It’s The Last Day Of The Year For Area Schools
December 18, 2009
Today is the final day of school for students across the area before the Christmas holidays.
In Escambia County, teachers will return for planning day on Monday, January 4, 2010. Students will return to class on Tuesday, January 5, 2010.
Today is an early release day in Santa Rosa County. Students will return to school on January 4, 2010.
In Escambia County, Alabama, students will return January 4, 2010. That’s one day earlier than planned — one of two make up days for the days missed due to this week’s floods. The second make up day will be March 19.
Live Nativity Event Tonight In Cottage Hill
December 18, 2009
The First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill will host an outdoor event called “Christmas to the Cross” tonight from 6:30 until 8:30.
The event is a live nativity scene which portrays the life of Jesus from His birth in a manger, to His death of on the cross and His resurrection from the grave. There will be plenty of homemade cookies, hot chocolate and hot apple cider. Everyone is welcome to enjoy this free, festive event. The church is located at 230 Williams Ditch Road in Cantonment.
Rivers Starting To Fall; Roads Still Closed
December 17, 2009
(Updated 5:00 p.m.) The National Weather Service reports that the Escambia and Perdido rivers are both beginning to fall.
At 3 p.m., the Escambia River at Century was at 22 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. Also at 3 p.m., the Perdido River at Barrineau Park was at 18.8 feet and falling. Flood stage is 13 feet.
The following roads are closed in Escambia County:
- Bluff Springs Road
- Daffin Road
- North Barth Road
- River Annex Road between Muscogee Road and the bridge
- Railroad Street
- Mystic Springs Road
- Pineville Road at 3 run bridges
- Occie Phillips between Pineville and Highway 97-A
- Barrineau Park Road between Highway 99 and the Alabama State line.
The follow roads have reopened in Escambia County:
- Arthur Brown Road between Pineville and Highway 97-A
- Fannie Road
- Arthur Brown Road @ Brushy Creek Bridge
- Highway 29 at the Alabama State line.
- Jakes Road
Around the area, Highway 21, Highway 31 and Highway 41 in Escambia County, Alabama, are all now open.
Pictured above: Looking toward the Escambia River Thursday morning on Quintette Road. Submitted photo by Ron Wark for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
More Rain Tonight, Friday; Flash Flood Watch
December 17, 2009
There is a flash flood watch in effect for the entire area as more rain will fall during tonight and Friday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 46. Northeast wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
- Friday: Rain likely, mainly before 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. North wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 52. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 57. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 59.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
- Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 60.
- Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54.
Christmas Gala Tonight At Ernest Ward
December 17, 2009
Ernest Ward Middle School will host a Christmas Gala tonight at 6:30.
There will be plenty of entertainment from the band, chorus, drama team and other Ernest Ward students. There will also be special guest performers from the community, including harpists, stompers and singers.
Everyone is invited to this fun Christmas event. There is no set admission ticket price; a $1 donation or a can food donation to the Manna Food Bank is requested.
Santa Claus will be available for Christmas wish lists and photographs for $5 from 6:00 until 6:30.
Updated: More North Escambia Roads Closed, Some Reopen
December 17, 2009
(Updated 8:30 a.m.) Several North Escambia roads have been closed, while others have reopened.
According to Escambia County, the following roads are closed:
- Daffin Road
- North Barth Road
- River Annex Road between Muscogee Road and the bridge
- Railroad Street
- Mystic Springs Road
- Pineville Road at 3 run bridges
- O.C. Phillips between Pineville and Highway 97-A
- Barrineau Park Road between Highway 99 and the Alabama State line.
And the following roads have reopened:
- Arthur Brown Road between Pineville and Highway 97-A
- Fannie Road
- Arthur Brown Road @ Brushy Creek Bridge
- Highway 29 at the Alabama State line.
- Jakes Road
Pictured above: A flooded Occie Phillips Road. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
See Santa At The Library Today
December 17, 2009
Santa Claus is scheduled to pay a special visit to the Century Branch Library this afternoon for a special visit with North Escambia area children.
The event begins at 4:00 this afternoon. Everything is free, and everyone is invited.
The Century Branch Library is located at 7991 North Century Boulevard.
Pictured above: Ben Wilson of Walnut Hill makes a last minute decision about his Christmas list while visiting with Santa Claus last year at the Century Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Sunny And Cool Today; Rain Returning
December 16, 2009
Sunshine has returned to the North Escambia area, and it is going to be seasonably cool. But rain returns to the forecast for Thursday and Friday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. North wind around 10 mph.
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday: Scattered showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 43. Northeast wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Friday: Scattered showers. Cloudy, with a high near 53. North wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 52.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 52.
Latest Update: River Flood Warnings
December 16, 2009
The flood warning continues for the Escambia River near Century until further notice. At 9 p.m. Tuesday the stage was 22 feet. Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. Flood stage is 17 feet. The river will continue rising to near 23.9 feet by tomorrow evening then begin falling. At 19.5 feet, flooding of farm and pasture lands will gradually subside as the river level drops, but some flooding will continue the next several days.
The flood warning has been extended until Thursday afternoon for the Big Escambia Creek at Flomaton. At 4 p.m. Tuesday the stage was 19 feet. Major flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast. Flood stage is 14.0 feet. The river will continue to fall to below flood stage by Thursday morning.
The flood warning has been extended until late Friday night for the Perdido River at Barrineau Park. At 9 p.m. Tuesday, the stage was 14.6 feet. Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. Flood stage is 13 feet. The river will continue to rise to 16.6 feet by Wednesday evening. The river will fall below flood stage Friday evening.
The flood warning has been extended until late Thursday night for the Murder Creek at Brewton. At 9 p.m. Tuesday the stage was 27.9 feet. Moderate flooding is occurring and forecast to continue. Flood stage is 22 feet. The river will continue to rise to near 28.4 feet by after midnight Wednesday. The river will fall below flood stage by Thursday evening.
The flood warning for the Conecuh River at Brewton has been extended until Sunday morning. At 9 p.m. Tuesday, the stage was 29.1 feet. Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. Flood stage is 27 feet. The river will continue to rise to near 29.9 feet by Wednesday evening. The river will fall below flood stage early Sunday morning.
UPDATED: Area Road Closures
December 16, 2009
Here is the latest on the roads in and around the North Escambia area:
Escambia County (Fla.)
- Fannie Road
- Occie Phillips between Pineville and Highway 97-A
- Arthur Brown Road between Pineville and Highway 97-A
- Barrineau Park Road between Highway 99 and the Alabama State line.
Highway 31 and Highway 21 are both open in Atmore. Highway 97 is open in Florida. Highway 31 is open but detoured around Flomaton High School. Highway 29 is open in Flomaton. Highway 4 between Century and Jay is open. Highway 31 in Brewton is now open.Drivers in both states are urged to excercise extreme caution this morning, and remember…turn around, don’t drown…never drive through water covering the roadway.