Karen Fizzles Out; Expected Impact Now ‘Minimal’
October 5, 2013
Karen has all but fizzled out today downgraded to a tropical depression with winds down to 40 mph. The tropical storm watch that was in effect for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties has been dropped.
After a beautiful sunny Saturday, Sunday is expected to bring a few clouds from the remnants of Karen — expected to approach Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as just a tropical depression. Most areas will receive only up to an inch or two of rain, and the chance of severe weather is extremely small. Winds will gust to tropical storm strength only along the immediate coast, with 10-15 mph winds and gusts up to 20 mph forecast in the North Escambia area.
Complete details are in the graphics above and below, click to enlarge.
Blackwater River State Forest, Including Campgrounds, Closing
October 4, 2013
All campgrounds and recreation areas on Blackwater River State Forest will be closed today at 5 p.m. due to possible impacts from Tropical Storm Karen and will remain closed until further notice.
Campers and visitors in the campgrounds and recreation areas are being asked to leave by 4:00 p.m.
Areas will be reopened as soon as possible after impacts from Tropical Storm Karen have been assessed and mitigated. No road closures are anticipated at this time; however visitors should use extreme caution when traveling though Blackwater River State Forest due the possibility of downed trees and power lines. Flooding may also occur in low lying areas.
National Guard’s Storm Preparations Affected By Government Shutdown
October 4, 2013
As the Panhandle prepares for Karen, the Florida National Guard says preparations have been affected by the partial shutdown of the federal government. The National Guard has about 2,000 full-time federal employees, and half of them are furloughed.
“We will be affected,” National Guard Capt. Melissa DeLeon said Thursday. “Our maintenance guys have been furloughed, so they are currently not here. In normal operations we would be maintaining equipment right now, and we can’t do that, since those soldiers have been furloughed.”
State emergency managers are working with the National Guard to fund the positions in the short-term with state money, and later apply for reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Parts of the Panhandle — including Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties — were placed under a hurricane watch after Tropical Storm Karen formed Thursday morning off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. The storm is expected to become a hurricane, before making landfall as a tropical storm this weekend, possibly in Alabama, Mississippi or Northwest Florida.
Tate Begins District Play
October 4, 2013
The Tate Aggies are riding high on a four-game winning streak, but this week the start district 7A team will play against powerhouse Niceville. At 5-0, the Niceville Eagles have scored 154 points this season while allowing their opponents 58 points.
The Aggies defense has prevented their opponents from scoring a single point in the last two games. Tate’s coach, Ronnie Douglas said after last week’s game that shutting out Pine Forest High School 35-0 was “big”. Tate’s defense held Pine Forest to just 160 yards rushing and only 37 yards passing.
Tate’s workhorse running back Tay Samuel, who has put up big numbers this year, needs another big game to help the Aggies continue their winning streak. Tate’s defense also has to continue limiting their opponent to minimum yards on the ground and in the air in order to win. Tate knows Niceville will be a very different challenge than what the Aggies have faced over the past couple of weeks.
The Aggies will honor their seniors for Senior Night tonight as they play their last regular season home game against Niceville at 7:30 pm at Tate’s Pete Gindl Stadium.
File photo.
Gulf Power, EREC Gear Up For Karen
October 4, 2013
Gulf Power and Escambia River Electric are monitoring Tropical Storm Karen and making preparations should the storm affect our area.
“If we have a direct hit from a Category 1 or strong tropical storm, outages could last two to three days,” said Jeff Rogers, corporate communications manager. “We are making plans to account for all scenarios.”
Line crews are fueling their trucks and warehouses are stocking materials. In addition to Gulf Power crews, about 60 contract line crews and tree trimmer crews are on standby to assist in restoration efforts.
“Our employees are well trained and have the resources to repair our system as soon as the storm has safely passed. We have additional crews and equipment from other electric cooperatives ready to assist if needed,” Said EREC spokesperson Sabrina Owens.
“We are looking at our crew schedules to ensure we have maximum coverage should the storm affect our area,” Rogers said. “We will continue to monitor the storm’s track…and will make preparations based on the landfall of the storm.”
Pictured top: Clint Floyd checks equipment on Gulf Power trucks. Pictured inset: Stewart Cornelius loads equipment on a Gulf Power truck. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Football Schedule
October 4, 2013
Here’s a look at the football schedule for tonight in the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- *Northview at Jay, 7 p.m.
- *Bay at West Florida, 7 p.m.
- *Niceville at Tate, 7:30 p.m.
- *Pace at Pine Forest, 7:30 p.m.
- *Mosley at Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
- *PHS at Escambia, 7:30 p.m.
- *Washington at Milton, 7:30 p.m.
- *Navarre at Fort Walton Beach, 7 p.m.
- *Rutherford at Gulf Breeze, 7 p.m.
* denotes district games
ALABAMA
- Flomaton at Sweet Water
- Thomasville at Escambia Co. (Atmore)
- Escambia Academy at Pike Liberal
- T.R. Miller at Cottage Hill Christian
- Excel at W.S. Neal
Northview Schedules Homecoming Parade; Entries Accepted Now
October 3, 2013
The fifth annual Northview High School Homecoming Parade has been scheduled for Friday, October 18.
The parade will line up at noon and travel from Bratt Elementary School to Northview High. Entries are being accepted now; there is no cost to enter. For a printable entry form, click here. Entries are due by Wednesday, October 16.
Contact Perry Byars at (850) 327-6681 ext. 248 for more information.
The Northview Chief’s homecoming game will kickoff at 7 p.m. on October 18 against Freeport.
Pictured: A float in the 2012 Northview High Homecoming Parade in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Envision Cantonment Workshop Tonight
October 1, 2013
Escambia County Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will hold a series of meetings to discuss eight focus areas of the Cantonment CRA starting Tuesday at 6 p.m., at the Greater First Baptist Church, 591 Booker Street, Cantonment.
The community break-out session will include a discussion on the goals, values and priorities of the community.
A Little Rain For Monday
September 29, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Monday: Isolated showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Monday Night: A slight chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
- Tuesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Friends Of The Library Book Sale Continues
September 29, 2013
It’s time to stock up on reading material, and the Friends of the West Florida Public Library Fall Used Book Sale is the place to do it at a reasonable price today.
Sunday hours for the book sale are noon-3 p.m. During that time, books may be purchased by the bag for $5. Admission is free. The sale is held inside the West Florida Public Library’s downtown branch at 239 Spring Street.
The sale will include books of all kinds – hard cover, soft cover and paperback – along with CD’s, DVD’s, magazines and puzzles.
All proceeds benefit the West Florida Public Library system, including branch libraries in Molino and Century.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.