Tropical Storm Cristobal Makes Landfall; More Local Impacts Tonight
June 7, 2020
A tropical storm warning is in effect, including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. A flash flood watch is also in effect.
The center of Tropical Storm Cristobal has made landfall in southeast Louisiana. Hazardous weather conditions will continue to spread inland across portions of the northern Gulf Coast through tonight. There is a high risk of rip currents at local beaches, with coastal flooding.
Heavy rain is likely and flooding is possible through Monday morning with several inches of rain possible. Rainfall totals will likely be higher south of I-10, but heavy rain is likely inland.
Below is the official North Escambia area forecast. Rain chances and wind speeds will be slightly higher south of I-10.
Sunday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 75. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Monday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 83. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 89.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Click any graphic to enlarge for additional information.
Saturday Update: Eight Additional COVID-19 Cases In Escambia County
June 6, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST UPDATE.
The number of COVID-19 cases was up by eight in the Saturday report from the Florida Department of Health.
The number of cases in Escambia County is now 879, and Santa Rosa County is up one to 257.
Of the 36 deaths in Escambia County, 28 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been eight deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and none in long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 62,758 cases including 61,246 Florida residents. There have been 10,891 hospitalizations* and 2,688 deaths. The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
Escambia County cases:
- Total cases — 879 (+8 since Friday)
- Pensacola — 622
- Cantonment — 53
- Bellview — 6
- Perdido Key — 1
- McDavid/Walnut Hill — 1
- Molino – 11
- Century — 2
- Hospitalizations: 65*
- Deaths — 36
- Male — 293
- Female — 407
- Youngest — 0
- Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
- Total cases — 257 (+1 since Friday)
- Milton — 158
- Navarre — 40
- Gulf Breeze — 31
- Pace — 17
- Jay — 4
- Residents: 129
- Nonresidents — 1
- Hospitalizations — 25*
- Deaths — 9
- Male — 180
- Female — 73
- Youngest — 2 months
- Oldest — 94
Florida cases:
- Total cases — 62,758
- Florida residents — 61,246
- Deaths — 2,688
- Hospitalizations — 10,891*
*“Hospitalizations” is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized.
Tropical Storm Warning: Tracking Cristobal, Local Conditions
June 6, 2020
A tropical storm warning is in effect, including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
It is important not to focus on the center of Tropical Storm Cristobal as impact will occur outside the cone, especially to the east (right).
Cristobal is still on track to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast on Sunday evening. There is a high risk of rip currents at local beaches, with coastal flooding.
Heavy rain is likely and flooding is possible Sunday through Monday morning with several inches of rain possible. Rainfall totals will likely be higher south of I-10, but heavy rain is likely inland.
At this time, Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will be windy, but inland areas should not see sustained tropical storm force winds. This could change depending on the track and intensity of the storm at landfall. A few tornadoes are possible for coastal Alabama and northwest Florida Sunday afternoon through Sunday night.
Below is the official North Escambia area forecast. Rain chances and wind speeds will be slightly higher south of I-10.
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 71. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Sunday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 83. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Sunday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 74. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Monday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 84. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Click any graphic to enlarge for additional information.
Tropical Storm Warning In Effect, Including Escambia And Santa Rosa
June 5, 2020
A tropical storm warning has been issued from Morgan City, Louisiana to the Okaloosa/Walton county line in Florida, including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 36 hours.
Tropical Storm Cristobal is moving north through the Gulf of Mexico. In Escambia County, there will be high risk of dangerous rip currents at the coast. Heavy rainfall of 3-6 inches in possible.
The latest on Cristobal is in the graphics on this page, click any image to enlarge. Don’t pay attention to just the path in the graphics; Cristobal has a large wind field to the east of center.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. East wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 82. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 72. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 84. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. High near 86. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Click any graphic to enlarge for additional information.
Today’s The Last Day Of The Disaster Prep Sales Tax Holiday. Here’s What You Can Buy Tax Free.
June 4, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. THE TAX HOLIDAY ENDED JUNE 4.
Floridians can purchase qualifying disaster preparedness supplies exempt from tax during the 2020 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. Passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the sales tax holiday begins ends Thursday, June 4.
The following items are tax free until midnight:
For the complete, detailed information from the Florida Department of Revenue, click or tap here.
Nine Mile Road Set To Be Completely Closed At Highway 29 Thursday Night
June 4, 2020
Nine Mile Road is set to be complete closed at the Highway 29 overpass Thursday night.
The closure is planned for 8 p.m. to midnight as crews paint the newly constructed southbound bridge deck. Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
All Nine Mile Road traffic will be directed to the on and off-ramps at the Highway 29 overpass. Traffic control officers will be on site to help direct motorists.
Eastbound Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one lane, directed to Highway 29 southbound, U-turn at West Hood Drive, and return to Nine Mile Road. Westbound traffic will perform the same operation at West 9 1/2 Mile Road.
Throughout the week, drivers traveling Nine Mile Road at the Highway 29 overpass and traffic between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
Click graphic to enlarge.
Here’s The Latest On Expected Local Impacts From Cristobal And Our Detailed Forecast
June 4, 2020
Cristobal has weakened to a tropical depression over land, but it is expected to regain tropical storm status. Cristobal continues to slowly move over the Yucatan today before drifting north into the Central Gulf this weekend.
At this point for Northwest Florida, there will a high risk of rip currents long the coast. Heavy rainfall is likely late Saturday night into early Monday morning. There is a possibility of some wind impact along the coast.
The latest on Cristobal is in the graphics on this page, click any image to enlarge.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 82. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 85. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Click any graphic to enlarge for additional information.
COVID-19 Deaths In Escambia County Increase To 35, Nine New Cases
June 3, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
One additional COVID-19 death and nine new cases were reported Tuesday in Escambia County, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The death was a 41-year old male, the youngest fatality to date in Escambia County.
The number of cases in Escambia County is at 853, and Santa Rosa County increased by two to 250.
Of the 35 deaths in Escambia County, 27 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been eight deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and none in long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 57,447 cases including 56,001 Florida residents. There have been 10,412 hospitalizations and 2,530 deaths. The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
Escambia County cases:
- Total cases — 853 (+9 since Tuesday)
- Pensacola — 607
- Cantonment — 51
- Bellview — 6
- Perdido Key — 1
- McDavid/Walnut Hill — 1
- Molino – 11
- Century — 2
- Hospitalizations: 65*
- Deaths — 35
- Male — 281
- Female — 401
- Youngest — 0
- Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
- Total cases — 250 (+2 since Tuesday)
- Milton — 157
- Navarre — 39
- Gulf Breeze — 30
- Pace — 17
- Jay — 4
- Residents: 129
- Nonresidents — 1
- Hospitalizations — 23*
- Deaths — 9
- Male — 178
- Female — 69
- Youngest — 2 months
- Oldest — 94
Florida cases:
- Total cases — 57,447
- Florida residents — 56,001
- Deaths — 2,530
- Hospitalizations — 10,530*
*“Hospitalizations” is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized.
Cantonment Man Facing Felony Drug Charges, Resisting Arrest After Traffic Stop
June 3, 2020
A Cantonment is facing multiple felony charges after a traffic stop.
Justin Michael Odom, 26, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on two counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, concealing evidence, resisting arrest and possession of marijuana. He was released on a $8,000 bond.
An Escambia County deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that did not make a complete stop at a stop sign on Luis Street and Muscogee Road. An ECSO K-9 alert on the passenger side of the vehicle where Odom had been sitting. As deputy searched Odom and attempted to place him handcuffs, he pushed away and tried unsuccessfully to run away, according to an arrest report.
Deputies located a “cylindrical tube” on the ground near Odom that contained marijuana, three small bags of methamphetamine and Alprazolam, according to the report.
The driver of the vehicle was ticketed for running a stop sign.
ECUA Ending COVID-19 Relief Plan, Resuming Non-Pay Disconnects
June 3, 2020
When the COVID-19 pandemic started, the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority suspended disconnections to lend a helping hand to families experiencing financial hardships. In less than two weeks, ECUA will return to cutting off water service for non-payers.
On March 16, the ECUA board suspended their overdue account policy, but ECUA is only able to legally extend this courtesy for 90 days. The suspension on water disconnects due to non-payment and delinquent accounts will end on June 15.
“We encourage anyone with an ongoing hardship to contact us about their account and discuss setting up a payment plan,” said Nathalie Bowers, ECUA public information officer.
To establish a payment plan or inquire about an account, call ECUA customer service at (850) 476-0480.