Hurricane Beryl Hits Jamaica, Cayman Islands Next
July 4, 2024
Hurricane Beryl continues across the Caribbean, according to the National Weather Service.
Beryl will possibly bring increased swells, rip currents and dangerous conditions at beaches along the northern Gulf Coast by the weekend, but no other serious North Escambia area impacts are expected.
The latest information on Beryl is in the graphics from the National Hurricane Center on this page.
Food Safety Tips For A Happier Fourth Of July
July 4, 2024
Due to a variety of factors, including warmer temperatures, foodborne illness increases in summer. Stay healthy and safe during warmer months by following these food safety recommendations from the USDA:
When bringing food to a picnic or cookout:
- Use an insulated cooler filled with ice or frozen gel packs. Frozen food can also be used as a cold source.
- Foods that need to be kept cold include raw meat, poultry, and seafood; deli and luncheon meats or sandwiches; summer salads (tuna, chicken, egg, pasta, or seafood); cut up fruit and vegetables; and perishable dairy products.
- A full cooler will maintain its cold temperature longer than a partially filled one. When using a cooler, keep it out of the direct sun by placing it in the shade or shelter.
- Avoid opening the cooler repeatedly so that your food stays colder longer.
When cooking on the grill:
- Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meat and ready-to-eat items like vegetables or bread.
- Keep perishable food cold until it is ready to cook.
- Use a food thermometer to make sure meat and poultry are cooked thoroughly to their safe minimum internal temperatures
- Beef, Pork, Lamb, & Veal (steaks, roasts, and chops): 145 °F with a 3 minute rest time
- Ground meats: 160 °F
- Whole poultry, poultry breasts, & ground poultry: 165 °F
- Always use a fresh, clean plate and tongs for serving cooked food. Never reuse items that touched raw meat or poultry to serve the food once it is cooked.
When serving food outdoors:
- Perishable food should not sit out for more than two hours. In hot weather (above 90 °F), food should NEVER sit out for more than one hour.
- Serve cold food in small portions, and keep the rest in the cooler. After cooking meat and poultry on the grill, keep it hot until served – at 140 °F or warmer.
- Keep hot food hot by setting it to the side of the grill rack, not directly over the coals where they could overcook.
Breaking: Highway 168 Bridge Closed Near Bratt
July 3, 2024
For an update to this story, click here.
A bridge on Highway 168 near Bratt was closed Wednesday afternoon after failed inspection.
The bridge is located on Highway 168 just east of Pine Barren Road.
Drivers will need to use the current detour route for the closed Highway 4 bridge by using Bratt Road.
More details to come on NorthEscambia.com.
Heat Advisory For Wednesday, Chance Of Rain
July 3, 2024
A heat advisory is in effect for Wednesday with heat index values up to 111 degrees expected.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Heat index values as high as 106. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Independence Day: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 106. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Take Our Quick Four Question Fourth Of July Survey
July 3, 2024
How do you celebrate the Fourth of July? Who has the best local fireworks show?
Those are two of the four questions in the NorthEscambia.com Fourth of July Survey. Click here to take the survey, and look for the results in an upcoming story on NorthEscambia.com. The Google form will ask you to save in to save your progress, but it’s not necessary and we won’t share your contact info. It’s all anonymous.
(OK, there is one more optional question if to want to prep: What does the Fourth of July mean to you?)
The form will close Wednesday at 3 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Hurricane Beryl Continues Across The Caribbean
July 3, 2024
Hurricane Beryl continues across the Caribbean, according to the National Weather Service, and will threaten Jamaica on Wednesday
The hurricane center forecasts that Beryl will weaken after reaching Jamaica but remain a strong hurricane.
Beryl will possibly bring increased swells, rip currents and dangerous conditions at beaches along the northern Gulf Coast by the weekend, but no other serious North Escambia area impacts are expected.
The latest information on Beryl is in the graphics from the National Hurricane Center on this page.
Hurricane Beryl Becomes Earliest Category 5 On Record
July 2, 2024
Hurricane Beryl became the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record Monday night as it moved through the southeastern Caribbean, according to the National Weather Service.
The monster storm is forecast to move southeastern and central Caribbean Sea Tuesday and pass near Jamaica on Wednesday.
The hurricane center forecasts that Beryl will weaken after reaching Jamaica but remain a hurricane.
Beryl will possibly bring increased swells and rip currents to the northern Gulf Coast by the weekend, but no other serious North Escambia area impacts are expected.
The latest information on Beryl is in the graphics from the National Hurricane Center on this page.
Another Heat Advisory For Tuesday, Slight Chance Of Rain
July 2, 2024
A heat advisory is in effect for Tuesday with heat index values up to 111 degrees expected.
Tuesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 111. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Independence Day: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Heat Advisory For Monday, Heat Index Up To 111 Degrees
July 1, 2024
A heat advisory is in effect for Monday with heat index values up to 111 degrees expected.
Here is your official North Escambia forecast:
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 111. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 108. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Independence Day: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 93.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 93.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Hurricane Beryl Becomes First Category 4 Ever In June
July 1, 2024
THIS STORY IS OUT OF DATE. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFO.
Hurricane Beryl has strengthened into an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm as it barreled toward the southeast Caribbean, according to the National Hurricane Center. Beryl is the fist ever category 4 storm in June.
Its center is expected to move across the Windward Islands Monday, bringing destructive winds and life-threatening storm surge.
Beryl will possibly bring increased swells and rip currents to the northern Gulf Coast by the weekend, but no other serious North Escambia area impacts.
The latest information on Beryl is in the graphics from the National Hurricane Center on this page.