Major Hurricane Ida Makes Landfall In Louisiana; Flooding, Winds, Tornadoes Possible Locally
August 29, 2021
UPDATE: Major Hurricane Ida made landfall Sunday as an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph and a minimum central pressure of 930 mb (27.46 inches). That is about 15 miles southwest of Grand Isle.
In North Escambia, there is a tornado watch, flash flood watch and a high wind advisory in effect.
- High threat for heavy rain leading to flash flooding that will persist through Tuesday
- Dangerous surf and a high risk of rip currents continues through early next week
- Tropical storm force winds, especially in gusts, are through Monday across southeast Mississippi and coastal Alabama
- Tornado threat will increase across far southeast Mississippi, coastal Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle. This threat will spread further inland and persist through Monday.
- Life-threatening storm surge of 3-5 feet is expected across coastal Alabama, including Mobile Bay
The latest details are in the graphics on the page.
Community Mourns Passing Of Retired Deputy
August 29, 2021
The community is mourning the passing of a former sheriff’s deputy and youth sports coach.
Retired Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Jamey Kahalley served the citizens of Santa Rosa County for 20 years before his retirement in 2019.
Kahalley, a lifelong resident of Molino, was a 1976 graduate of Tate High School. He coached for several years at Don Sutton Ballpark, for the Cantonment Cowboys and the Ensley Chiefs.
For the complete obituary click or tap here.
Bonus Photo Gallery: Northview, Flomaton Cheerleaders And Bands
August 29, 2021
Here is a bonus photo gallery with cheerleaders and bands from Friday night Northview at Flomaton game. Click here to view.
For a game action summary and photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Woman Struck And Killed By Car Driven By Atmore Man
August 29, 2021
A pedestrian died Saturday night in Escambia County after she was struck by a vehicle driven by an Atmore man.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a Chrysler sedan was traveling northbound on South Fairfield Drive approaching Jackson Street when it struck a pedestrian walking along the white line on the edge of the roadway.
The 59-year old female pedestrian from Pensacola was pronounced deceased at the scene of the 8:14 p.m. crash. The driver of the Chrysler, a 30-year old man from Atmore, was not injured.
The FHP no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
Tornado Watch, Wind Advisory, Flash Flood Warning In Effect Locally Due To Hurricane Ida
August 29, 2021
A tornado watch, wind advisory, and flash flood warning are in effect.
For the latest tropical details on Hurricane Ida, click or tap here.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 73. Southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Monday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 82. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Monday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 73. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 84. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Need Free Sand For Hurricane Ida Prep? Here’s Where To Find It
August 29, 2021
Escambia County is offering free sand for residents living in flood-prone areas in advance of possible heavy tropical rain due to Hurricane Ida. The sand is available on a first come, first served basis at the following locations:
- John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park – 555 E. Nine Mile Road
- Don Sutton Park – 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
- Travis M. Nelson Park - 4541 Highway 4, Bratt
- Equestrian Center – 7750 Mobile Highway
- Escambia County Road Department – 601 Highway 297A
- Brent Athletic Park – 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
- Ferry Pass Middle School -available on northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street
- Baars Field Athletic Park – 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels. Sandbags are usually available for purchase at home improvement and hardware stores.
Pictured: Sand at Travis M. Nelson Park in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
This Week’s Road Construction Advisories
August 29, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 30 through Saturday, Sept. 4. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews replace the southbound portion of the structure. In addition, drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Aug. 29 through Friday, Sep. 3 as crews perform striping operations and signal work.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures between North Pace Boulevard and approximately H Street as crews perform median improvement work. Drivers are reminded the speed between Dominguez Street and A Street is 30 mph.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – Drivers will encounter intermittent east and westbound traffic shifts between Pine Forest Road and U.S. 29 to allow crews to pave driveway tie-ins and place the final layer of asphalt.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) – Drivers will encounter alternating and intermittent east and westbound lane closures and traffic shifts between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations and other construction activities.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)–
Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, Aug. 30 as crews place a watermain.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass.
- I-10 Routine Maintenance Between Mile-Marker 5 (US 90A) to 19 (East of U.S. 90/Scenic Highway) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. Sunday Aug. 29 to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 30 as crews repair lighting.
- Interstate 110 Routine Maintenance– North and southbound motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. Sunday Aug. 29 to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 30 as crews repair lighting.
- S.R. 85 Routine Utility Maintenance at S.R. 20 Intersection – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept 2 to 5 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3 as crews perform routine utility maintenance.
- U.S. 98 (East Garde Street) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at Jefferson Street Intersection – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures the week of Monday, Aug. 30 as crews perform underground utility maintenance.
- S.R. 296 (Bayou Boulevard) Routine Utility Maintenance near Buffalo Wild Wings – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 30 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31 as crews relocate a utility pole.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 30 through Saturday, Sept. 4. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Crews continue utility relocations, clearing, excavation, drainage improvements, and pond construction. There are anticipated traffic impacts.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures on the Blackwater River bridge 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 29 through Thursday, Sept. 3 as crews perform paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Still Mail Letters? Stamp Prices Increased Today
August 29, 2021
If you mail a letter or that birthday card to grandma, it will cost you more beginning today..
The U.S. Postal Service has raised the price of a first-class stamp from 55 cents to 58 cents — that’s 60 cents more for a book of 20 stamps. Domestic postcards increased from 36 cents to 40 cents.
If you are holding on to “Forever Stamps” — they are still good at the new rate regardless of the price you paid.
First-class single-piece flat mail went from $1 to $1.16. Certified mail increased from $3.60 to $3.75 and registered went from $12.90 to $13.75.
This is the second time the Post Office has raised the cost of mail this year; the first rate increase took effect back on January 24.
Pictured: The Cantonment Post Office. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
It’s Only Marijuana: ECSO Reacts To Naysayers After Big Marijuana Trafficking Arrest
August 28, 2021
After the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office made their largest marijuana grow and distribution operation bust ever, they are now reacting to social media naysayers.
As part of the operation (read more), local and federal investigators seized:
- 2,156 pounds of the “highest grade” marijuana
- 24 pounds of spice
- 18 pounds of THC
- 32 firearms
- 12 vehicles (two of which were stolen)
- $820,000 in cash
- $150,000 worth of gold bars
- $750,000 worth of jewelry
- a tractor
- a ski boat
On the ECSO Facebook, as well as the social media sites of NorthEscambia.com and other local media, many commenters had a generally negative opinion. Many accused the ECSO of wasting time and resources over a marijuana arrest.
The ECSO released the following statement in reaction Friday afternoon:
“The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has investigated and continues to investigate violent crimes associated directly with marijuana trafficking.
“So, if someone tells you that “it’s only marijuana”, let them know that trafficking in marijuana is no different than trafficking in any other drugs with regards to the potential for violent crime. Trafficking means money, and money associated with illegal trafficking inevitably leads to violence. We are not talking about personal or prescription usage, we are talking about the large amounts of money passing hands and the violence associated with it. Marijuana at these levels is illegal everywhere.
“If you excuse the trafficking in marijuana, please think about recent victims who are fathers, sons, uncles and neighbors, all of whom, were shot and killed because of the trafficking of marijuana right here in Escambia County.”
Employee Accidently Shot At Atmore Manufacturing Company
August 28, 2021
An employee at an industry in Atmore was accidently shot in the leg, according to police.
The Atmore Police Department responded to Brown Precision at 410 Innovation Parkway, near Poarch Road at I-65.
“On arrival, APD officers were told the employee accidentally discharged the gun while at a work station causing the injury,” Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks said Friday.
“APD officers learned the firearm was brought into the building by the injured employee’s brother, who also works for the company. The brother told officers he forgot to remove the weapon before entering the building so it was placed at his work station. At some point, the gun owners brother retrieved the weapon and attempted to disassemble it and the gun went off causing the injury,” Brooks continued.
The employee was airlifted to a Mobile hospital. An update on his condition was not available.