Molino Tornado Caught On Camera
June 19, 2021
A local storm spotter caught an apparent tornado on camera this morning near Molino.
A tornado warning was in effect with radar confirming a strong rotation as the storm moved from Barrineau Park and across Highway 29 north of Highway 97 about 8:30 a.m.
Asa Schlobohm captured the images, and below has highlighted the rain-wrapped tornado since it is difficult to see.
There were no injuries or damage reported.
Photos by Asa Schlobohm for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
I-10 Bridge Reopened Across Escambia Bay
June 19, 2021
The Florida Highway Patrol has reopened the I-10 bridge in both directions across Escambia Bay as of 12:05 p.m.
The bridge was closed earlier due to high winds from Tropical Storm Claudette.
Pictured: The I-10 bridge over Escambia Bay at 12:05 p.m. Saturday. NorthEscambia.com image.
Windy, A Few Showers Possible Tonight
June 19, 2021
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 81. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Over 22,000 Lost Power Due To Tropical Storm Claudette; Majority Restored By Early Afternoon
June 19, 2021
Over 22,000 lost power in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties due to Tropical Storm Claudette.
Gulf Power Company reported that they had restored over 17,000 customers by about 1 p.m. Saturday. There were about 1,150 Gulf customers without power in Escambia County and about 330 in Santa Rosa County at 2 p.m.
At one point, Escambia River Electric Cooperative reported about 5,000 of their 11,596 customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties without power due to the tropical storm. By about noon, that number had been reduced to 650. By 2 p.m. Saturday, EREC reported service had been restored to customers in Escambia County, while just under 300 remained without power in Santa Rosa County.
Pictured: Escambia River Electric Cooperative crews (above) and Gulf Power crews (pictured below) worked throughout Tropical Storm Claudette to restore power as fast as possible. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tropical Storm Claudette: See The Very Latest Info
June 19, 2021
The latest tropical update information is in the graphics on this page, click to enlarge.
Escambia County is currently under a tropical storm warning, tornado watch, and flash flood watch. Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches, with locally higher amounts in excess of 10 inches, will possible across the area.
Skanska Says They Moved, Secured Barges Away From Pensacola Bay Bridge
June 19, 2021
Skanska says they secured their barges away from the Pensacola Bay Bridge in preparation for this weekend’s tropical weather.
Skanska released the following statement on Friday, ahead of the storm:
“As the Gulf Coast prepares for inclement weather, we are closely monitoring the path of the storm in conjunction with our partners with the goal of ensuring the safety of the community and our workers. Skanska is in the process of making necessary storm preparations, including securing barges and cranes.
During Hurricane Sally, multiple barges struck and destroyed portions of the newly constructed Pensacola Bay Bridge and came to rest on shore around Pensacola Bay.
Pictured: This image shows the same area along the Pensacola Bay bridge about 12:30 p.m. Friday and 3:30 p.m. Friday after the barge was moved away from the bridge. Images for NorthEscambia.com, click toe enlarge.
Flood Warnings For Escambia And Perdido Rivers
June 19, 2021
Flood warnings have been issued for the Escambia and Perdido rivers in North Escambia. These forecasts are subject to change dependent upon how much rain is received upriver.
A flood warning is in effect for the Escambia River near Century from Sunday evening until further notice. Friday night, the stage was 5.6 feet, and the river is forecast to rise above flood stage (17 feet) late Sunday evening and continue to a crest of 19.1 feet Monday evening. At 19 feet, low lying pastures will flood and there is considerable flooding of lowlands.
A flood warning is in effect for the Perdido River near Barrineau Park beginning Sunday morning. Friday afternoon, the stage was 2.0 feet. The river is expected to rise above flood stage Sunday morning to a crest of 13.7 feet Sunday afternoon before falling below flood stage on Monday. At 13 feet, the river begins to leave its banks at the parking lot of Adventures Perdido River and threaten several permanently parked travel trailers.
Escambia Reports 61 New COVID-19 Cases In Last Week
June 19, 2021
There were 61 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health.
FDOH has moved from daily to weekly reports and removed the COVID-19 dashboard. The state is now releasing a weekly report with local data limited only to number of cases and positivity rate; the number of deaths by county or cases by local cities and communities has been removed.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 33,084 (+61)
Positivity Rate Last Week: 2.7%
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,482 (+41)
Positivity Rate Last Week: 7.0%
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 2,310,881 (+10,629)
Case positivity rate: 3.2%
Deaths: 37,555 (+43)
Gulf Power: We Are Ready For Any Power Outages
June 19, 2021
Gulf Power says they are ready to respond in the event of any outages from this weekend’s tropical weather.
“As this tropical system heads toward the Gulf Power service area, we are making preparations to ensure we are ready to respond quickly to restore power to any of our customers affected by the storm,” said Mike Spoor, vice president of Gulf Power, said Friday. “We have crews scheduled around the clock along with our contractors and tree-trimmers, if needed. Just as we are prepared, we’re asking customers to make safety their top priority and prepare their homes and businesses as well.”
Crews are prepared to work around the clock as long as winds are below 35 miles per hour, restoring power to customers that are affected.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mable Edna Hogan
June 19, 2021
In His infinite wisdom, Almighty God bent down and whispered to one of His children, “Come with me, my daughter, for it’s time to go home,” and so it was that Monday, May 31, 2021, God closed the eyes of our beloved Mable Edna Hogan (Mamaw) one month and one day short of her 100th birthday.
Mable was born July 1, 1921 in McCullough, Alabama to the late Hattie and Henry Goodson. She is preceded in death by her five siblings; Gerald, Paul, Lillian, Juanita and Ruby; her dear husband, Oscar W. Hogan; her beloved daughters, Marilyn Caraway Ellis and Melba Caraway Leonard and her grandsons, Jody Caraway and Shane Worthy.
Mable was an engaging, witty, and exuberant person who loved her family, telling stories, listening to gospel music, cooking for loved ones, attending church, singing in the choir, and listening to Billy Graham and David Jeremiah preach. Her beautiful smile lit up any room, and her infectious laugh made her someone you wanted to be near.
She worked at International Paper Company in Mobile, AL for over 30 years and sang in the choir at Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile for many years. Later in life, she attended Brooks Memorial Baptist Church in Atmore.
She leaves to cherish fond memories her son, Billy Caraway (Becky Caraway), her daughter, Mary Beth Keith (David Keith) and her son-in-law, Cecil
Ellis. She also will be greatly missed by her eight grandchildren, Kathy Ellis Trawick (Tony Trawick), Rob Ellis (Sonya Ellis), David Ellis, Jill Ellis Tatum (Lance Tatum), Jeff Caraway, Emma Kate Keith, Connor Keith and Owen Keith; her nine great-grandchildren, Ryan Trawick (Kelly Trawick), Brittany Trawick, Rachel Ellis Lindell (Rob Lindell), Blake Ellis, Zachary Ellis, Thad Tatum, Zoe Tatum, Matthew Worthy (Karita Worthy) and Mitchell Worthy and her great-great grandkids, Magnolia, Ezekiel and Jordan Worthy and Harper and Hudson Lindell. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. Her fun-loving spirit and energy will be missed by all. Her influence will remain in the lives of all who knew her.
In closing, we are extremely grateful for the loving care given by Marilyn and Cecil Ellis over the last several years and the care given by Mary Beth Keith and her family over the last year. Mable Hogan was so loved. Most of all, we would like to give the glory to God for a life well-lived.
Graveside funeral services were held Saturday, June 5, 2021 at Serenity Gardens Cemetery in Atmore, AL with Rev. James Boyd officiating.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.