Tropical Storm Ike Forms
September 1, 2008
Tropical Storm Ike formed Monday afternoon with winds of 50 mph.
The storm is in the Atlantic, about 1400 miles from the Leeward Islands. It is moving west at 16 mph.
Ike is likely to become a hurricane in the next couple of days.
North Escambia Weather Forecast
September 1, 2008
(Updated 4:30 p.m.) North Escambia remains under a tornado watch and a flash flood watch until midnight.
Here is the weather forecast:
Tonight: Cloudy with showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 70s. Southeast winds 15 to 20 mph becoming east 5 to 15 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 70 percent.
Tuesday: Cloudy with showers and thunderstorms likely. Highs in the mid 80s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
Hurricane Hanna Forms Monday
September 1, 2008
Hurricane Hanna formed Monday afternoon near the southeastern Bahamas.
Winds were at 75 mph, with additional strengthening forecast over the next several days.
The National Hurricane Center forecast takes the storm toward the Georgia coast on Friday as a Category 1 hurricane.
Schools Prepared For Storm
September 1, 2008
Schools in Escambia County are prepared for Hurricane Gustav and the expected tropical storm conditions in North Escambia.
Hurricane shutters were put up Friday in advance of the storm, and on Saturday school buses were recalled to central locations from the homes of bus drivers.
The district is monitoring the progress of Gustav and conditions in Escambia County.
School District spokesperson Ronnie Arnold said district personnel would be assigned to the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center to monitor the hurricane.
Information about school on Tuesday will be relayed to school district employees by email and to the public via news organizations such as NorthEscambia.com.
School is already out on Monday for the Labor Day holiday. As for now, officials say be prepared for school to be in session on Tuesday.
Pictured above: School buses in Escambia County were recalled Saturday from bus driver homes to central locations, such as this parking lot at Ernest Ward Middle School. Pictured below: For the second weekend in a row, hurricane shutters are up at Ernest Ward and other schools across North Escambia. NorthEscambia.com photos.
Gulf Power, EREC Are Prepared For Gustav
September 1, 2008
Gulf Power Company and Escambia River Electric are prepared for whatever Gustav brings to North Escambia.
“We have a storm-tested restoration plan and we’re preparing for widespread power outages,” John Hutchinson, corporate services general manager said. “We’re prepared to activate our emergency operation center and each Gulf Power employee has a specific storm duty to ensure that power is restored quickly and safely.”
“We are watching Gustav closely and all emergency response personnel are ready to respond to whatever the storm may bring our way. Additional co-op crews are on stand-by status to speed the recovery process if needed,” said Clay Campbell, EREC CEO and general manager.
Gulf Power is also checking with neighboring utilities and contractors to put crews on standby in case outside workers are needed. After Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Gulf Power brought in more than 4,000 outside workers. The company is also checking its supplies of materials and reviewing storm assignments.
“We will work as fast and as safely as possible,” Hutchinson said. “We ask our customers to please be patient.”
Hutchinson said if the hurricane does effect us in Northwest Florida, Gulf Power crews would more than likely be sent to help neighboring states restore power, something the utility does almost anytime a hurricane strikes in the Southeast.
“We work a hurricane somewhere almost every year,” Hutchinson said. “The good part about that is that our crews are very well tested and have more experience in emergency restoration operations than other utilities across the country.”
EREC is also prepared to help electric cooperatives in neighboring states if there is little damage here.
“As a Touchstone Energy® cooperative, EREC is part of a vast network of member-owned electric co-ops committed to superior service. Assisting fellow cooperatives in times of need is an essential part of the Touchstone Energy® network,” Campbell said.
Gulf Power is able to detect most widespread outages during a storm and customers should wait a reasonable time before calling in an outage report. The number to call for reporting outages is 1-800-GU-POWER (487-6937).
EREC customers should call (8877) OUT-EREC (688-3732) to report a power outage.
Watch Live TV From New Orleans
August 31, 2008
NorthEscambia.com is providing a free video stream from WWL-TV in New Orleans for more Gustav coverage.
Click here for the stream in an new window.
A high speed (DSL, Cable, Satellite) connection is required.
Escambia To Hold Emergency Meeting Today About Gustav
August 31, 2008
The Escambia County Commission will hold a special emergency meeting this morning at 10:00 to determine whether or not a local state of emergency should be declared due to Hurricane Gustav.
A declaration of local state of emergency will allow the county to implement protective actions if needed. The meeting will be held at the Public Safety Building, 6575 North “W” Street.
A county press release says officials are monitoring Gustav. There are no evacuations or protective actions at this time. The public will be advised as soon as any decisions are made. We will have those updates here on NorthEscambia.com.
Wait And See For School Tuesday
August 31, 2008
The Escambia County School District is monitoring the progress of Gustav across the Gulf of Mexico.
School District spokesperson Ronnie Arnold said district personnel would be assigned to the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center, if it is activated, to monitor the hurricane.
Information about school on Tuesday will be relayed to school district employees by email and to the public via news organizations such as NorthEscambia.com
School is already out on Monday for the Labor Day holiday.
Molino, Byrneville Churches To Hold Singing Tonight
August 31, 2008
Churches in Byrneville and Molino will hold singings tonight.
The Beulah Chapel Assembly of God will have a signing beginning at 6:30 featuring the Harmonares. Everone is welcome. The church is located on Highway 4A in Byrneville.
Reconciled from Olive Baptist Church will be at a Fifth Sunday Night Singing this afternoon at 4:30 at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. The singing will be followed by covered dish supper at 5:30. The church is located on Highway 95A just south of Molino Road.
Flomaton Going Country Tonight
August 30, 2008
Flomaton will go country tonight.
The Tri Cities Rotary Club, MK Farm and Rafter L Farm will present a Bull Riding Blowout with a live concert from up and coming Nashville stars Brad Caswell and Anna Garrett tonight.
Gates will open at 6:00 p.m. and the event starts at 8:00 p.m. at Highway 31 and Highway 113 in Flomaton, Alabama.
Adult tickets are $10, student tickets are $5 and kids under six are free. Concessions available; bring your lawnchairs.