Helene Continues Toward Florida Big Bend Landfall As Major Hurricane
September 25, 2024
This story is outdated. See NorthEscambia.com for the latest information.
Helene continues toward a landfall by about Thursday night in the Big Bend area of Florida, accord to forecasters.
The current forecast and forecast models are predicting the storm to be major hurricane (Category 3 or higher) when it makes landfall.
The likelihood of strengthening is high.
The forecast path can, and often will, change. It’s too early to tell what local impacts the hurricane will have in the Escambia County area. At minimum, our rain chance will increase, and there will be an increased risk of risk currents and high surf at the beaches as it becomes windy.
The latest information is in the graphic above.
Schools Are Open Today Across The Area
September 25, 2024
Yes, schools are open today in Escambia County in Florida, Escambia County in Alabama and Santa Rosa County.
Each of the districts will monitor the progression of the storm and issue and updates as required for Thursday. Any updates will be posted here on NorthEscambia.com
There is one announced change in Escambia County. The Navarre at Tate High School football game that was schedule for Thursday has been postponed until Friday night at 7:00.
The school districts released the following statements Tuesday afternoon:
Escambia County (FL) Schools
Escambia County Public Schools is in constant contact with the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center and National Weather Service as we monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Helene.
We will continue to monitor this storm as it progresses across the Gulf and will update our families as the need arises. The safety of our students and staff remains our number one priority, and any weather-related decisions we make will reflect that.
Santa Rosa County Schools
Our District Officials have been in close contact again (Wednesday) with the Santa Rosa Emergency Management Office and National Weather Service of Mobile.
Based on today’s updates and progression of this storm now trending further east, school WILL BE in session Wednesday, September 25. We will provide another update (Wednesday) regarding decisions for school on Thursday, September 26. Please know, the safety of our students and staff continues to be our top priority…We hope you and your family stay safe during this time!
Escambia County (AL) Schools
Escambia County School in Alabama did not release a specific statement Tuesday, but did not announce any closures of cancellations.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely Through Thursday
September 25, 2024
This story is outdated. See NorthEscambia.com for the latest information.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Light northeast wind becoming east 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 69. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. North wind around 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 84.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 84.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 83.
Tropical Storm Helene Forms, To Become Hurricane In The Gulf
September 24, 2024
THIS STORY IS OUTDAETD. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFO.
Tropical Storm Helene formed Tuesday morning and is expected to become Hurricane Helene in the Gulf of Mexico by Wednesday.
The current forecast and forecast models are predicting the hurricane by about Thursday night in the Big Bend area of Florida.
The likelihood of strengthening is high, becoming a major hurricane.
The forecast path can, and often will, change. It’s too early to tell what local impacts the hurricane will have in the Escambia County area. At minimum, our rain chance will increase, and there will be an increased risk of risk currents and high surf at the beaches.
The latest information is in the graphic above.
Sunny Today, Rain And Chance Of Storm Wednesday, Thursday
September 24, 2024
For latest on the tropics, click here.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. High near 84. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 69. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 74. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. North wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 83.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 83.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 84.
Free Sand For Storm Prep Available In Escambia County
September 24, 2024
Escambia County has free sand available for residents living in flood prone areas due to a hurricane expected to form in the Gulf of Mexico.
The sand is available on a first come, first served basis 24 hours a day at the following locations:
- Don Sutton Park – 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
- Travis M. Nelson Park - 4541 County Road 4, Pensacola
- Equestrian Center – 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park – 555 E. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola
- Escambia County Road Department – 601 Highway 297-A
- Ferry Pass Middle School – 8355 Yancey Lane, Pensacola (NW cornerschool property on Parazine Street)
- Baars Field Athletic Park – 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
- Brent Athletic Park – 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels. Sandbags are typically available for purchase at home improvement and hardware stores.
Pictured: Sand at Travis M. Nelson Park in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Forms, Expected To Become Hurricane In The Gulf
September 23, 2024
This story is outdated. See NorthEscambia.com or our social media for the latest updates.
Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine has formed in the western Caribbean.
By the middle of the week, it is expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico and become a hurricane with an eventual Florida landfall.
The likelihood of strengthening is high for what will eventually be named Tropical Storm and then Hurricane Helene.
The forecast path can, and often will, change. It’s too early to tell what local impacts the hurricane will have in the Escambia County area. At minimum, our rain chance will increase, and there will be an increased risk of risk currents and high surf at the beaches.
The latest information on the PTC 9 is in the graphic above.
Sunny Monday And Tuesday, Increasing Rain Chance Midweek
September 23, 2024
For latest on the tropics, click here.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 82.
First Day of Fall: Sunny And Warm, No Rain Chance
September 22, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Calm wind.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Two Offers On The Table From Unnamed Companies For Parts Of OLF-8
September 21, 2024
Escambia County has two offers on the table for portions of the OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road.
The county has two unrelated letters of intent for different parcels from two unnamed companies. Both are on the agenda for the Escambia County Commission to discuss at their Tuesday morning meeting.
Unnamed Companies? Why the Mystery?
The companies making offers for the OLF-8 parcels remain “secret”. Most details about the new companies and their plans remain confidential during discussions, as is allowed under state law. It’s standard in economic development across Florida.
Project Dynamo
Another letter of intent with the codename “Project Dynamo” was submitted August 23 with an expiration just six days later on August 29. The offer was submitted by KBC Advisors, a nationwide real estate advisory firm.
The offer is for 24.79 acres for $2.479 million with $25,000 in refundable earnest money with a 210-day contingency period. During that period, the purchaser would determine at their “sole discretion whether the Property is suitable for Purchaser’s intended use”.
“At any time prior to the expiration of the Contingency Period, Purchaser may, in its sole discretion, terminate the Agreement for any reason and receive back the Earnest Money,” the offer states.
While the exact project remains secret, there are some clues that have become public.
According to minutes from a June 25 Pensacola-Escambia Promotion and Development Commission (PEDC) meeting, then-FloridaWest CEO Brian Hilson explained this project will be a distribution center occupying an industrial building of 100,000 square feet.
“Mr. Hilson shared insights about a prospective OLF8 candidate that requires 20 acres of land. The company’s timing requires construction and occupancy by the fall of 2025 with employment up to 125 workers. Revisions to the OLF8 master plan and installation of water, sewer and road infrastructure must be expanded,” the PEDC minutes sate.
Project Meridiem
The latest offer is under the codename “Project Meridiem”. The letter of intent is for about 12 aces located along Frank Reeder Road at $100,000 per net useable acre, or about $1.2 million.
The company is offering a $25,000 refundable deposit applicable to the purchase price with a 90-day due diligence period that could be extended if an environmental study is required for development. The sale would close within 30 days of the end of the due diligence period.
The company is asking the county to provide some infrastructure for the project: “Seller shall be responsible for providing any required access roads up to the boundaries of the Property as well as providing all
utilities to the site including but not limited to water/sewer, power, and high-speed network infrastructure. The Seller shall also be responsible for installing appropriate drainage infrastructure surrounding the Property as well as providing regional detention that will satisfy all requirements for the subject Property.”
The letter was submitted on behalf of the unnamed company from JLL, is a worldwide commercial real estate and investment company. The offered terms expire September 27, 2024.
What’s next for the two offers?
Both letters of intent are on the agenda for discussion at the Escambia County Commission meeting on Tuesday, September 24 at 9 a.m. The commission could decide to take action to accept or reject either letter of intent, continue negotiations, table action or simply do nothing.
What about the rest of OLF-8?
There are two outstanding offers outstanding. One is from Tri W Development for $36 million for the entire property, and one is from Beulah Town Center for 290 acres at $25 million.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.