Escambia County's latest update (Pensacola, University: power lines, house, elementary school)

[sunrico90]

Here is the latest update from Escambia County officials:

 A Special Declaration of Emergency was signed by the Public Safety Director at 11 a.m.

 Public Safety officials believe that the tornado came ashore at the mouth of Bayou Chico moving north to Cordova Mall.

 Officials are relying on County and City Building officials to advise of damage.

 The Emergency Operations Center is currently at a Level-2 activation.

Damage

 Roof damage to a portable building has been confirmed at Hallmark Elementary School. All children had been moved to an interior location of the school – no injuries.

Damage has been confirmed in the following areas:

 Silver Shore Drive – cars and one house

“A” Street and Gadsden Drive – house damage

 100 block of E. Bobe Street – Tree went through the roof.

 Alcaniz and Hatton – house damage

 Marina at 3009 Barrancas Ave. – significant damage to boats.

 Office Depot on Bayou Boulevard – roof damage
 Greater Little Rock Baptist Church – corner of “A” and Strong streets – roof damage – no injuries.

Damage has been confirmed in the Ninth Avenue and Bayou Boulevard area:
 Minor damage at Cordova Mall – no injuries – Skylights were damaged; Belk’s wing is currently closed – major roof damage to Belks – no injuries; a camper attached to a vehicle in the parking lot overturned.

 More than 20 cars were damaged in the Target parking lot – no injuries

 Structural damage at Tijuana Flats
 Structural damage at Bahia Mar Marina – no injuries
 Fence is also down.
 Structural damage to a home at B & Jackson streets – four people transported to the hospital – all injuries appear to be minor.

Shelters

 A shelter opened at 2 p.m. at East Brent Baptist Church, 4801 N. Davis Highway coordinated by the Red Cross. Food will be provided for up to 1,000 people.
Please bring personal items for sleeping, hygiene, etc.
If there are transportation issues, please contact the Red Cross at 432-7601 or 432-6991.
Grief counselors will be available later today if needed.

Road Closings

 City is reporting no major road closings at this time.

 County is currently checking roads, but is not reporting any closures at this time.

Closings

 Pensacola Christian Academy’s noon bus route will not run today

 Parents are asked to pick up their kindergarten students when it is safe to do so.

 Determination about the 3:00 p.m. bus routes will be made at a later time.

 Pensacola Junior College

 Classes cancelled today and tonight at all Pensacola campuses. Classes will resume Friday.

University of West Florida

 Classes cancelled today and tonight – Students released from classes

 Faculty and staff may leave at their discretion.

 Pensacola Campus will remain open, but classes are cancelled. Classes will resume Friday.

Escambia County Schools
 All extra curricular and afternoon activities are cancelled, including adult classes.

Health Department

 Environmental Health Office is closed for today, due to power outage.

 Gulf Power reports power lines down in the following areas:

--Pensacola High School

-- Baptist Hospital

-- Bayshore Drive and Barrancas Avenue

-- 6,800 customers without power

-- three main feeders are out of service

-- Lines down in the Cervantes Street area, please use caution and stay away from downed lines.

Gulf Power is advising that it may take some time to restore power due to the weather. Please be patient.

The county's Citizen Information Line is currently open. The number is (850) 471-6600.