Possible Severe Storms Today; Rivers Rising
April 2, 2009
More rain and thunderstorms are possible today across North Escambia, with some storms possibly becoming severe with damaging winds. The weather service says that fast moving squall lines are expected to dump another two plus inches of rain on already saturated ground.
But the primary threat from today’s weather with be strong winds and perhaps an isolated tornado, forecasters say. Today’s rain chance is 60 percent, with a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms, especially between 2 p.m and 11 p.m. Winds will increase to 25 mph with higher gusts.
The rain chance continues at 60 percent for tonight, with most storms before 11 p.m. Storms may be severe with high winds.
Friday and Saturday are forecast to be sunny with highs in the low to mid 70’s.
Rivers
The flood warning continues until further notice for the Escambia River near Century. Wednesday night, the stage was at 18.4 feet. Flood state is 17 feet. Minor flooding is occurring and is forecast to continue. The river will continue to rise to about 18.8 feet by Thursday afternoon and remain at that level until Friday morning before beginning to fall.
The flood warning continues for the Perdido River near Barrineau Park. Wednesday night, the river was at 15.3 feet; flood state is 13 feet. The river is forecast to continue to fall to below flood stage by Thursday afternoon.
Roads
Escambia County lists the following roads as problem areas: Poplar Dell Road, Arena Road, Eastman Lane, Nine and a Half Mile Road at Sunday Road, and Cottage Hill near Williams Ditch. Many other North Escambia roads, especially dirt roads, have problem areas.
Santa Rosa County’s problem roads include: Donald Jerinigan at Munson Highway, Chumuckla Highway at Brooks Forest Way, Allentown Road from 89 to Central School Road, Munson Highway near Coldwater Flats, Chumuckla Highway Howell Pitt, Highway 87 at Bullard Road.
Pictured above: The boardwalk at Molino Fairgrounds Park was flooded by the Escambia River Wednesday afternoon. Pictured below: The boat ramp was also underwater. Submitted photos by Deni Deron for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Big Read: To Kill A Mockingbird At Century Library Tonight
April 2, 2009
Escambia County’s Big Read is coming to the Century Branch Library tonight, and you are invited to join in a discussion of “To Kill A Mockingbird”.
The West Florida Literary Federation, the Pensacola Little Theatre and the West Florida Public Library are presenting Escambia County’s Big Read. The groups are encouraging everyone to read this year’s Big Read book, “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, as a way to promote reading and to encourage discussions in the community.
The movie and a discussion will be presented at 6:00 tonight at the Century Branch Library at 7995 North Century Boulevard.
The Big Read culminates with a stage production of “To Kill A Mockingbird” at the Pensacola Little Theatre at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 3. For more information on that show, visit www.PensacolaLittleTheatre.com.
For more information on the Big Read tonight at the Century Branch Library, call 256-6217.
Road Closures Due To Flooding
March 31, 2009
Several roads in the area are flooded following heavy rains today.
Escambia County officials report the following road closures due to flooding:
- Poplar Dell Road
- Arena Road
- Eastman Lane
- Nine and a Half Mile Road at Sunday Road
- Cottage Hill Road near Williams Ditch
NorthEscambia.com readers report that ” Barrineau Park Road has water rushing across the road just South of Barrineau Park School Road and before the bridge at the bottom of the hill. This is on a bad curve and is a potential for an accident. Water is also rushing across Barrineau Park Road just South of Barrineau Lane, again on a curve. Water is up to the bottom of the door on small vehicles on Barrineau Park School Road toward the Barrineau Park Road end. Please use caution, especially once nightfall comes.”
Tornado Warning: Central Escambia
March 31, 2009
The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a
* Tornado Warning for…
central Escambia County in northwest Florida…
* until 630 PM CDT
* at 533 PM CDT…a meteorologist near Beulah Florida reported a
funnel cloud near Beulah…near the landfill…and was moving east
at 40 mph.
rural eastern Escambia County at 550 PM CDT
sturdy building…preferably in an interior hallway or a room such as
a closet or bathroom. If possible…get under a workbench or other
piece of sturdy furniture. Use blankets or pillows to cover your body
and always stay away from windows. In addition to the tornado…this
storm is capable of producing large damaging hail or damaging
straight line winds.
If you are in Mobile home…evacuate it and get on the lowest floor
of a nearby sturdy building or in an underground storm shelter. If no
substantial shelter is available and a tornado is fast approaching…
head with your hands.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT
Tuesday evening for southwestern Alabama and northwest Florida and
southeast Mississippi.
Flash Flood Warning
March 31, 2009
(Updated 4:55 p.m.) The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning until 9:00 tonight.
Radar estimated that some areas between Walnut Hill, McDavid and Molino had received up to five inches of rainfall as of 5:00 this afternoon.
There is an 80 percent chance of more rain tonight, and a 40 percent chance of storms, some possibly severe, for Wednesday and Wednesday night. The chance of rain continues at 60 percent for Thursday.
The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for…
Escambia County in northwest Florida…
Okaloosa County in northwest Florida…
Santa Rosa County in northwest Florida…
southwestern Covington County in south central Alabama…
southern Escambia County in south central Alabama…
* until 900 PM CDT
Ernest Ward Cheerleading Tryouts Canceled
March 31, 2009
Cheerleading tryouts at Ernest Ward Middle School today have been canceled due to weather.
The tryouts will be recheduled sometime after Spring Break.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued; Flood Watch In Effect; More Rain Ahead
March 31, 2009
(Updated 1:20 p.m.) The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for North Escambia and surrounding areas until 7:00 tonight. A flash flood watch is also in effect until Wednesday morning.
Many across the North Escambia area will keep a watchful eye on the skies today, with as much as five to six inches of rain expected by tomorrow morning.
The National Weather Service says scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop across the region during the day, gradually becoming more numerous during the afternoon. By the late afternoon or early evening hours, a more organized squall line will develop in advance of an approaching front. The storms will move across the area during the late evening or early Wednesday morning.
On the severe weather side, the primary threat from the squall line will be damaging straight line winds. But the biggest concern across North Escambia will be the potential for very heavy rainfall following last weeks storms that dumped up to an estimated 15 inches near Molino.
The weather service says that an average of two to four inches can be expected across the area, with localized areas receiving up to five to six inches. The heavy rains would likely make flooding conditions along area streams and rivers worse, and heavy rains on already saturated ground would create the possibility of more flash flooding in the region.
The weather service has issued a flash flood watch in effect through Wednesday morning. The official rain chance is 100 percent today, 80 percent tonight, 50 percent early Wednesday, 20 percent Wednesday night, 60 percent Thursday and 30 percent Thursday night. Friday and Saturday look sunny, and the rain is forecast to return by Sunday.
NorthEscambia.com will continue to monitor the weather situation and post updates as needed.
Flood Warnings For Perdido And Escambia Rivers Extended
March 31, 2009
Flood warnings are in effect for the Perdido River near Barrineau Park and the Escambia River near Century.
The warning for the Escambia River near Century continues until further notice. Tuesday morning, the stage was at 18.2 feeet. It is expected to rise to 18.4 feet by midnight Tuesday and then begin falling. At 17 feet, considerable flooding of lowlands occurs until the river drops below 13 feet.
The warning for the Perdido River near Barrineau Park has been extended until Thursday afternoon. Flood stage on the river is 13 feet. Tuesday morning, the stage was 12.5 feet. The river is forecast to rise to 13.5 feet by Thursday morning.
Pictured above: The road to Fischer’s Landing on the Escambia River in Century was flooded Monday morning. The entire landing is underwater. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Meeting Tonight To Discuss New Bratt Park Plan
March 31, 2009
Bratt area residents will have the chance to express their opinion on two possible layouts for the new Bratt Community Park at a meeting tonight.
One option for the new park on Highway 4 near the First Baptist Church of Bratt includes two softball fields, a full basketball court, a covered picnic pavilion and a kid’s playground.
The second option includes more green space, with one softball field, a half-court basketball court, two smaller picnic pavilions and a kid’s playground.
Both options include a paved, 8-foot wide, eight-tenths of a mile walking/biking track around the perimeter of the park. There will also be exercise and rest stations positioned along the track.
The softball fields will not be lit for night play; the park’s hours will follow that of other county parks — sunrise to sunset.
The park will be funded with $200,000 is LOST (local option sales tax) funds set aside to fund the park’s development.
The county will hold a public meeting at 6 pm. today at Shiloh Baptist Church for public input on the park plans.
Click here for a pdf of Option A for the new Bratt Community Park.
Click here for a pdf of Option B for the park.
Medical Call At Northview High
March 30, 2009
Emergency units including LifeFlight were called to Northview High School about 7:45 this morning for a medical call.
Officials tell us that the call was a medical emergency, and the school day will go on as normal.