• Home
• News
• Events
• Features
• Sports
• About
• Contact
• Advertise

Free Classifieds | Obituaries |

Escambia, Santa Rosa Emergency Officials Watching Debby

Forecasters say the worst of Tropical Storm Debby will not hit Escambia or Santa Rosa counties, but the storm bears watching for a possible change in direction. And county officials say now is the time to review your disaster plans.

The following information has been released by local emergency management officials:

Escambia County:

• The National Park Service has closed Fort Pickens Park due to concerns about coastal flooding.
• Escambia County Emergency Management is closely monitoring the forecast track for Tropical Storm Debby. Further updates will be issued as needed.

Santa Rosa County:

• There is a high risk of strong/dangerous rip currents at the beaches and the risk will likely continue through early next week.
• Given the recent heavy rains in the area, the thresholds for flooding are lower than normal.
• Santa Rosa County Emergency Management is currently monitoring and preparing for any possible effects. While the emergency operation center is not activated at this time, staff are watching the system closely and participating in conference calls with the National Weather Service and State Emergency Operations Center.

Steps Residents Can Take Now

• Beachgoers, swimmers and surfers should heed red flag warnings and stay out of the water as deadly rip currents and rough surf conditions are expected.
• Review your family disaster plan. Don’t forget special plans for elderly, handicapped, children and pets.
• Know your evacuation zone.
• Make plans to secure your property. Check for, fix or remove loose items on your structures/homes. Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed. Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and down spouts.
• Make sure your hurricane kit contains non-perishable food, water, medications for three to five days for each family member and pet.
• Know what low-lying areas near your home are subject to flooding such as creeks, drainage channels, streams and bayous.

Tropical Storm Warning: Debbie Churns In The Gulf

A tropical storm warning has been issued for South Alabama and Northwest Florida as Tropical Storm Debby, the fourth storm of the 2012 hurricane season, continues to churn in the Gulf of Mexico.

The National Hurricane Center said Saturday the storm is expected to move over the northern Gulf of Mexico with gradual turn toward the Florida Panhandle during the next few days. Debby is forecast to become a hurricane.

The latest conditions and forecast path for Debby are in the graphic above, click to enlarge.

For the coastal portions of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, there is a high surf and coast flood advisory in effect. Winds are forecast to be 10-15 mph in the inland areas and 15-20 mph closer to the coast on Sunday with gusts of 30 mph possible. For more on the local impacts from Debby, click here.

Debby has also forced the suspension of eight percent of the region’s oil and gas production.

Officials said nine production platforms and one drilling rig were evacuated — including one drilling rig towed into Pensacola Bay. The reduced production is not expected to impact oil prices unless the storm strengthens and forces more production platforms to close.

It is the first time four tropical storms have formed before July 1 during the Atlantic hurricane season since record keeping began in 1851.

Images on this page are updated live by the National Hurricane Center. Reload the page to see the latest update.

Tropical Storm Debby Forms In Gulf

Tropical Storm Debby formed in the Gulf of Mexico this afternoon with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.

Debby was located about 220 miles south-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River and moving north at about 6 mph. Debby is forecast to change to a more westerly course, impacting southern Louisiana before making an eventual landfall in Texas.

Complete information is in the National Hurricane Center graphic above, click to enlarge.

Central Water Works Well Repaired

[Updated 5 p.m.] A Central Water Works water well that failed earlier today has been repaired. The failure had put about 500 customers in danger of losing water service.

The well on Killam Road was repaired by about 5 p.m. with the water tower tank that serves the area still about one-quarter full, company officials said.

The well serves Central Water Works customers in Byrneville, Poplar Dell and north into Alabama including portions of Old Atmore Road and Clearview Road, and customers on Highway 4 from Byrneville to about Williams Road in Century.

Latest Gulf System Update, Plus Weekend Forecast

This story has been updated. This an archive story only. Latest info available on TS Debbie on NorthEscambia.com.

Forecasters are continuing to watch a large surface low pressure in the Gulf of Mexico that the National Hurricane Center says has a good chance of development this weekend.

The system is drifting slowly northward, but computer models differ on a hard turn for the storm either toward Texas or central Florida.

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

• Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast.
• Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind around 5 mph.
• Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
• Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
• Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. East wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
• Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
• Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
• Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
• Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
• Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
• Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
• Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.

Eyes On The Gulf: Tropical System Could Form Today

The National Hurricane Center is now giving a broad area of low pressure centered near the northern coast of the Yucatan a good chance of developing into a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours.

The area of low pressure is producing a large area of showers and thunderstorms from the Yucatan to Cuba and southern Florida. Upper level winds are becoming more favorable for development.

All interests along the entire United States Gulf Coast should monitor the progress of this system through the weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Area In Gulf Has 70 Percent Chance Of Tropical Development

The National Hurricane Center is now giving a broad area of low pressure centered near the northern coast of the Yucatan a 70 percent chance of developing into a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours.

The area of low pressure is producing a large area of showers and thunderstorms from the Yucatan to Cuba and southern Florida. Upper level winds are becoming more favorable for development.

All interests along the entire United States Gulf Coast should monitor the progress of this system through the weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Brickyard Road Public Meeting Tonight

A public information meeting about proposed improvements to Brickyard Road over an unnamed branch will be held tonight in Molino by the Florida Department of Transportation.

The project involves replacing an existing bridge on Brickyard Road, repaving the approaches, new guardrail, minor drainage improvements, sodding and placement of new pavement markings. The project is approximately 700 feet in length with construction scheduled to begin in the summer of 2014. During construction, the roadway will be closed and traffic diverted. Additional right-of-way will be required for the bridge and roadway improvements.

The public meeting will be held Thursday from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. at Highland Baptist Church at 6240 Highway 95A in Molino.

Representatives from FDOT will be available to explain the proposed improvements and answer questions.

Slight Rain Chances Moving Into Forecast

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

• Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. East wind around 5 mph.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind around 5 mph.
• Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
• Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
• Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph.
• Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
• Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
• Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. East wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
• Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
• Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
• Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73.
• Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
• Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
• Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.

Slight Rain Chance Tonight

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

• Tonight: Isolated showers before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 66. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
• Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
• Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming east.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
• Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
• Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind around 5 mph.
• Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind around 5 mph.
• Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind around 5 mph.
• Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
• Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
• Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
• Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.

« Previous Page — Next Page »

Copyright © 2007-2025 NorthEscambia.com · P.O. Box 1207 · Century, FL 32535 · All Rights Reserved.