NWS Adding New ‘Destructive’ Severe Thunderstorm Warning That Will Alert On Your Phone
July 27, 2021
The National Weather Service is adding two new thunderstorm warning categories, one of which will trigger an alert of your phone.
Severe thunderstorms can be life-threatening, but not all severe storms are the same. Hazardous conditions range from tornadoes, large hail storms, and widespread straight-line winds called derechos, to cloud-to-ground lightning and flash flooding. Starting August 2, the National Weather Service will work to better convey the severity and potential impacts from thunderstorm winds and hail by adding a “damage threat” tag to severe thunderstorm warnings, similar to tornado and flash flood warnings.
The NWS developed three categories of damage threat for severe thunderstorm warnings. The categories, in order of highest to lowest damage threat, are destructive, considerable, and base. These tags and additional messaging are designed to promote immediate action, based on the threats:
- The criteria for a destructive damage threat is at least 2.75 inch diameter (baseball-sized) hail and/or 80 mph thunderstorm winds. Warnings with this tag will automatically activate a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) on smartphones within the warned area.
- The criteria for a considerable damage threat is at least 1.75 inch diameter (golf ball-sized) hail and/or 70 mph thunderstorm winds. This will not activate a WEA.
- The criteria for a baseline or “base” severe thunderstorm warning remains unchanged, 1.00 inch (quarter-sized) hail and/or 58 mph thunderstorm winds. This will not activate a WEA. When no damage threat tag is present, damage is expected to be at the base level.
On average, only 10 percent of all severe thunderstorms reach the destructive category each year, nationwide. Most of these storms are damaging wind events such as derechos and some of the larger, more intense thunderstorms, called “Supercell” storms that can typically produce very large hail in their path. The new destructive thunderstorm category conveys to the public urgent action is needed, a life-threatening event is occurring and may cause substantial damage to property. Storms categorized as destructive will trigger a WEA to your cell phone.
AG Consumer Alert: Beware of Scammers Trying to Exploit Child Tax Credit Payments
July 27, 2021
Attorney General Ashley Moody today issued a Consumer Alert warning that scammers may attempt to target recipients of the Child Tax Credit payments. Eligible parents have started to receive a monthly advance payment on the Child Tax Credit as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. An estimated 36 million families will continue to receive payments from the Internal Revenue Service of up to $300 per child, per month.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Anytime the federal government is doling out huge amounts of money, scammers pounce — trying to make a quick, dishonest dollar. With this latest round of federal stimulus money slated to be distributed, parents should be on the lookout for scams.”
Attorney General Moody is asking eligible Floridians to stay informed about the payment schedule to avoid scams and to seek out verified sources of information, such as the IRS, to stay up to date. The following tips will also help Floridians spot and avoid scams related to the Child Tax Credit payments:
- Eligible families will receive payments automatically and do not have to sign up or register for Child Tax Credit payments;
- The IRS will never randomly call, text, email or direct message anyone asking for money or personal information. If asked, hang up immediately and directly contact the business or agency that the fraudster was impersonating;
- The IRS will never ask for payment via gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency; and
- Any offers to speed up the delivery time of a Child Tax Credit payment is a scam.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Residents In Stacey Road, Quintette, Highway 95A Area
July 27, 2021
On Tuesday, Cottage Hill Water Works lifted a precautionary boil water notice that was issued Monday following a 4-inch water main break on Stacey Road. The boil water notice was rescinded after the satisfactory completion of bacteriological sampling.
The boil water notice was effect for customers that reside on Stacey Road north to Quintette Road, and Highway 95A north to St. Matthews Lane.
For more information, call Cottage Hill Water Works at (850) 968-5485.
Cantonment Man That Went Missing On His Way To Work Found Safe
July 27, 2021
A Cantonment man that went missing July 19 after leaving for work has been found safe, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.
Michael L. Lady, 62, was last seen about 5 a.m. on July 19. He left Petty Street, just off Tate Road, on a 2002 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 motorcycle headed to work in Panama City.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Man Charged With Aggravated Battery Of His Girlfriend In Century
July 26, 2021
A man is facing two felony charges after allegedly head-butting and biting his girlfriend during an argument at a Century apartment complex.
Melvin Shamar Pleasant, age 21 of Flomaton, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery causing bodily harm.
Pleasant and his girlfriend of four months were “hanging out together” at her apartment on West Highway 4. The report states she said, “he accused her of changing who she is on him,” leading to an argument that turned violent. She told deputies that she hid a gun belonging to Pleasant because she was afraid he would use it to shoot her.
He allegedly head-butted her in the face and bit her twice during the argument. The Escambia County Sheriff’s office said her eye was stitched closed due to an injury, and she received treatment at Jay Hospital for bite injuries to a finger and her wrist.
The victim later turned the gun over to the ECSO.
Pleasant remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning with set at $27,500.
Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing On I-10
July 26, 2021
A small plane made an emergency landing on I-10 near Milton Sunday evening after the pilot ran out of fuel.
Witnesses told the Florida Highway Patrol they observed the single engine plane circle around before landing on the interstate. Troopers arrived to find the plane safely on the shoulder of the roadway and the pilot unharmed.
“It’s not every day we respond to an airplane on the interstate,” said FHP Lt. Jason King.
The pilot made his own arrangement to have the plane removed from I-10.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board were notified of the emergency landing.
Photos courtesy Florida Highway Patrol for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Family Story Time Returns This Week To West Florida Libraries
July 26, 2021
Family story time has returned to the branches of the West Florida Public Libraries.
With exciting stories, songs and movement, the program is suggested for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers, but it is open to everyone.
The schedule is as follows:
- Century Branch Library at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 28
- Molino Branch Library at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 28
- Tryon Branch Library at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 29
- Pensacola Library at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 28
- Southwest Branch Library at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 27
Big Changes Upcoming To Ambulance, Medical Helicopter Coverage In Escambia, Alabama
July 26, 2021
Several big changes to ambulance and medical helicopter services are upcoming for Escambia County, Alabama.
The Escambia County (AL) Health Care Authority (ECHCA) has reached an agreement with MedStar to provide comprehensive 24/7 ground ambulance coverage for the greater Atmore market, replacing ASAP EMS.
MedStar currently provides ground ambulance services for the Flomaton area, but D.W. McMillan EMS will assume responsibility for providing ground ambulance service in the greater Flomaton area.
ECHCA has also contracted with MedStar to provide medical helicopter service to all of Escambia County, Alabama. MedStar’s Air Care 2 helicopter is currently based at Atmore Community Hospital.
As NorthEscambia.com reported Saturday, Air Care 2 from Atmore will also respond to North Escambia in Florida under a new “first call agreement” between the operator of ShandsCair and Escambia County, Florida.
Pictured: MedStar’s Air Care 2 from Atmore responds to a traffic crash in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Gradually Decline
July 26, 2021
Florida gas prices have gradually declined, falling a total of 4 cents during the past two weeks.
After reaching a 2021 high of $3.01 earlier this month, drivers are now paying an average price of $2.97 per gallon across Florida.
The average price per gallon was $3.01 in Escambia County, down a penny from a week ago. A low of $2.85 could be found in North Escambia Sunday night at station on Highway 29 in Cantonment. Two stations on East Nine Mile Road were at $2.79 per gallon.
“Gas prices may not move much this week, as futures prices finished slightly above a week ago,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Concerns about the Delta variant significantly impacted the crude oil market last week, causing oil prices to drop 8% on Monday. However, crude rebounded by the end of the week, on the belief that the spread would not significantly impact the recovery in global fuel demand.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Fourth Inning Sinks Wahoos In 11-3 Blowout Loss To The Biscuits
July 26, 2021
Montgomery scored six times in the bottom of the fourth and handed Pensacola an 11-3 loss on Sunday at Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium.
Leading 3-2, Justin Evans (L, 0-1) struggled in his Double-A debut for the Blue Wahoos. The righty walked the first two batters he faced before misplaying a sacrifice bunt attempt, which loaded the bases. After a strikeout of Michael Smith, Evans walked in two runs before surrendering a bases-loaded double to Jonathan Aranda to put Montgomery up 8-3. The Biscuits added three more in the bottom of the eighth, giving them 11 total runs on the night.
Will Stewart, who made his second start this series, allowed two runs in three innings before departing the game after only throwing 58 pitches. Those 58 pitches are the fewest he’s thrown in an outing since he threw 69 pitches against the Birmingham Barons on June 27th. It is unclear whether or not his departure was injury related.
Pensacola showed their moxie in the top of the fourth, when trailing 2-0 they scored three times to take the lead. After a lead-off double from JJ Bleday, Chris Chinea was hit by a Cristofer Ogando fastball. That set up J.D. Osborne, who crushed a no-doubter to deep left for his second homer of the series and his third of the year. Unfortunately for the Wahoos, the lead did not last long, as the Biscuits scored six times in the bottom of the frame.
Pensacola, having lost five of six to the Biscuits, will head home in preparation of a six-game set against the Mississippi Braves beginning Tuesday. Coincidentally, the M-Braves are fresh off a six-game sweep at the hands of the Biloxi Shuckers.