Salvation Army Ready
November 10, 2009
The Salvation Army throughout the Panhandle made preparations to respond in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ida.
Four Salvation Army mobile feeding units are standing by from Pensacola to Tallahassee to respond. These units can feed up to 3,000 meals if necessary and will be able to move quickly into areas affected by the storm. In addition, Salvation Army response teams throughout the state are also ready to respond if needed.
The Salvation Army’s State Director of Emergency Disaster Services, Kevin Smith says “We are ready to assist those affected by this storm no matter what the magnitude or impact it might have on the residents of the Panhandle. Even though the storm has been downgraded at this time, no one can ever predict what kind of an affect this type of storm will have on an area until it makes landfall”.
The Salvation Army is committed to partnering with all levels of government in order to be more efficient in its disaster response, providing collaborative response with all agencies assisting in response effort.
Storm Shelter Information
November 10, 2009
Three shelters are open in Escambia County (Fla.). They are:
- Pensacola High School Gymnasium 500 West Maxwell Street, Pensacola 32501
- Molino Park Elementary – Buildings 1-5, 899 Highway 97, Molino 32577
- Molino Park also serves as a pet shelter (Evacuees are welcome without pets as well.)
- West Florida Technical (Special Needs Only) – Buildings 25 and 26, 2400 Longleaf Drive, Pensacola 32526
For more information about the Molino Park Elementary Shelter, which does accept pets, click here.
In addition, a sexual predator shelter is open at the Escambia County Work Release Center at 601 Highway 297A, Cantonment.
About Hurricane Shelters
Hurricane evacuation shelters are provided for public use in the event a hurricane evacuation becomes necessary and if you have no other place to go. It is recommended that other arrangements be made with a friend or relative that lives in a well constructed home, out of the evacuation area, and properly protected to withstand hurricane force winds. You will probably be more comfortable, certainly in a less crowded environment and among friends. Remember, alcohol, weapons and pets are NOT permitted in public shelters.
Many churches will provide shelter for members and business owners should consider sheltering employees and families if possible.
Buildings used for evacuation shelters are normally public schools that are staffed by Red Cross volunteers and U.S. Navy personnel. Shelters are always crowded, usually uncomfortable when the power goes off because there is no ventilation, long lines form for restroom use and for food, and they are very noisy – making it difficult to rest or sleep. Keep in mind you may have to stay in the shelter for several days.
Things to Take to a Public Shelter
If you go to a public shelter, you will need to take the following items:
- Change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes
- Toiletries and personal items
- Blankets or sleeping bags and pillows
- Identification and any important papers
- Games, toys or books for children
- Books for adults
- Special items for infants or elderly family members
- Any special dietary needs and non-perishable foods for snacks
- Battery operated radio, flashlights and plenty of spare batteries
After The Storm: The Phone Numbers You Need
November 10, 2009
Here are phone numbers that you may need after Tropical Storm Ida:
- Emergencies: 911
- Gulf Power Company: 505-5711 or (800) 487-6937
- Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC):877-688-3732
- Frontier Communications: 611 or (850) 587-5119 or (800) 476-4001
- AT&T telephone: 877-737-2478
- Bright House Cable: (866) 876-1872
- Town of Century: (850) 256-3208
- Energy Services of Pensacola (ESP): 474-5300
- DirecTV: (800) 494-4388
- Dish Network: (888) 284-7116
- Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff: 436-9630
- Santa Rosa County Sheriff: 850-893-1193
- Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff: 251-867-0304
- American Red Cross: 432-7601 or 800-773-762
- Salvation Army: 432-15010
- Florida Department of Insurance: 800-22-STORM
- Florida Department of Agriculture: 800-435-7352
- Attorney General (Consumer Fraud): 850-414-3600
- Crisis Counseling & Referral: 888-532-4006
Citizens’ Information Lines Open
November 10, 2009
Three citizens information lines are open in Escambia County if you need more information on Tropical Storm Ida:
- Escambia County Citizens Info Line: 471-6600
- Escambia Sheriff’s Office Info Line: 436-9630
- Escambia Schools Info Line: 469-5306
- Santa Rosa County Citizens Info Line: 983-4636
Weather Setting Off Alarms, Otherwise A Normal Night For FHP, ECSO, Fire
November 9, 2009
Monday was an ordinary night for emergency workers across Escambia County.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has responded to multiple business and residential alarms tonight, mostly the result of power failures and the weather.
Escambia County Fire Rescue has responded to several business and residential fire alarms caused by the weather and power failures. Firefighters in North Escambia had no responded to any calls as of 11:30 p.m.
Otherwise, it had been an ordinary night for the sheriff’s office as of 11:30 p.m. with ordinary traffic stops and a few family disturbances. In North Escambia. deputies have mostly been on patrol, conducting ordinary checks on communities across the area.
As of 11:30, the Florida Highway Patrol was working just one traffic accident in the Escambia and Santa Rosa county areas. The accident was at East 9 Mile Road and Holsberry Road. There were no injuries reported in that wreck.
Live Ida Updates All Night
November 9, 2009
NorthEscambia.com will be here will live Tropical Storm Ida updates all night.
Keep checking back for the latest information on the storm, as well as any storm damage reports.
Flood Warning: Southeastern Escambia, Southwestern Santa Rosa
November 9, 2009
* Flash Flood Warning for…
southeastern Escambia County in northwest Florida…
this includes the city of Pensacola…
southwestern Santa Rosa County in northwest Florida…
southern Baldwin County in southwest Alabama…
extreme southeastern Mobile County in southwest Alabama…
* until 130 am CST
* at 1023 PM CST…National Weather Service radar indicated a rain band
associated with Tropical Storm Ida…nearly stationary over southern portions
of Baldwin County Alabama…southern Escambia County and extreme
southwest Santa Rosa County in Florida. Doppler weather radar trends indicate the
potential of heavy rain will continue into the predawn hours Tuesday morning
over the warned area.
* Locations in the warning include but are not limited to Bon
Secour…Turkey Branch…Summerdale…
Robertsdale…Point Clear…Oak…mouth of Weeks Bay…Montrose…
Miflin…Marlow…Magnolia Springs…Lillian…
Foley…Fairhope…Elsanor…
West Pensacola…Warrington…
naval base…pace…Myrtle Grove…Gulf Breeze…Goulding…
Gonzalez…Ferry Pass…Ensley…East Pensacola Heights…Cottage
Hill…Cantonment…
3 inches of rain has already fallen over portions of southern
Baldwin County…southeast of Foley since 7 PM this evening. Amounts
of just under 2 inches have fallen over southern Escambia County.
Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible in the
warned area through 130 am Tuesday morning.Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding. If flash flooding is observed…act quickly.
Move up to higher ground to escape flood waters. Do not stay in
areas subject to flooding when water begins rising.
Most flood deaths occur in automobiles. Never drive your vehicle into
areas where the water covers the roadway. Flood waters are usually
deeper than they appear. Just one foot of flowing water is powerful
enough to sweep vehicles off the Road. When encountering flooded
roads make the smart choice…turn around…dont drown.
Ida Nearing Dauphin Island
November 9, 2009
At 730 PM…the center of Ida is estimated by local radar to be
around 55 miles south of Dauphin Island Alabama…moving north
northeast at around 19 mph. This places the center of circulation
moving inland between Ft Morgan and Orange Beach in the next 2 to 3
hours. Winds near the center of circulation are between 38 and 50
knots with higher gusts. Further weakening is expected as it nears
landfall.
Observations along the immediate coast near the mouth of Mobile Bay
show tidal levels have risen to around 3 feet above predicted levels
and will continue to rise for the remainder of this evening possibly
as much as 6 feet before midnight…especially to the east of the
center of circulation affecting the southeast part of Mobile Bay and
the Intracoastal Waterway of Alabama and northwest Florida from the
Alabama barge canal to Big Lagoon.
Winds speeds near the mouth of Mobile Bay were around 30 knots
gusting to 40 knots with higher gusts expected up until landfall
which is estimated to be around 12 midnight.
Further to the east near the southern end of Pensacola Bay waters
levels were about 2 feet above predicted levels and will continue to
rise…possibly reaching 5 feet above predicated levels before
midnight.
Wind speeds near the southern end of Pensacola Bay were around 20
knots gusting to near 30 knots and are expected to increase to
around 35 to 40 knots with higher gusts for the next 2 hours.
Offshore…significant wave heights 15 miles south of Gulf Shores
were 14 feet.
At the north end of Mobile Bay at the Alabama state docks water
levels were decreasing in height and were about 1 foot above
predicated levels but could rise briefing again near landfall before
falling again after midnight as the center of circulation moves
further inland.
Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office Prepared For Storm; All GPS Monitored Persons Must Surrender At Jail
November 9, 2009
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office took measures to ensure that they were ready to meet the needs of the citizens of Santa Rosa County during Tropical Storm IDA. Beginning at midnight, all deputies that were regularly scheduled to be off were in for storm duty and extra patrol.
Specialized units such as investigations and narcotics were assigned to extra patrol. Also, all of the Sheriff’s Office Hurricane Response equipment (4 wheel drives, ATV’s, generators, extra vehicles, and the Mobile Command Center) were prepared and dispersed to all areas of the county to be ready for any potential problems that may arise within the county.
The Sheriff’s Office GPS Unit also ordered all adult individuals that are currently electronically monitored in the County and Circuit Courts in Santa Rosa County to immediately surrender themselves to the officer in charge at the Santa Rosa County Jail. This was done at the direction of an Administrative Directive issued by the courts due to the State of Emergency that was issued, and the likelihood of the Sheriff’s Office being unable to maintain electronic contact with the monitored individuals.
These individuals will remain incarcerated until such time as electrical power is restored and electronic monitoring can be resumed. The majority surrendered themselves to the Santa Rosa County Jail. Any individual that did not voluntarily comply will be picked up by GPS deputies and face additional charges.
Tropical Storm Ida: Century
November 9, 2009
Century Mayor Freddie McCall said Monday evening that there were no problems reported in the town.
He said traffic was flowing well at a normal volume on Highway 29.
The Century Town Hall will be open as usual Tuesday morning, he said, but that is subject to change.
Emergencies with gas, water or sewer in the town can be reported to the usual after-hours number (850) 256-3208.