Today Is The 5th Anniversary Of EF-3 Tornado That Ravaged Century
February 15, 2021
Monday marks the fifth anniversary of an EF-3 tornado that ripped through Century.
The tornado first touched down southwest of Lambert Bridge Road southwest of McDavid at 3:32 p.m. on February 15, 2016. The first EF-2 intensity damage was on Holland Road where a workshop was destroyed. As it moved into Century, the tornado reached peak intensity with widespread EF-2 damage with isolated EF-3 level damage that destroyed numerous homes and businesses, according to the National Weather Service.
The tornado continued to track across the state line into Alabama with EF-2 damage on Old Fannie Road east of Flomaton. The tornado continued toward Pollard, AL, where it weakened and lifted at 3:55 p.m.
The EF-3 tornado was on the ground 16.5 miles with a path up to 300 yards wide.
The photos on this page and in the first gallery below were taken just by NorthEscambia.com just minutes after the tornado touchdown in Century. In the top photo seen around the world, neighbors and first responders came together to rescue a woman that as trapped in her overturned mobile home.
For a photo gallery from February 15, 2015, click here.
For a photo gallery featuring the Century UMC, click here.
For an additional damage photo gallery, click here.
For a photo gallery from Gov. Rick Scott’s visit to Century, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Explosion And Fire Destroys Five ECUA Trucks At Natural Gas Fueling Station, Damages Others
February 15, 2021
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority says the fire and explosion Sunday afternoon at compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station on Pine Forest Road destroyed at least five sanitation trucks.
Spokesperson Nathalie Bowers told NorthEscambia.com that damage to another 2-3 trucks is being evaluated, and about a half dozen have other damage such as broken windshields.
There are about 50 CNG powered sanitation and recycling trucks in the ECUA fleet.
Bowers said there will be no impacts to ECUA collections on Monday on Pensacola Beach, and likely no serious impacts to Tuesday collections in the North Escambia area or service for the rest of the week.
The CNG fueling station is operated by Pensacola Energy.
There were no injuries.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Charged In Fatal Stabbing
February 15, 2021
An Escambia County man is charged with a fatal stabbing Saturday night in Escambia County.
Corey Ruben Bates, 32, is charged with homicide.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said he is accused of stabbing a 50-year old man about 10 p.m. on Esperanto Drive in Bellview. The man was transported to an area hospital were he passed away from his injuries.
Bates was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Firefighters Battle Brush Fire South Of Century
February 15, 2021
Escambia Fire Rescue battled a brush fire Sunday evening south of Century.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the area of Highway 29 and Dawson Road about 5:30 p.m. The fire was reported to be about 2.5 acres.
There were no injuries and no property damage reported.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Gas Prices Slip A Couple Of Cents, Still Up A Quarter Since January 1
February 15, 2021
Florida gas prices took a little step back last week. The average price for a gallon of gasoline declined two cents, but is still up about a quarter since January 1.
The year began with gas prices averaging $2.20 per gallon. Now, Florida drivers are paying an average price of $2.46. That raises the cost of filling a tank of gas by $4 (based on a 15-gallon fuel tank).
The lowest North Escambia price Sunday night was $2.38 at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while in Pensacola $2.24 could be found at a store on Barrancas Avenue.
“Unfortunately, the recent jump at the pump may not be over yet,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA — The Auto Club Group. “Pump prices could eventually reach $2.60 per gallon in the coming weeks, as refineries prepare to switch to summer blend gasoline. Summer gasoline typically costs more to produce, because it contains more additives, which work to reduce smog during the hotter months.”
Explosion, Fire At Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Station On Pine Forest Road
February 15, 2021
An explosion felt for miles and vehicle fires were reported Sunday afternoon at a compressed natural gas fueling station on Pine Forest Road.
The incident happened about 2:35 p.m. at the Pensacola Energy Natural Gas Fueling (CNG) Station at 6722 Pine Forest Road, across from the Walmart Neighborhood Market at Pine Forest Road and Mobile Highway.
RELATED: Explosion, Fire Destroys Five ECUA Trucks At Natural Gas Fueling Station, Damages Others
Five ECUA sanitation trucks were destroyed by fire at the fueling station. The natural gas supply was quickly cut off to the fueling station as first responders arrived.
There were no injuries reported.
Bystanders and others were evacuated from the immediate area, and the traffic in the area was shut down. Pine Forest Road was reopened to traffic by 4 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com received reports of people that felt or heard the explosion from as far away as Cantonment and Pace.
The CNG fueling station is operated by Pensacola Energy.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Top photo from security video at Gary Sapp Automotive.
No New Deaths, Another 62 COVID-19 Cases Reported In Escambia County
February 15, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were no new COVID-19 deaths and 62 additional cases in Escambia County reported Sunday by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 32,743 (+62)
Non-Florida residents: 3,390
Recovered: 30,856*
Total deaths: 593
Long-term care facility deaths: 257
Current hospitalizations: 125 (+1)
Number of tests reported last day: 626
Percent positive reported last day: 8.2%
Percent positive reported last week: 8.9%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 24,382 (+52)
Cantonment: 2,960 (+3)
Century: 1,134 (+1)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 448 (+1)
McDavid: 193
Bellview: 56
Walnut Hill: 49
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 12
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 16,497 (+55)
Non-Florida residents: 210
Total deaths: 243 (+2)
Long-term care facility deaths: 74
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 752*
Number of tests reported last day: 391
Percent positive reported last day: 13.5%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 7,992(+19)
Navarre: 3,330 (+21)
Gulf Breeze: 3,096 (+22)
Pace: 1,304 (+3)
Jay: 506 (+2)
Bagdad: 31
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,827,373
Florida residents: 1,794,155
Deaths: 28,779
Hospitalizations: 76,109*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
FHP: Woman Killed When Hit By Driver Trying To Fix Child’s Seat Belt
February 15, 2021
A wreck Saturday in Santa Rosa County claimed one life.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 32-year old Milton man was traveling west on Sterling Way when he attempted to refasten the safety belt on his 6-year old child passenger. As a result, he crossed the centerline and collided with a vehicle driven by a 61-year old Pace woman.
The 61-year old woman was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where she passed away from her injuries.
The man and child in the first vehicle were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition.
The FHP no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
Robert Ernest Ford
February 15, 2021
Robert Ernest Ford was born August 3, 1954, to Howard Ford and Deloris Roberts in Joplin, Missouri. He passed February 8, 2021, in Cantonment, Florida.
He was a retired Senior Chief in the United States Navy and served for more than 22 years.
Robert is survived by his wife, Brenda ford; children, James (Tiffany) Ford, Timothy Ford, and Teresa Ford; and nine grandchildren.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North has been entrusted with arrangements.
Carlton Phillip Cook
February 15, 2021
Carlton Phillip Cook passed away on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at the age of 78 after a short illness. Carlton was born in Jay, Florida on January 23, 1943. He married the love of his life, Marion Cook, on January 30, 1965. He was a lineman at Bellsouth and retired after 28 years. Throughout his life he showed great strength by working hard, building his own home, and taking care of his family. Carlton loved the outdoors. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and hunting with his family. He loved his two dogs, Scooter and Buster. Carlton will surely be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marion Cook; his mother, Doris Boutwell; one sister, Mary (Wayne) Hays; three children, Cynthia Avirett, Daniel Cook, and Christine Haynes; eight grandchildren, Matt and Brian Avirett, Amanda Canfield, Tyler Oquain, Justin and Darren Barlow, Ashlyn and Julianna Tidwell; five great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Carlton is preceded in death by one great-grandchild, Mason.
Visitation will be Wednesday, February 17, 2021 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 pm with Pastor Mike Mashburn officiating. Pallbearers are Matt and Brian Avirett, Tyler Oquain, Justin and Darren Barlow, and James Avirett.