post Offices will be closed and there will be no regular mail delivery. Retail and delivery services will resume Thursday, November 12.
Florida: Food Stamp Benefits Available Early Due To Ida
November 10, 2009
In preparation for the potential effects of Tropical Storm Ida, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) made November food stamp benefits available to current recipients earlier than normal. The measure was intended to ensure that storm-impacted residents have an adequate food supply during the post-storm period.
The advance distribution applies to participants of the regular food stamp program in the following counties: Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, Holmes, Jackson, Washington, Calhoun, Bay, Gulf, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Wakulla, Liberty and Franklin.
Benefits are normally available on a staggered schedule from the first to the 15th of each month. The change will allow about 30,000 households to use their benefits earlier than normal. These families should be able to access their benefits using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card Tuesday morning.
No ECAT Bus Service Today
November 10, 2009
Due to Tropical Storm Ida, there will not be Escambia County Area Transit service today.
For more information contact ECAT at 595-3228.
Salvation Army Ready
November 10, 2009
The Salvation Army throughout the Panhandle made preparations to respond in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ida.
Four Salvation Army mobile feeding units are standing by from Pensacola to Tallahassee to respond. These units can feed up to 3,000 meals if necessary and will be able to move quickly into areas affected by the storm. In addition, Salvation Army response teams throughout the state are also ready to respond if needed.
The Salvation Army’s State Director of Emergency Disaster Services, Kevin Smith says “We are ready to assist those affected by this storm no matter what the magnitude or impact it might have on the residents of the Panhandle. Even though the storm has been downgraded at this time, no one can ever predict what kind of an affect this type of storm will have on an area until it makes landfall”.
The Salvation Army is committed to partnering with all levels of government in order to be more efficient in its disaster response, providing collaborative response with all agencies assisting in response effort.
Storm Shelter Information
November 10, 2009
Three shelters are open in Escambia County (Fla.). They are:
- Pensacola High School Gymnasium 500 West Maxwell Street, Pensacola 32501
- Molino Park Elementary – Buildings 1-5, 899 Highway 97, Molino 32577
- Molino Park also serves as a pet shelter (Evacuees are welcome without pets as well.)
- West Florida Technical (Special Needs Only) – Buildings 25 and 26, 2400 Longleaf Drive, Pensacola 32526
For more information about the Molino Park Elementary Shelter, which does accept pets, click here.
In addition, a sexual predator shelter is open at the Escambia County Work Release Center at 601 Highway 297A, Cantonment.
About Hurricane Shelters
Hurricane evacuation shelters are provided for public use in the event a hurricane evacuation becomes necessary and if you have no other place to go. It is recommended that other arrangements be made with a friend or relative that lives in a well constructed home, out of the evacuation area, and properly protected to withstand hurricane force winds. You will probably be more comfortable, certainly in a less crowded environment and among friends. Remember, alcohol, weapons and pets are NOT permitted in public shelters.
Many churches will provide shelter for members and business owners should consider sheltering employees and families if possible.
Buildings used for evacuation shelters are normally public schools that are staffed by Red Cross volunteers and U.S. Navy personnel. Shelters are always crowded, usually uncomfortable when the power goes off because there is no ventilation, long lines form for restroom use and for food, and they are very noisy – making it difficult to rest or sleep. Keep in mind you may have to stay in the shelter for several days.
Things to Take to a Public Shelter
If you go to a public shelter, you will need to take the following items:
- Change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes
- Toiletries and personal items
- Blankets or sleeping bags and pillows
- Identification and any important papers
- Games, toys or books for children
- Books for adults
- Special items for infants or elderly family members
- Any special dietary needs and non-perishable foods for snacks
- Battery operated radio, flashlights and plenty of spare batteries
After The Storm: The Phone Numbers You Need
November 10, 2009
Here are phone numbers that you may need after Tropical Storm Ida:
- Emergencies: 911
- Gulf Power Company: 505-5711 or (800) 487-6937
- Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC):877-688-3732
- Frontier Communications: 611 or (850) 587-5119 or (800) 476-4001
- AT&T telephone: 877-737-2478
- Bright House Cable: (866) 876-1872
- Town of Century: (850) 256-3208
- Energy Services of Pensacola (ESP): 474-5300
- DirecTV: (800) 494-4388
- Dish Network: (888) 284-7116
- Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff: 436-9630
- Santa Rosa County Sheriff: 850-893-1193
- Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff: 251-867-0304
- American Red Cross: 432-7601 or 800-773-762
- Salvation Army: 432-15010
- Florida Department of Insurance: 800-22-STORM
- Florida Department of Agriculture: 800-435-7352
- Attorney General (Consumer Fraud): 850-414-3600
- Crisis Counseling & Referral: 888-532-4006
Citizens’ Information Lines Open
November 10, 2009
Three citizens information lines are open in Escambia County if you need more information on Tropical Storm Ida:
- Escambia County Citizens Info Line: 471-6600
- Escambia Sheriff’s Office Info Line: 436-9630
- Escambia Schools Info Line: 469-5306
- Santa Rosa County Citizens Info Line: 983-4636
Weather Setting Off Alarms, Otherwise A Normal Night For FHP, ECSO, Fire
November 9, 2009
Monday was an ordinary night for emergency workers across Escambia County.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has responded to multiple business and residential alarms tonight, mostly the result of power failures and the weather.
Escambia County Fire Rescue has responded to several business and residential fire alarms caused by the weather and power failures. Firefighters in North Escambia had no responded to any calls as of 11:30 p.m.
Otherwise, it had been an ordinary night for the sheriff’s office as of 11:30 p.m. with ordinary traffic stops and a few family disturbances. In North Escambia. deputies have mostly been on patrol, conducting ordinary checks on communities across the area.
As of 11:30, the Florida Highway Patrol was working just one traffic accident in the Escambia and Santa Rosa county areas. The accident was at East 9 Mile Road and Holsberry Road. There were no injuries reported in that wreck.
Live Ida Updates All Night
November 9, 2009
NorthEscambia.com will be here will live Tropical Storm Ida updates all night.
Keep checking back for the latest information on the storm, as well as any storm damage reports.