Historic Flood: Many Homeless, Damage in The Millions; More Rain Likely
June 10, 2012
Heavy rain Saturday in southern Escambia County left an unknown number of people homeless, forced over 100 people into shelters, and caused untold millions of dollars in damages.
A Red Cross shelter at Ferry Pass Middle School reached capacity Saturday night at 82 people as shelters were opened at Tate High and Molino Park Elementary schools. Just before midnight, there were 30 people reported to be at the Tate High shelter and three at Molino Park. All shelters have now closed, except for Ferry Pass.
A record 13.11 inches of rain fell at the Pensacola airport, while portions of the southwestern county received over 20 inches according to radar estimates.
Flooding let to multiple water rescues as first responders pulled people from flood cars and residences. The Escambia County Jail flooded, leaving the facility without power [read more].
For a photo gallery, click here.
Damage totals to public and private property is expected to be well into the millions of dollars. If the water recedes on Sunday, damage assessment teams will begin inspecting flooding areas.
“I’ve lived here a long time and never seen anything like this before,” Cam Johnson, an Escambia County public information officer, said. “There were roads and areas flooded that I’ve never seen flood before.”
The National Weather Service is forecasting more rain though Sunday, with as much as 5-8 additional inches possible in Escambia County.
Emergency officials have asked Escambia County residents to stay home and not travel; many roads remain flooded and impassable.
Pictured: Reader submitted photos of flood in Escambia County on Saturday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Record Report: Saturday Rain Was Second Highest Ever In Pensacola
June 10, 2012
The second highest official rainfall total ever was recorded Saturday in Pensacola at 13.11 inches.
That also set a daily record for June 9, breaking the old record of 1.95 set in 1913.
Pensacola’s all-time record daily rainfall was 15.29 inches set in 1934.
Several areas of southwestern Escambia County received even more rain; rainfall estimates were over 20 inches in some areas.
Pictured: This graphic from the National Weather Service shows rainfall amounts in southern Escambia County. Click to enlarge.
After A Flood: The First Steps
June 10, 2012
Here are tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for those with flood damage or in flooded areas:
- Use local alerts and warning systems to get information and expert informed advice as soon as available.
- Avoid moving water.
- Stay away from damaged areas unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organization.
- Emergency workers will be assisting people in flooded areas. You can help them by staying off the roads and out of the way.
- Play it safe. Additional flooding or flash floods can occur. Listen for local warnings and information. If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, get out immediately and climb to higher ground.
- Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
- Roads may still be closed because they have been damaged or are covered by water. Barricades have been placed for your protection. If you come upon a barricade or a flooded road, go another way.
- If you must walk or drive in areas that have been flooded.
- Stay on firm ground. Moving water only 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
- Flooding may have caused familiar places to change. Floodwaters often erode roads and walkways. Flood debris may hide animals and broken bottles, and it’s also slippery. Avoid walking or driving through it.
- Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
- Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
- Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
Staying Healthy
A flood can cause physical hazards and emotional stress. You need to look after yourself and your family as you focus on cleanup and repair.
- Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage.
- Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewer systems are serious health hazards.
- Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink
- Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwaters can contain sewage and chemicals.
- Rest often and eat well.
- Keep a manageable schedule. Make a list and do jobs one at a time.
- Discuss your concerns with others and seek help. Contact Red Cross for information on emotional support available in your area.
Cleaning Up and Repairing Your Home
- Turn off the electricity at the main breaker or fuse box, even if the power is off in your community. That way, you can decide when your home is dry enough to turn it back on.
- Download a copy of the book Repairing Your Flooded Home. It will tell you:
- How to enter your home safely.
- How to protect your home and belongings from further damage.
- How to record damage to support insurance claims and requests for assistance.
- How to check for gas or water leaks and how to have service restored.
- How to clean up appliances, furniture, floors and other belongs.
- The Red Cross can provide you with a cleanup kit: mop, broom, bucket, and cleaning supplies.
- Contact your insurance agent to discuss claims.
- Check NorthEscambia.com or other media for information in the coming days on assistance that may be provided by the state or federal government or other organizations.
- If you hire cleanup or repair contractors, check references and be sure they are qualified to do the job. Be wary of people who drive through neighborhoods offering help in cleaning up or repairing your home.
Blue Wahoos Win Third Straight
June 10, 2012
Blue Wahoos pitchers allowed just one unearned run in Pensacola’s 3-1 win over the Birmingham Barons on Saturday night at Regions Park in Hoover, Al. The win is the Blue Wahoos’ third straight win over the Barons and their fifth win in their last six games.
Pensacola did all of their damage in the top of the first. Ryan LaMarre led off the game with a solid single before Didi Gregorius doubled down the right field line which plated LaMarre all the way from first base. Gregorius came home later in the inning on a double by Josh Fellhauer. He later scored on a groundout by Yordanys Perez. After the Blue Wahoos claimed a 3-0 lead, the pitching took over.
Kyle Lotzkar went five innings in the start for Pensacola. The only run he allowed was Tyler Saladino after he reached on an error in the bottom of the second. Erik Morrison singled home Saladino for the Barons only run of the game, which was unearned. Lotzkar only allowed one more hit over his final three innings as he earned his third win of the season.
The bullpen took over in the sixth and allowed just two singles over the final four frames. Wilkin De La Rosa worked two scoreless innings allowing just one single. Curtis Partch came in to earn the save by working a pair of scoreless innings. He struck out two over his two innings. The save was his first of the season.
Birmingham starter Nester Molina didn’t allow more than one baserunner in an inning after the second. He was charged with all three first-inning Blue Wahoos runs in his fifth loss of the season.
The Blue Wahoos have already secured their first series win since beating Jacksonville three-out-of-five May 17-21 in Jacksonville. Pensacola improves to 6-2 against the Barons this season.
Pensacola will look for their fourth straight win on Sunday afternoon. The Blue Wahoos will send right-hander J.C. Sulbaran (4-4, 4.40) to the mound against Birmingham righty Brandon Kloess (2-2, 1.91). This will be the first start of the season for Kloess and the just the third of his career. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m.
Gallery: Dozens Of Reader Submitted Flood Photos
June 10, 2012
NorthEscambia.com readers and Facebook fans sent us dozens of flooding photos from across Escambia County Saturday.
To view a photo gallery of reader submitted photos, click here.
Do you have flood pictures to share? Email them to news@northescambia.com or visit our Facebook page and become a fan.
Pictured top: A flooded apartment complex in southwestern Escambia County. Pictured below: Walmart on Navy Boulevard. Reader photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rain Delays 8U Tourney At NWE; Games Monday
June 10, 2012
Saturday’s game was rained out in the 2012 8U Machine Pitch District Baseball Tournament at the Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park.
Atmore defeated Northwest Escambia 14-2 Friday night in game one. The tournament will continue Monday and Tuesday between Atmore, Tri-County and NWE.
The revised game schedule is as follows:
Monday
5:30 p.m. — Tri-County vs. Atmore
7:30 p.m. — Loser of the 5:30 game vs. NWE
Tuesday
5:30 p.m. — Teams TBA
7:30 p.m. — (if needed) Teams TBA
Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for ages 6-18, and free for children under 5.
Blue Wahoos All-Star Closer Advances To Triple-A Louisville
June 10, 2012
Blue Wahoos closer Donnie Joseph, who was recently named to the Southern League All-Star Team, has been promoted to Triple-A Louisville. Joseph leaves Double-A tied for the league lead in saves with 13, also good for tops among the entire Cincinnati Reds organization. Joseph was named the Reds Minor League Pitcher of the Month for May just prior to getting named an all-star.
In 25 relief appearances for the Fish, Joseph owned a 4-2 record and a dazzling 0.93 ERA (3 ER in 29.0 IP).
“Donnie moving up to Triple-A, I think, is certainly well deserved and probably overdue,” said Blue Wahoos manager Jim Riggleman. “It was very generous of the Reds to keep him in Pensacola for as long as he was here. He did a great job. I think the key is he threw strikes. His slider speaks for itself, nobody really hit his slider. I didn’t see him last year, but looking at the walk totals, it appears that he threw more strikes this year to go along with his great slider, and he’s ready for the next step.”
To fill the spot on the roster, RHP Mark Serrano has been activated from the disabled list.
Pictured: Wahoos’ closer Donnie Joseph has been promoted to Triple-A Louisville. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Free Hunter Safety Course Offered In Escambia County
June 10, 2012
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering a free hunter safety course in Escambia County.
The course will be held at W.J. Woodham Middle School at 150 East Burgess Road in Pensacola. Instruction will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on June 12, 14, 19 and 21. The range portion of the class will be June 23 from 7-10 a.m.
An adult must accompany children under the age of 16 at all times. Students are encouraged to bring a pencil and paper with them to take notes.
The hunter safety course is required for people born on or after June 1, 1975, to purchase a Florida hunting license. The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
People interested in attending this course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at (850) 265-3676. For more information on this course, call George Warthen at (850) 265-3676.
And The Race Is On – Final List Of Candidate For 2012
June 9, 2012
The races are set for the 2012 General Election in Escambia County.
Noon Friday was the qualification deadline. With no opposition, several candidates will automatically be reelected. They are: David Stafford as supervisor of elections; Patty Hightower, school board District 4; Bill Slayton, school board District 5; Norman Jeffrey DeWeese, Anne B. Bennett and Stephen M. Jones to the Escambia Soil and Water Conservation District; P.C. Wu to the Pensacola City Council; and Thomas Campanella to the Santa Rosa Island Authority.
One prefiled District 5 Escambia County Commission candidate is now out of that race; Dennis H.E. Wiggins (NPA) of Century withdrew from the race. That left a field of five Republicans in the primary — Sam Archer, Glenn Austin, Steven Barry, Pat Burkett, and Jim A. Taylor. They will face off winner takes all style in the Republican Primary, with the top candidate headed to the General Election to face Packy Mitchell (NPA).
In the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office race, the addition of Mindy Lynn Pare as a write-in candidate will force a closed Republican Primary between incumbent David Morgan and challenger John Powell.
Here is the final is of candidates in other races for 2012 General Election in Escambia County:
Clerk of the Circuit Court
- Pam Childers, Rep.
- Ernie Lee Magaha, Rep.
- Henry John Misiak, Write-In
Sheriff
- David Morgan, Rep.
- John R. Powell, Rep.
- Mindy Lynn Pare, Write-in
Property Appraiser
- Charles M. Green IV, Rep.
- Chris Jones, Dem.
Tax Collector
- Mike Whitehead, Rep.
- Janet Holley, Dem.
Superintendent of Schools
- Malcolm Thomas, Rep.
- Claudia Brown-Curry, Dem.
Supervisor of Elections
- David Stafford, Rep.
County Commissioner, Dist 1
- Jesse Casey, Rep.
- Wilson Robertson, Rep.
- Bobby Spencer, NPA
County Commissioner, Dist 3
- Tiffany Washington, Rep.
- Lumon May, Dem.
- Clinton Earl Powell Sr., Dem.
- Annie Thomas Walker, Dem.
- John R. Johnson, NPA
- Hugh G. King, Sr., NPA
- Derek L. Stromas, Write-in
County Commissioner, Dist 5
- Sam Archer, Rep.
- Glenn Austin, Rep.
- Steven Barry, Rep.
- Pat Burkett, Rep.
- Jim A. Taylor, Rep.
- Packy Mitchell, NPA
School Board, Dist 4
- Patty Hightower (Nonpartisan)
School Board, Dist 5
- Bill Slayton (Nonpartisan)
ECUA, Dist 1
- Vicki H. Campbell, Rep.
- Logan Fink, Rep.
- Tom Brame, NPA
- Elizabeth Susan Campbell, NPA
- JImaes Michael Kirland, NPA
ECUA, Dist 3
- Calvin Avant, Dem.
- Benell English, Dem.
- Elvin McCorvey, Dem.
- Clorissti Mitchell, Dem.
ECUA, Dist 5
- Barry B. Tweedie, Rep.
- Larry Walker, Rep.
- Charlou Williams, Rep.
Escambia Soil and Water Conservation District Group 2
- Norman Jeffrey DeWeese (Nonpartisan)
Escambia Soil and Water Conservation District Group 3
- Anne B. Bennett (Nonpartisan)
Escambia Soil and Water Conservation District Group 5
- Stephen M. Jones (Nonpartisan)
State Senator District 2
- Greg Evers, Rep.
- Joshua W. Hartigan, Write-in
State Representative, District 1
- Clay Ingram, Rep.
- Gloria Ann Wiggins, Dem.
State Representative, District 2
- Jeremy M. Bosso, Rep.
- C.V. (Clay) Ford, Rep.
City Council, At-Large B
- Charles L. Bare (Nonpartisan)
- Victor Cross (Nonpartisan)
- Sam Hall (Nonpartisan)
City Council, District 1
- P.C. Wu (Nonpartisan)
City Council, Dist 3
- Maren Laycock DeWeese (Nonpartisan)
- Andy Terhaar (Nonpartisan)
City Council, District 5
- John Jerralds (Nonpartisan)
- Gerald C. Wingate (Nonpartisan)
City Council, District 7
- Jewel Cannada-Wynn (Nonpartisan)
- Robbie Andrews (Nonpartisan)
- Jimmie Perkins (Nonpartisan)
Santa Rosa Island Authority
- Thomas Campanella (Nonpartisan)
Man Facing Attempted Murder Charges After Car Burglary Spree
June 9, 2012
A suspected car burglar is facing attempted murder charges after he allegedly opened fire on people that caught him in the act of breaking into cars in one Escambia County neighborhood.
Jeremiah J. Jones, 18, was charged with three counts of attempted felony murder, about a dozen burglary charges, two counts of possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, criminal mischief, five counts of armed burglary, grand theft of a firearm, felony possession of marijuana and six counts of discharging a firearm. He was being held in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $917,750.
Deputies believe Jones was involved in more than 15 vehicle burglaries. During one of the many incidents in the Bellview community early Friday morning, residents heard noises and went outside with flashlights to confront Jones. Jones then fired several shots at the victims before running off, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“Deputies saturated the area when another call of a burglary in progresses was received,” said Deputy Matt Baxter, “Jones was then taken into custody without further incident. At the time of arrest Jones was still in possession of the firearm.”
Investigators do not believe that Jones is involved in numerous vehicle burglaries reported earlier in the week.
More charges are pending the vehicle burglary cases, Baxter said.