Pensacola Bay Bridge Barge Damage Worse Than First Thought
September 23, 2020
Barge damage to the Pensacola Bay Bridge during Hurricane Sally is worse that first thought, and there is no timetable yet for the repair.
“The department understands how critical this facility is to the community and is also working to develop the repair plan necessary to restore the bridge back to a condition that will last for decades to come. These efforts are being done as quickly, but thoroughly, as possible and the exact timeline for completion of repairs remains unknown at this time,” the Florida Department of Transportation said in a news release Tuesday.
A preliminary inspection found:
- About 30 spans were impacted from total collapse to minor damage.
- At least four bridge piers have rotated as a result of barge impact. That can result in an uneven level of stress on the span, potentially requiring additional repair work.
- At least one pier has suffered cracked pilings, which is the portion that extends underwater into the ground. FDOT continues to assess all piers to identify if any others
- have suffered cracks and will then determine a repair plan.
- No damage to arch section of the bridge deck has been detected at this time.
While FDOT’s inspection work can continue at other areas of the bridge, removing the contractor’s barges from the bridge is necessary for FDOT to complete its full inspection. FDOT is working with the contractor and has requested that the contractor provide a timeline for the removal of the barges.
FDOT has an increased amount of crew members out inspecting the bridge due to the circumstances, but the conditions (wind and water clarity) are not favorable. For reference, a full inspection of this bridge under normal and favorable conditions can take up to three weeks.
As inspection efforts continue, FDOT will concurrently work to reconstruct the spans that need to be replaced and complete repairs that must be done before re-opening the bridge to traffic. Minor repairs that can be done while the bridge is open will be addressed and prioritized accordingly.
The bridge closure is still anticipated to be for an extended period of time. A more specific estimate and impacts to the current construction schedule will be known once the full assessment and repair plan are determined. Once the situation is fully assessed, and damages are fully understood, appropriate parties will be held responsible for the repairs.
Motorists should continue to use all available detour routes, which include the Garcon Point Bridge and State Road 87. FDOT has suspended the tolls on the Garcon Point bridge for another 30 days due to the bridge damage. The toll suspension will continue until 6 a.m. Friday, October 23.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Chamber, Florida DEO Want To Hear About Hurricane Damage To Your Business
September 23, 2020
State and local leaders are asking local businesses to report their Hurricane Sally damage reports.
“We are still waiting for the major federal disaster declaration from Washington,” said Todd Thomson, president of the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce. “To help tell that story, we need some photos or videos of damage that you’ve suffered.”
Photos and videos, with a business location address, can be sent to news@pensacolachamber.com in order to help the are get that federal disaster declaration.
Newly appointed director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Dane Eagle assessed damage in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties on Tuesday. He said one of the important things businesses can do right now is document their damage and report it at floridadisaster.biz.
“That is going to be an opportunity for us to look at the community, see what kind of damage you sustained,” he said, adding that his office will then look at matching business needs with available resources.
“We’re encouraging all businesses to go on there, fill out the damage assessment survey, that’s going to give us an idea of how bad the damage is,” Eagle said. “We know it’s bad, but let’s get a good assessment of that.”
Eagle said Northwest Florida will recover.
“Floridians, we’ve been through a recession, we’ve been through countless hurricanes, we’ve been through oil spill, we’ve been through red tide. We are survivors. We’re going to fight, we’re going to do better.”
Pictured: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Director Dane Eagle during a press conference Tuesday in Escambia County. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hurricane Sally Damage Estimated At $183 Million To Public Property In Escambia County
September 23, 2020
Hurricane Sally caused nearly $183 million in damage to public property in Escambia County.
The latest estimate so far is $182.6 million to Escambia County, Escambia County School District, Emerald coast Utilities Authority and City of Pensacola property, according to Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley.
So far, FEMA has not declared a major disaster are in Escambia County, which would provide federal resources for governmental agencies and make financial assistance for individuals available.
Gilley said Tuesday that Jared Moskowitz, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, believes the major disaster declaration will be forthcoming soon.
“He did assure me that he feels extremely confident and us getting a major declaration this week,” she said.
Escambia Schools Addressing Problem Of Students With Little Or No Internet Service
September 22, 2020
As traditional students head back to class Wednesday in Escambia County, the school district is addressing the problem presented for students in areas that have limited or no internet service following Hurricane Sally.
“With over 50% of students being served through remote and/or virtual learning, it’s important that we continue to work with families to find appropriate methods to continue students’ learning and progress,” stated Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
On Wednesday, remote and virtual learning teachers will begin contacting parents and guardians to determine if students have an available and adequate internet access. Parents should anticipate a phone call from their students’ teachers to determine methods for delivering remote instruction.
For students without internet access, schools will work with families to determine an appropriate solution tol ensure instruction and learning can continue. Solutions may include providing a temporary mobile hotspot for the student until the internet is restored, or providing printed packets of learning materials for students where feasible.
Because teachers will spend the day contacting parents, the normal remote learning schedule will not occur on Wednesday.
Boil Water Notice Now Lifted For Kings Road Subdivision; Full System Wide Notice Was Lifted Monday
September 22, 2020
The boil water notice for the Kings Road Subdivision was lifted at 11 a.m. Tuesday by ECUA.
The system wide boil water notice was lifted on Monday.
ECUA collected 385 samples at 190 sites in 48 hours in order to make sure the water is safe to drink across their system.
For information on ECUA trash collection, click here.
The Kings Road Subdivision includes:
- Turnberry Rd.
- Donegal Dr.
- Kings Rd.
- Kinsale r.
- Linton Way
- St. Andrews Dr.
- Brampton Way
- Ashford Rd.
- Derry Dr.
- Glenmore Dr.
- Callan Way
- Templemore Dr.
- Galway St.
- Boxton Way
- Portree Way
Gulf Power Restores Power To Essentially All Customers; EREC Completes Restoration
September 22, 2020
Gulf Power has restore power to essentially all customers affected by Hurricane Sally, while Escambia River Electric Cooperative has completed their restoration efforts.
Sally made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane on September 16 near the Florida-Alabama state line – exactly 16 years after destructive Hurricane Ivan made landfall in the same location.
More than 285,000 customers, or nearly 63% of Gulf Power’s customers, experienced outages as Sally brought heavy rain and severe flooding, especially in the western Panhandle. For EREC, 95% of their members in northern and Santa Rosa counties lost power.
GULF POWER COMPANY
Gulf Power has safely restored service to essentially all of its customers who were affected by Hurricane Sally, completing restoration ahead of original estimates, the company said.
Gulf Power assembled a restoration workforce of 7,000 working primarily out of 12 staging sites to restore power for its customers safely and as quickly as possible – which was accomplished within 5 days after Sally left Gulf Power’s service area and it was safe to begin restoration work.
“I want to thank our community partners for their support in so many ways as we worked together to get our region back up and running,” said Marlene Santos, president of Gulf Power. “We know that getting the power back on is critical to beginning to restore normalcy for communities. I also want to thank our dedicated employees and the mutual assistance crews who worked around the clock to help us get our customers’ lights back on ahead of schedule – and most importantly, we completed this work safely.”
As Gulf Power winds down major restoration efforts, the company is closing some of its staging sites and releasing some of its restoration workforce. Among those providing mutual assistance was Gulf Power’s sister company, Florida Power & Light Company, which sent more than 1,800 employees and contractors in support. Gulf Power recently sent nearly 70 employees to South Florida when Hurricane Isaias was threatening the state.
“Mutual assistance is a hallmark of our industry. Just as Gulf Power has been happy to assist other utilities with restoration efforts, we appreciate the willingness of FPL and others to step up and help us serve our customers in their time of need,” Santos said.
Customers who still do not have power should first check their breakers. If this is not the issue, they should report the outage on the Gulf Power App, online at GulfPower.com or using the automated system at 1-800-GU-POWER (800-487-6937).
ESCAMBIA RIVER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Escambia River Electric Cooperative announced that as of about 5:45 p.m., every member that is is able to receive electricity has had their power restored.
EREC reported 95% of their members, 11,463 total customers, without power after Hurricane Sally across northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
“We thank our membership for their patience and tremendous show of support as our line crews worked to restore power as safely and quickly as possible. We thank our fellow cooperatives who sent their line crews to assist us in our time of need to rebuild our battered system. We are proud to be a part of the cooperative family,” EREC Vice President Sabrina Owens said.
Century Set To Increase Property Taxes To Meet Increased Budget
September 22, 2020
The Town of Century is raising taxes for the upcoming fiscal year in order to meet an increased budget.
The town is proposing a $4.14 million budget for the fiscal year 2020-2021, up from $3.63 million during the current fiscal year. The tentative millage rate of .9204 is about 5% greater than the rolled-back rate of .8759.
The rolled-back rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as approved for the prior year. A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by Florida law as a tax increase.
The tentative budget and tax rate were approved by a 4-0 vote Monday night. Council member Sandra McMurray-Jackson but was unable to mute her phone in the Zoom meeting in order to vote.
The budget and tax rate will be up for a final vote at 6:01 p.m. next Monday, September 28.
Escambia Schools Will Reopen On Wednesday; School Damage In The Millions
September 22, 2020
Escambia County schools will reopen on Wednesday as repairs by Hurricane Sally continue on Tuesday.
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said damage estimates are around $10 million – mostly downed trees, damage awnings and flooding.
“Most of our damage like so many in the community is the superficial type damage,” Thomas said. “Although we are making progress, there is still work we have to complete before we’re able to reopen our buildings to our students.”
Holm Elementary suffered the most damage with an entire wing of the school flooded. Students who had class in that building with be moved to neighboring Workman Middle School.
The district will provide physical workbooks or cellular hotspots to remote learners that still do not have internet. On campuses with viable athletic facilities and fields, high school athletic practices can resume as early as noon Tuesday.
Pictured: Damaged awnings and downed trees at Kingfield Elementary School as seen shortly after Hurricane Sally. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
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Residents Of Cantonment, Carver Park Or Molino Needing Tarps, Food Or Water Should Call Escambia County
September 22, 2020
Residents in Molino, Carver Park and Cantonment who need food, water or tarps can contact the Escambia County Citizen Information Line at (850) 471-6600 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m to put in a request.
Residents will be asked to provide their name, phone number and address to be contacted to schedule logistics while supplies last.
ECAT Service Resumes With Modified Regular Schedule
September 22, 2020
ECAT resumes a modified regular service schedule beginning Tuesday.
The following routes are temporarily suspended until further notice:
- Route 41, East Pensacola Heights
- Route 59A, NAS Pensacola, airport
- Route 59X, NAS Pensacola, downtown, Cordova Mall
- Route 61, Pensacola Beach
- Route 64, Beach Jumper
Buses may experience possible traffic delays due to detours and debris. Buses will run every two hours, with the final routes departing ECAT and downtown at 6 p.m. The same modified schedule will run on Saturdays.
Escambia County Community Transportation Paratransit services also resumes on Tuesday.
The UWF Trolley Service will resume service on Thursday, September 24 when the college reopens.