Claudette Weakens; Flood Warning Issued; Hurricane Bill In Atlantic
August 17, 2009
(Updated 1:00 p.m.) After making landfall early this morning neat Ft. Walton Beach, Claudette has weakened to a tropical depression. All tropical weather warnings for our area have been discontinued. A flash flood warning was issued for North Escambia and surround areas.
Trailing showers and thunderstorms from the remains of Claudette are bringing heavy showers to North Escambia and surrounding areas today with some areas already receiving three to five inches of rain. Several more inches of rain are possible, prompting a flash food warning.
Tropical Depression Ana
Tropical Depression Ana was located near latitude 17.3 north, longitude 66.2 west or about 75 miles south of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ana was racing toward the west near 28 mph. A turn toward the west-northwest is expected during the next couple of days. This motion could bring the center of Ana near the Leeward Islands on Monday. Maximum sustained winds were at 35 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength if forecast the next 24 hours.
Ana is likely to degenerate into a tropical wave later today.
Hurricane Bill
The season’s first hurricane — Hurricane Bill — form in the Atlantic early Monday morning.
The center of Hurricane Bill was located near latitude 14.1 north, longitude 45.2 west or about 1,080 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. Bill is moving toward the west near 16 mph. Maximum sustained winds have increased to 90 mph with higher gusts.
Pictured top: What is expected to become Tropical Storm Claudette is forecast make landfall in Northwest Florida. Pictured below: National Hurricane Center forecast paths for Ana (top) and Bill (bottom). Click to enlarge.
Funeral Today For Area Marine Killed In Afghanistan
August 17, 2009
Funeral services for Lance Cpl. Bruce “Bubba” Ferrell Jr., 21, will be held today in Bay Minette. The marine from Perdido, Ala., was killed a week ago Sunday night in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb.
His body arrived by plane Sunday morning at the Mobile Regional Airport. The body was escorted back to the Bay Minette Civic Center by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and the Patriot Guard. Hundreds lined the route, waving flags and homemade signs honoring Ferrell for his military service.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 Monday afternoon at the Bay Minette Civic Center. Burial will follow at Bryars-McGill Cemetary near Perdido.
Ferrell joined the Marine Corps in November 2007, and was promoted to rank of lance corporal. His unit deployed to Afghanistan in May of this year as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
He was a gradate of Baldwin County High School where he was an honor student and a member of the JROTC program.
Ferrell was a member of Fox Company, a rifle unit of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Regiment of the Marine Corps. His tour of duty was scheduled to be just seven months.
He was recently engaged to be married.
Escambia Officials: Little Impact Expected From Tropical System
August 16, 2009
From Escambia County Emergency Management:
Escambia County Emergency Management officials are keeping an eye on Tropical Depression 4, as the county is placed under tropical storm warning. A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere in the warning area within 24 hours.
(For details on the tropical system, click here.)
On the forecast track, the center of the depression should be very near the northern gulf coast of Florida by late this afternoon. Some strengthening is expected and the depression is forecast to become a tropical storm prior to reaching the coastline, but it is not expected to make significant impact our area.
“We may see some heavy rains as a result, but we don’t expect any high winds or coastal flooding,” said John Dosh, manager of Emergency Management. “This event is a good example of how quickly a tropical storm can develop. We won’t always have a lot of warning. This is why citizens need to be prepared throughout hurricane season.”
For information on how to prepare your home for a tropical storm or hurricane, visit www.bereadyescambia.com.
Power Companies Are Ready For Tropical Storm Claudette
August 16, 2009
If your power goes out because of Tropical Storm Claudette, the four power companies that serve the area say that they are prepared to restore your power as soon as possible.
“Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Inc. is ready to respond should Tropical Storm Claudette cause damage to the EREC power system,” Sabrina Owens, EREC spokesperson, said Sunday afternoon. EREC serves about 10,000 of electric customers in northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Other customers in the North Escambia area are served by Gulf Power, Alabama Power and Southern Pine Electric Cooperative.
The following numbers can be used to report outages:
- EREC: 1-877-OUT-EREC or 1-877-688-3732.
- Gulf Power: 1-800-487-6937
- Alabama Power: 1-800-888-2726
- Southern Pine: 1-866-867-5415
And remember that if the power is out, you can still access NorthEscambia.com on most cell phones at www.NorthEscambia.com
NWE Meeting Today: Officers, Board Members To Be Named
August 16, 2009
Northwest Escambia Little League Baseball will hold their monthly meeting Sunday afternoon at 2:00 at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
The 2009-2010 season nomination and election of the board of directors and officers will be held at this meeting. Anyone interested in becoming an officer or board member must attend. The public is welcome. More info? Call (850) 327-6722.
Tropical Wave Bringing Weekend Rain; Tropical Storm Ana In Atlantic To Grow
August 15, 2009
Tropical storm Ana has formed , and there’s a good chance of showers and thunderstorms for your Saturday. Sunday also looks to be a wet day as tropical moisture associated with a tropical wave moves across the area with good shower and thunderstorm coverage. The tropical moisture is forecast to linger across the area on Monday.
Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center is continuing to monitor tropical storm Ana 900 miles east of the Windward Islands.
Ana is moving to the west at 16 miles per hour with a gradual turn toward the west-northwest expected.
Maximum sustained winds are at 40 mph with Ana forecast to be at or near hurricane strength by Thursday. The forecast path takes the storm near south Florida by Thursday.
Your local North Escambia forecast is as follows:
Saturday
Partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms in the morning…then numerous showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s. Southeast winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. East winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. Numerous showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70
percent.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph becoming around 5 mph in the late evening and overnight. Chance of rain 50 percent.
Monday
Partly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Chance of rain 30 percent.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Community Clothes Closet Open Today
August 15, 2009
The Community Clothes Closet will be open today from 9 until noon at the Jay Community Center.
Everything is free for those in need. For more information, contact Wendy at (850) 686-6124.
Singles Night Tonight At Molino Church
August 14, 2009
If you are single, or single again, there’s a chance tonight to meet other singles in a positive environment.
The New Beginnings Gang will meet at 6:00 tonight at Highland Baptist Church in Molino.
The free event will include a movie, pizza, dessert, and great fellowship. For more information, call the church at 587-5174.
Flood Advisory Issued
August 12, 2009
The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued an
* Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory for…
northwestern Escambia County in northwest Florida…
southwestern Escambia County in south central Alabama…
* until 815 PM CDT
* at 622 PM CDT a storm spotter reported water on Highway 31 in
Atmore. National Weather Service radar estimated between 4 and 5
inches of rain fell from Atmore to wabeek this afternoon. Rain has
let up in the area but and additional half inch of rain is
possible…therefore runoff will continue to keep water in low
places on area roads for a few more hours.
Radar indicates the heaviest rain fell along and just south of
Highway 31 from Atmore to wabeek
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause elevated levels on
small creeks and streams…and ponding of water on country roads and
farmland along the banks of creeks and streams.
Do not drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the
roadway. The water depth may be too great to allow your car to cross
safely. Move to higher ground.
Storms Cause Problems In Atmore
August 12, 2009
Afternoon storms caused flooding and other storm-related problems in Atmore.
A large portion of the city was without power about 5 pm, and street flooding was problem.
Authorities said that portions of Main Street were flooded, including the intersection of Main and Ridgely streets where several vehicles were stalled by high water.
Trees were reported down, including at Jacks Springs and Sunset roads.
By 6 pm, power had been restored to most areas, and most road flooding had receeded.