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.
Ida Graphics, Maps
November 10, 2009
Here is a set of graphics with complete information about Ida. (Scroll all the way down the page to see them all; click any image to enlarge.)
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Gulf Power, EREC Ready To Respond
November 10, 2009
Gulf Power Company and Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC) officials say that they are ready to respond to any damage left behind by Tropical Storm Ida.
“EREC is ready to respond should Tropical Storm Ida cause damage to the EREC power system. Members are encouraged to stay abreast of storm developments and take necessary safety precautions,” said Sabrina Owens, EREC spokesperson. EREC is a Touchstone Energy cooperative that distributes electricity to approximately 10,000 members in northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida.
“This storm will impact our customers from Panama City to Pensacola and we will work as fast as possible, but we do expect it to take a day or two to restore service to everyone,” Gulf Power spokesperson Sandy Sims said. “We ask everyone to be patient. Fortunately our crews have a lot of hurricane experience and are recognized as some of the best storm crews in the nation. We are called on almost every year to help other utilities across the Southeast. We know we can count on their help now if we need it.”
Gulf Power will conduct a damage assessment immediately after the storm and then deploy crews and materials to restore power as quickly as possible. The utility works with county Emergency Management Centers to determine priority restoration to hospitals, police and fire stations, water and sewer lift stations and other critical services.
“We know it’s been a few years since we’ve had a direct hit in Northwest Florida so we encourage everyone to take this storm seriously, prepare for the worst and have patience after the storm,” Sims said.
To report a power outage on the EREC system, call 1-877-688-3732.
To report a power outage on the Gulf Power system, call 1-800-487-6937.
Post Office: Storm May Delay Mail Delivery
November 10, 2009
Some areas hard hit by Ida may see short-term delays in mail delivery on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Postal Service.
Mail may arrive later in the day than normal or, in heavily impacted areas, mail delivery may be delayed until after Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11.
Closed evacuation areas, flooded roads, and fallen trees may put some homes and businesses temporarily out of reach. Postal officials, however, stress that everything possible will be done to keep disruptions to an absolute minimum.
Postal officials also note that some 24-hour Post Office Box Service lobbies will be locked tonight and early Tuesday to minimize flooding by heavy wind and rain. Also, some blue mail collection boxes will be sealed tonight and early tomorrow to prevent mail from being deposited and possibly damaged by the storm.
Wednesday, November 11 is Veterans Day. Post Offices will be closed and there will be no regular mail delivery. Retail and delivery services will resume Thursday, November 12.
No ECAT Bus Service Today
November 10, 2009
Due to Tropical Storm Ida, there will not be Escambia County Area Transit service today.
For more information contact ECAT at 595-3228.