Ernest Ward Veterans Program To Be Rescheduled
November 10, 2009
The Veterans Day program planned for Monday at Ernest Ward Middle School will be rescheduled.
Preliminary plans call for the event to be held Friday. EWMS will make an official announcement as soon as possible here on NorthEscambia.com.
Wind Advisory Issued
November 10, 2009
Wind Advisory in effect until 6 PM CST this evening…
The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a Wind
Advisory…which is in effect until 6 PM CST this evening.
Strong winds of 25 to 35 mph…along with occasional gusts to around
40 mph will continue through today as Tropical Depression Ida moves
eastward.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A Wind Advisory means that winds of 25 to 39 mph are expected. Winds
this strong can make driving difficult…especially for high profile
vehicles. Use extra caution.
5,000 Gulf Power Customers Lose Power; 2,000 Still Out
November 10, 2009
Gulf Power expects to restore power to all customers by midnight tonight as damage was minimal from Tropical Storm Ida.
“Our crews will work as fast and as safely as they can to get things back to normal,” said Sandy Sims, Gulf Power spokesperson. “We expect full restoration by this evening, except, possibly, near Panama City, which could take longer as the storm continues to move through that area today.”
At the height of the storm last night, around 5,000 of Gulf Power’s 429,000 customers – less than 1 percent — were without power. Some of the damage was tree-related and involved fuses, transformers and some wire down, which is similar to damage from an afternoon thunderstorm.
The minimal damage means repairs should go quickly, with no broken poles, or other major structures damaged. Gulf Power substations remained operating throughout the storm and very few main feeder lines were affected.
As of 6 a.m., 2,000 customers were still out. Gulf Power brought in 175 contractors to provide additional assistance.
“We really appreciate everyone’s patience,” Sims said. “We will be working hard today to get all problems fixed. We encourage everyone to stay safe.”
Sims said if customers have not yet called to report a power outage, they should do so today to help workers pinpoint individual problems. The number to call is 1-800-GUPOWER (487-6937).
ECUA Trash Pickup Schedule
November 10, 2009
Emerald Coast Utility Authority (ECUA) residential and commercial sanitation service collections have been changed for the week as a result of Tropical Storm Ida.
ECUA residential trash pickups will be as follows:
- Tuesday collections will be on Wednesday.
- Wednesday collections will be on Thursday.
- Thursday collections will be on Friday.
- Friday collection will be on Saturday.
ECUA commercial pickups scheduled for Tuesday will be collected on Wednesday. All other commercial collections will be on regularly scheduled days.
All Area Schools Closed Today
November 10, 2009
All schools in the North Escambia area are closed today.
Students will return to school Thursday, following the Veterans Day holiday on Wednesday.
Schools closed in the area include:
- Escambia County (Fla.) public schools
- Escambia County (Ala.) public schools
- Santa Rosa County public schools
- University of West Florida
- Pensacola Junior College
- Escambia Academy
- Temple Christian Academy
- Atmore Christian School
- Baldwin County public schools
Ida’s Center To Pass Over North Escambia; Don’t Expect A Lot More Rain
November 10, 2009
While the center of Ida is expected to pass over the North Escambia area later this morning, don’t expect a lot more rain.
Most of Ida’s rain is well away from the center of the storm. The North Escambia area will see winds increase, but the passage of the storm’s center will not bring heavy rain. Some wrap-around rain behind the storm might bring showers to the area later today, well after the center passes. Otherwise, expect a drizzle to continue.
The worst of Ida’s weather is in central and northern Alabama, even as far away as Huntsville.
Wind, Rain Reports From The Area
November 10, 2009
Here are the wind speeds and rainfall totals from across the North Escambia area as of 6:50 a.m.:
Molino, 6 mph, peak gust 30 mph. 4.28 inches of rain
Cantonment, 22 mph, peak gust 30 mph, (rainfall unavailable)
Jay, 2 mph, peak gust 22 mph, 5.27 inche of rain
Atmore, 16 mph, peak gust 32 mph, 3.29 inches of rain
Do You Have Ida Pictures Or Storm Reports? Send Them In!
November 10, 2009
Do you have Ida pictures? A storm damage report?
Share your photos with our readers by emailing them news@northescambia.com
If you have a storm report, email it, or use the comment form below.
Tropical Storm Warning Continues, Complete Forecast
November 10, 2009
A tropical storm warning continues in effect for North Esambia and surrounding areas today. Here is your official forecast:
- Today…Tropical storm conditions expected. Cloudy. Numerous showers in the morning…then chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs around 70. South winds 25 to 30 mph becoming southwest 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 70 percent.
- Tonight…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain in the evening. Lows in the mid 50s. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts to around 30 mph becoming 5 to 15 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 50 percent.
- Veterans Day…Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. North winds 10 to 15 mph.
- Wednesday Night…Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. North winds 5 to 10 mph becoming around 5 mph after midnight.
- Thursday…Sunny. Highs around 70. North winds 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s.
- Friday…Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s.
- Friday Night…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s.
- Saturday…Sunny. Highs around 80.
- Saturday Night…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s.
Gulf Power: 1,200 With Power
November 10, 2009
As of about 1:00 this morning, Gulf Power Company reported about 1,200 customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties without power.
Firefighters from Escambia Fire Rescue had been dispatched to several reports of power lines down across the area, primarily south of 10 Mile Road. In several cases, trees or tree limbs had fallen into the power lines. A few power pole and transformer fires were also reported.
To report a power outage on the Gulf Power system, call 1-800-487-6937.
To report a power outage on the Escambia River Electric Cooperative system, call 1-877-688-3732.