Five People Injured In Highway 95A Accident
March 29, 2009
Five people were injured in a two vehicle accident in Molino Saturday night.
The accident happened about 10:00 on Highway 95A just south of Meharg Road. The collision left a pickup truck on its side partially on Highway 95A and sent a Pontiac Grand Am off the roadway.
Two people in the pickup were injured, and there were three, including a juvenile, injured in the car. One person was transported to a Pensacola hospital by LifeFlight. The other four were transported to the hospital by ambulance.
Further details on the accident were not available; the accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Molino, McDavid, Century and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the call along with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department, Escambia County EMS and the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured above and below: Five people were injured in a two vehicle accident in Molino Saturday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bumpkin No More: Final Day For Century Business
March 29, 2009
Sunday was the final day of business for the Country Bumpkin in Century. The store, which first opened in 1991, closed to make way for a St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store that will open Wednesday. Pictured above: Country Bumpkin owner Terri Sanders prepares for her last day of business. She will manage the new thrift store when it opens. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Recap Of Storm Closures
March 29, 2009
Several area events were postponed or canceled due to Saturdays floods, including:
Cheerleader tryouts that were scheduled to be held at Ernest Ward Middle School were canceled due to the weather and closure of local roads. This event will be rescheduled in a few days and all participants will be informed.
Panhandle Equine Rescue’s ‘Ride for Rescue’ trail ride was canceled. The trail ride will be rescheduled for a later date.
The Charity Butler softball clinic at Molino BallPark that was to be held Saturday was rescheduled for April 11. Directed by Charity Butler, former pro softball player with the Michigan Ice. Defensive and hitting drills, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; pitching 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.. Sign up from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. $25 for one session, $35 for both. Ages 14 and under. More info? Contact Donnie Nicholson at (850) 207-0663 or charitynbutler.com
Saturday Storms Cause Flooding, House Fire And Road Closures (With Photo Gallery)
March 29, 2009
Up to 15 inches of rain across the Molino area led to major flooding early Saturday morning, causing problems that many long-time Molino residents have never seen.
“I’ve been working Molino for 14 years, and I’ve never seen it like this,” Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputy Ricky Barefield told NorthEscambia.com just after sunrise Saturday. He was stationed at Highway 29 and Highway 97, stopping traffic from passing through the flooded intersection. “I’ve never seen anything like this here,” he said.
That intersection and countless other roadways in the Molino, Cottage Hill and Cantonment areas were flooded by the torrential rainfall that fell in the pre-dawn hours. Numerous vehicles stalled as drivers attempted to drive through high water.
For several hours, it was impossible to drive to Pensacola from North Escambia. Highway 29, Highway 95A and Jacks Branch Road were all flooded. Eventually, as floodwaters receded, traffic was detoured along Highway 95A for a bumper to bumper trip from Molino to Cantonment.
By early Saturday evening, Highway 29 was once again open.
Several people had to be rescued from their flooded homes by emergency workers, including a family on Pinoak Lane just off Highway 29. County officials say about 20 homes were at least partially flooded.
The storms early Saturday morning also led to major power outages across the area. Officials say most of Molino and Century lost power, as did Walnut Hill and other areas. Portions of Molino were without power until Saturday afternoon. In many cases, power restoration was delayed by floodwaters that kept utility workers away from downed lines.
Lightning sparked house fire in the Molino area — twice. Firefighters were called to a home on Barth Lane early Saturday morning after a lightning strike sparked an attic fire. Firefighters returned to the home about sunrise after the home was hit by lightning again.
The American Red Cross opened a shelter at the Aldersgate Methodist Church Saturday afternoon. The shelter was closed Saturday night. The Red Cross also used a mobile kitchen to provide hot meals to those needing assistance. Anyone that needs Red Cross assistance or information can call 800-773-7620.
Click here for an exclusive NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from Saturday morning in Molino.
Pictured above: This home on Molino Road was flooded. Pictured inset: Flooding at Highway 97 and Highway 29 Saturday morning.
Pictured inset: The intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 this morning. The water had receded about one foot at the time of this photo. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Blog: North Escambia, Thank You For Being You
March 29, 2009
When we went to bed Friday night, we all knew it was going to rain. But little did we know that the Molino area would receive 12-15 inches of rain.
Residents that have lived in the area all of their lives tell NorthEscambia.com that they saw flooding in places like never before. When we drove to Molino Saturday morning, we knew there was flooding at 29 and 97, but it was much worse that we expected. Vehicles lost. Homes damaged or destroyed. Tired, wet and alone, people stood in awe at nature’s power.
Countless deputies, state troopers, department of transportation employees, volunteer firemen, ambulance workers and more from across the area worked to keep people safe and rescue the trapped during Saturday morning’s flooding. Volunteer firemen came from Molino, McDavid, Century, Walnut Hill, Cantonment, Ensley and beyond to provide aid. And let’s don’t forget the power company workers than struggled for hours to restore our power across the area.
And our neighbors. From the guy next door to the lady down the street, neighbors came to the aid of neighbors in our time of need. And, as always, the American Red Cross was there with a hot meal and a friendly smile. There were others, we are sure, that we missed mentioning.
Once again we found out why living in North Escambia is such a great thing.
To all of those we mentioned, , to all of those that prayed for prayer and protection, to all of those that prayed thankfully that no one was injured — there are just two simple words for all.
Thank you.
Major Problems: Homes Flooded, Roads Closed, Power Outages, House Fire (With Photo Gallery)
March 28, 2009
Up to 15 inches of rain overnight cause major problems in Molino and Cantonment.
At least two homes on Molino Road just east of Highway 29 were flooded. Firemen were called out to rescue several families in the Molino and Cantonment areas this morning from flooded homes, including a family on Pinoak Lane.
Overnight storms resulted in large scale power outages and flooding in and around North Escambia this morning. Lightning started a fire in a Molino home.
Click here for an exclusive NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from Molino this morning.
Rainfall totals, according to radar estimates, ranged from 15 inches near Molino to five inches in Century. The heavy rains led to several road closures. For details on road closures and flooding, click here.
A resident on Barth Lane reported that their house was hit by lightning before 6 Saturday morning. Fire units on scene reported a possible attic fire. There were no injuries.
Power outages were reported in Molino, Century, Walnut Hill and surrounding communities. Portions of Molino were without power until 1:00 this afternoon.
If you have storm damage or flooding reports or photos, email news@northescambia.com
Pictured above: This home on Molino Road was flooded. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, click to enlarge.
Red Cross Molino Shelter Closes
March 28, 2009
The America Red Cross has closed the shelter at Aldersgate Methodist Church in Molino Saturday night. A shelter remains open in Baker.
A shelter is open at the Milligan Assembly of God at 5408 Highway 4.
For more information on shelters in other locations, please contact the American Red Cross 800-773-7620.
Santa Rosa Storm Update, Road Closures
March 28, 2009
This is the latest update from the Santa Rosa County EMA Saturday night:
Rainfall totals for the event to date:
* Center of county-13 inches
* South of Milton- 5-6 inches
Rivers
* Based on a forecast model from the River Forecast Center, Blackwater River in Milton is expected to crest at 10.2 feet on Monday morning. At 5 p.m. today, the river was at approximately 4.5 feet.
* Flooding may impact an estimated 300 structures in low lying areas along Blackwater River in Santa Rosa County.
* Public safety officials are asking boaters to stay off the river until the water has receded to normal levels due to hazards caused by debris and possible additional damage to structures caused by wave action.
* Residents along Blackwater River should take any needed protective actions immediately. Even citizens living in elevated homes may need to evacuate as roads may be impassable due to flooding.
* Residents who plan to evacuate and need shelter are asked to call the Emergency Management Office at 983-5360.
* Blackwater at the Baker flood gauge expected to crest tomorrow morning near 20 feet, and expected to be back below flood stages by Tuesday. According to Mobile Weather Service Blackwater has not seen flooding of this magnitude since 1975 when it reached 19.45 feet.
* Coldwater is reported at 11.5 feet, flood stage is 11 feet.
* Staff will continue to monitor all local rivers.
Bridge Closures
The listed bridges and any other county maintained bridges that are flooded, should not be crossed until public works inspections have been completed, after the water recedes. Motorist should always avoid crossing flooded streets and should never attempt to cross flooded bridges.
Bridges are closed on:
* Springhill Road
* Deaton Bridge Road
* Red Rock Road
* Gordon Land Road
* Penton Road
* Walling Road
* Hamilton Bridge Road at the Pond Creek Bridge
* Amos Cabaniss Road
Road Closure/Impassable Roads
Many low lying areas of the county are flooded and are expected to remain flooded throughout the day today, and into the evening. Standing water creates a serious road hazard, even when only a portion of the roadway is flooded. Roads listed below are closed due to severe erosion.
* Smith Wixon Road- Road washed out but public works crews are repairing- should be open by 7 p.m.
* Sellersville Road- Culvert washed out
Emergency Crews had to assist the following due to flooding, no injuries reported
* One residence on Hwy. 197/Chumuckla
* One residence on Allentown Road
* A vehicle on Mittie Crain Road in Munson
* Vehicle on Wagner Bridge on Springhill Road
* 23 campers at Tomahawk Landing, first rescue by bus, now rescue boats are being used due to impassable roads
* 25 campers at Blackwater River State Park are unable to leave due to flooded roads and rescue crews are assisting as roads are impassible
* Campers on Big Cold Water Park on Horse Shoe Loop Road were evacuated.
* Sinking vehicle on Jimmy Lewis Road
No Emergency Assistance Needed
* Water has been reported in a home in the 9100 block of Byrom Campbell Road.
* One residence on Annie Penton Road left on their own due to rising water/water in their home.
Updated Road Closures
March 28, 2009
Drivers are still urged to use caution in North Escambia after Saturday’s floods.
Highway 29 in North Escambia has been reopened..
Caution should also be used at the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 29. There may still be mud on the road from the floods.
Authorities are encouraging people to stay home in North Escambia and avoid travel, especially in the Molino and Cantonment areas.
Pictured above: The intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 this morning. The water had receded about one foot at the time of this photo. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary School Librarian’s Home Hit By Possible Tornado
March 28, 2009
For years, Bratt Elementary School librarian Martha Jeter worried that one day a tornado would hit the school, but she never considered that her home might be destroyed by a storm.
In the pre-dawn hours Friday, her home was heavily damaged by a tornado or powerful straight line winds.
Martha, her husband Gerald and a step-nephew Joe Brown were in the Jeter’s home on Bell Creek Road near Chumuckla in Santa Rosa County when the possible tornado hit just before 5:00 Friday morning.
Gerald was already awake after hearing heavy rains on the small wood frame house’s tin roof, and because of frequent thunder and lightning. Martha was asleep in the back the house. She was oblivious to the weather outside because she was not wearing her hearing aids.
“He got us up and told us to go the hallway,” she said. “I headed toward the kitchen window to look out. Then there was what sounded like an explosion.” That sound was a tree limb crashing through the window of the home.
“The whole house shook,” Gerald said. The family gathered in the hallway, and in seconds it was over.
“We did not really know what had happened,” Martha said. “It was so dark. We knew there was water raining in the house, but it was daylight before we could get a good look at how bad it was.”
The family was uninjured. And what they found was not good.
The carport was gone. The roof on the utility room off the carport was gone. Much of the metal roof on their house was torn away, some hundreds of yards away in the trees. The roof that remained on the home had boards from the carport driven through it.
A large wooden board was pushed through the wall of their travel trailer, which had been spun around 90 degrees by the winds as it sat just outside their home. The roof on the travel trailer was rolled back.
The damage was so severe that Santa Rosa County condemned their house, declaring it unsafe to live in.
“They tell us that we can’t sleep here tonight,” Martha told NorthEscambia.com late Friday afternoon. The family had gathered at the house trying to salvage clothes and other items before darkness fell. “It’s hard to believe that it is all gone.”
“For years I would pray ‘Lord don’t ever let a tornado hit the school’,” Jeter said. She would say that prayer each time the children at Bratt Elementary huddled in the hallways for tornado drill. “I just never thought one would hit our house, take our house away.”
The Jeters had big plans for their little home next weekend. Their children were to be in town to help Martha and Gerald celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.
“But we won’t be having them here at this house now,” she said. “But we will still celebrate our anniversary. Forty years.”
The Jeters have lived on Bell Creek Road for almost 22 years. They are not sure if they will rebuild at this point. The family had insurance, but they also had other plans. Martha is just a year away from retirement, and they had thought about moving south to be closer to their kids.
For now, they will be staying with nearby relatives.
“I’m not sure what we will do next,” Martha said. “I am just thankful that we were not hurt, and that no one else was hurt. We were blessed.”
Click here for more NorthEscambia.com photos from the Jeter home in Chumuckla.
Pictured top: Martha and Gerald Jeter outside the remains of their Chumuckla home Friday afternoon. Pictured middle inset: A large piece of wood was driven into the side of a travel trailer just outside the home. Pictured below: The house was heavily damaged by a possible tornado. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
