Gulf Winds Credit Union Closing
November 9, 2009
Due to incoming Tropical Storm Ida, Gulf Winds will close all branch locations (including Atmore) and their Contact Center at 3 p.m. today.
Gulf Winds is preparing to be closed on Tuesday; however, if Tropical Storm Ida dissipates, their branches and Contact Center may be open for business. The credit union’s website GoGulfWinds.com will post up-to-date closure information.
Gulf Winds accounts can be accessed while the bank is closed by using Online Banking, PAT 24-hour phone banking, or one of more than 40 free local ATMs.
All Gulf Winds branches will be closed Wednesday for the Veterans Day holiday.
PJC, UWF Shutting Down
November 9, 2009
The University of West Florida and Pensacola Junior College will close at 1:00 this afternoon and remained closed through Tuesday as Tropical Storm Ida makes landfall.
Both UWF and PJC will reopen on Thursday; they are both closed Wednesday due to the Veterans Day holiday.
Only designated necessary personnel are to report to work at either school.
Student residents at UWF are encouraged to shelter in place or discuss home sheltering options with their family, since UWF will observe the Veteran?s Day holiday. Should the student shelter be activated, incoming calls for information on students can be made to 1-866-UWF-NEWS. This number will only be activated if students are required to evacuate to the student university shelter. This time frame is subject to change as UWF continues to monitor the storm.
The Center for Child Development at UWF will also close at 1 p.m. Parents should make arrangements to pick up their child(ren) by closing.
Weather Expert, Former Hurricane Hunter Forecaster: What North Escambia Can Expect
November 9, 2009
Flooding and power outages will be the primary threats from Tropical Storm Ida in North Escambia, according to Dr. Jeff Masters, Ph.D., founder of wunderground.com and former flight meteorologist with the NOAA Hurricane Hunters.
“Power outages, downed trees and flooding will be your primary threat,” Dr. Masters told NorthEcambia.com, “probably not any households destroyed or anything like that.”
Dr. Masters said that North Escambia will likely see sustained winds from Ida in the 30-40 mph range, and gusts from 50 to 60 mph. The storm will likely dump 3-5 inches of rain on our inland communities, he said.
“This is not going to be like your area had from Ivan,” he said. The remnants the northeaster quadrant of Ivan’s eyewall skirted North Escambia, bringing widespread damage.
The threat of inland tornadoes is very low for North Escambia, he said. “The air is just not unstable enough for tornadoes.”
“Ida is beginning to transition to an extratropical storm, and it is often the case that during such a transition the winds will gain energy from the process, though that’s looking unlikely in this case,” Dr. Masters said. “I expect Ida’s top winds will be in the 50 – 60 mph range along the coast tonight and Tuesday morning.”
He said that the worst weather may arrive before landfall.
“Ida’s most intense thunderstorms are on the north side of the storm, and the heaviest rains and highest winds will hit the coast tonight, well in advance of the arrival of the center,” Masters said.
Dr. Jeff Masters holds a B.S. and M.S. degrees in meteorology, and a Ph.D. degree in air pollution meteorology. He served as the flight meteorologist with the NOAA Hurricane Hunters from 1986-1990. While with the Hurricane Hunters, Dr. Masters flew into storms that included Hurricane Gilbert and Hurricane Hugo. He founded The Weather Underground in 1995. To visit The Weather Underground, click here.
Escambia Suspends Pre-Register Requirements For Special Needs Shelter
November 9, 2009
The Escambia County Health Department has suspending the requirement to pre-register for the Special Needs Shelter. Individuals will be assessed as they arrive at the shelter to determine if they can be served by the special needs shelter. Those planning to evacuate to the special needs shelter are reminded of the following requirements:
Who qualifies?
Residents must be able to live on-their-own but rely on nursing assistance for some medical help or electrical power for their medical equipment.
What to bring
- A caregiver is required; your caregiver helps you with meals and using the bathroom.
- Medications, medical equipment, and food for special diets
- Bedding (sheet, blanket and pillow). The shelter provides a military-style cot without bedding.
- If possible, a fully charged cell phone. The shelter does not have a public phone.
Location, Directions
- West Florida High School, Building 25 and 26
- 2400 Longleaf Drive, Pensacola, 32526
Type of Care
- Health Department nurses monitor vital signs, administer medication when necessary, and respond to signs of distress.
- Meals are provided.
Other shelters
Residents who do not qualify for the Special Needs Shelter, may be able to stay at a general shelter. General shelters do not have medical staff but they can help the elderly who:
- Use a walker, wheelchair, or cane
- Take their medications without help from a nurse
- Don’t need electrical power for their medical equipment
Red Cross Needs Volunteers
November 9, 2009
The local chapter of the American Red Cross is looking for volunteers to support relief operations before, during and after Tropical Storm Ida.
To volunteer, visit www.yourredcross.org and click on the volunteer page for an application.
“We run shelters so that everyone has a safe place to stay” said Ken Cromer, senior director for disaster services.
More Info: Escambia (Fla.) Schools Closed Monday & Tuesday; Some Workers To Report Monday
November 9, 2009
All public schools in Escambia County (Fla.) are closed both Monday and Tuesday, but some employees are being asked to report to work Monday. In addition, all extra-curricular activities scheduled for Monday and Tuesday have been canceled.
The school closure includes Byrneville Elementary Charter School.
From the Escambia County School District:
The Escambia County School District will be closed Monday, November 9, 2009 and Tuesday, November 10, 2009.
The Escambia Emergency Operations Center has informed Superintendent Malcolm Thomas of the need to open storm shelters on Monday morning. With this decision, and with the need to allow parents and employees to prepare, Superintendent Thomas made the decision to close schools.
All administrative, professional and maintenance personnel (with the exception of custodial employees and food service employees) are asked to report to work on Monday, November 9 to assist with hurricane preparedness and other duties as assigned.
All employees and students are asked to remain home on Tuesday. Wednesday is the Veteran’s Day holiday for all employees and students.
All extra-curricular activities scheduled for Monday and Tuesday have been canceled.
Molino Park Opened As Escambia’s First Pet Friendly Shelter
November 9, 2009
Molino Elementary School became the first storm shelter in Escambia County to accept pets during Ida. It housed 32 people and a small number of pets.
Officials said now is good time to pre-register for the shelter before the next storm hits be registration for pets is required. Registration forms plus a full list of all requirements and pet owner responsibilities can be downloaded from www.bereadyescambia.com, or picked up at the Escambia County Animal Shelter, 200 West Fairfield Drive in Pensacola.
Space is limited to between 150 and 350 animals, depending on breed and kennel sizes. Only dogs and cats will be accepted – no pets of any other species are allowed – however there is no limit of cats or dogs per person, nor limitations on breeds. Pet owners will be required to stay at a facility adjacent to the pet shelter and may not leave their pet at the shelter for any length of time.
Identification tags, proof of vaccinations, food, water, any medications plus bedding and kennels must be provided by the pet owner for each animal. Owners will also have to care for each of their animals including feeding, exercising, potty breaks and all clean up.
Emergency Management’s disaster preparedness web site, www.bereadyescambia.com, provides vital information for pet owners evacuating or sheltering-in-place during storms and lists more than 1,500 rooms available in comfortable, pet-friendly local motels. While pet owners are advised to find alternative accommodations in the event of a hurricane, the pet-friendly shelter will be opened for residents as a refuge of last resort.
One Year Later: Hurricane 113 Evacuation Route Stands Ready
November 9, 2009
This week marks one year since the four-lane Highway 113 route from Flomaton to I-65 opened, providing a vital capacity increase for the major hurricane evacuation route.
The $22.7 million project, which included funds from the state of Alabama, Flomaton and both Escambia County, Alabama, and Escambia County, Florida, provides 13.5 miles of four-lane divided highway from Highway 29/31 in Flomaton to Exit 69 on I-65.
“We found out after Ivan what it was like to have a four lane coming out of the coast of Florida and coming into Flomaton into a two lane,” Alabama Gov. Bob Riley said at the highway’s ribbon cutting last year. “We backed up traffic for miles. And that’s when we really did realize we’ve got to do something to get people on up to 65. One of these days, we are going look back and we are going to say that building this road saved hundreds if not thousands of lives because we were able to evacuate people from the Gulf Coast where otherwise it might not ever have happened.”
The 14 mile widening project broke ground on September 11, 2007. Escambia County, Florida, contributed $4 million to the project. Flomaton and Escambia County, Alabama, each contributed $500,000 with the state of Alabama and the federal government picking up of the rest of the nearly $22.7 million tab.
The highway also includes a new four-span, 204 foot bridge to accommodate northbound traffic.
The November 12, 2008, ribbon cutting was actually over 40 years in the making. Florida and Alabama agreed back in 1967 to four-lane roads on both side of the state line for an evacuation route. Florida finished their part along Highway 29 by 1990, but Alabama did nothing more after acquiring right-of-way back in the 1970’s.
Pictured above: Dignitaries including Alabama Governor Bob Riley cut the ribbon on the newly widened Highway 113 in Flomaton on November 12, 2008. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Hurricane Tips: Before A Storm
November 9, 2009
Every year, prior to hurricane season, your family should review your hurricane plan and make changes as necessary. It should include whether or not you plan to evacuate, where you will go if you evacuate, the route you will take to leave the area, when you will leave and what supplies you will take.
If you plan to stay, make sure you have all of the supplies necessary to be on your own for at least 72 hours. If you are planning to go to an evacuation shelter, have your shelter supplies kit packed and ready. Make sure you have all the materials on hand to protect your home. You should also trim dead wood from trees. Don’t forget to make arrangements for pets. Print and save this page for future reference. You may not have power if a storm is approaching.
If the storm is threatening the area, listen to local media for information and actions to be taken. In addition you should:
- Fuel your car. You will need it to evacuate and pumps won’t work without electricity.
- Bring outdoor objects inside such as lawn furniture, toys and garden tools.
- Install your storm shutters or cover windows with plywood and secure all doors. If you don’t cover your windows, remove your screens so they won’t blow away and you can reinstall them after the storm to keep mosquitos at bay.
- Prepare boats as appropriate.
- Turn refrigerators and freezers to the highest settings. Freeze plastic bottles of water (leave room for expansion).
- Turn off small appliances that are not needed.
- Turn off LP tanks.
- Call an out-of-town friend or relative to let them know of your plans. Then instruct other family members to call that person for information about your family after the storm.
- Fill sinks and bathtubs with water. Check them for slow leaks.
- Get an extra supply of cash. Banks and ATMs may not be operational immediately after the storm.
No Line, No Waiting
November 8, 2009
The long lines to buy gas often seen prior to a hurricane were nonexistent in Atmore late Sunday night. At the Winn Dixie grocery store in Atmore and the Piggly Wiggly in Davisville, it was also business as usual. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.