As of 2:00 PM on Thursday, May 1, most City facilities are open, including City Hall. Normal operations have resumed at Pensacola International Airport and the Port of Pensacola.
The following City facilities will remain closed until further notice due to storm/flooding damage: Vickrey Resource Center, Roger Scott Tennis Center, Bayview Resource Center (Bayview Senior Citizen Center is open), Roger Scott Dog Park, and the Splash Pad water feature at Plaza de Luna.
The City of Pensacola participates in Escambia County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). In order to provide comprehensive and up to date information to our citizens, the EOC has activated a fully staffed Citizen Information Center, which citizens can reach at (850) 471-6600. For information specific to City of Pensacola services and facilities, city residents can dial 311.
United Way 211 (formerly First Call for Help) maintains up-to-date information on emergency food and shelter, services for families and senior citizens, health care, child care, services for people with disabilities, counseling and mental health services, and more. Those in need of assistance can call 211 or visit www.211nwfl.org.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) operates the 511 service to provide citizens with 24/7 traffic and safety updates for all of Florida’s interstate highways and other major roadways. To use this service, citizens can dial 511 or visit www.fl511.com.
For information relating to water or sewer service, citizens can visit the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) website at www.ecua.fl.gov or contact ECUA at (850) 476-0480. Questions related to power outages or electrical service should be directed to Gulf Power at www.gulfpower.com or 1-800-487-6937.
A revised mandatory boil water notice has been provided by ECUA. The following information is available at http://www.ecua.fl.gov/advisory. The scope of the previous issued Mandatory Boil Water Notice (MBWN) has been revised and narrowed to a smaller, more defined area. A Boil Water Area Map can be viewed at http://www.ecua.fl.gov/system/files/Boiled%20Water%20Area-March2014-24%20x%2036.pdf Effective immediately, the
MBWN applies to the following ONLY:
North Boundary: Interstate 10
West Boundary: Tippin/12th Ave.
East and South Boundary: Escambia & Pensacola Bays
Residents are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil, or to use 6 drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking of cooking purposes.
Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours. Precautionary Boil Water Notices are issued as a part of standard protocol following loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Once repairs are complete, ECUA crews will flush out the lines. Residents are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA customer service at 850-476-0480 for assistance, or see precautionary boil water notice guidelines on the ECUA website at www.ecua.fl.gov.
Pensacola Energy, the natural gas utility serving most of Escambia County is working around the clock to repair mains and restore services lost as a result of this week’s weather. Following is an update on service and repair:
Escambia County Central Booking and Detention Center – An explosion occurred at the facility at approximately 11 p.m., Wednesday night, apparently as a result of a natural gas leak. The explosion appears to have originated in the basement of the building. Pensacola Energy has verified that the gas main leading to the building is operating in a safe and effective manner. Pensacola Energy crews have shut off the gas service that supplied gas to the facility. The State Fire Marshall and investigators from ATF and PSC are investigating. Two fatalities and approximately 100 injuries have been reported. “Our hearts go out the families affected by this tragedyâ€, stated Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward.
Piedmont Drive – Natural gas mains developed leaks after the road gave way due to floodwaters. Pensacola Energy has secured the natural gas mains in the affected area. Six customers remain without service while further repairs are being made.
Scenic Highway – Damage on Scenic Highway has caused natural gas mains to be exposed. Pensacola Energy cautions the public to avoid those areas until they are secured. No customers lost service.
Crescent Lake-Damaged gas mains due to flooding have been made safe. Only those damaged homes that are not habitable are without gas service. All other customers are being served.
Bristol Park/Asbury-All mains are activated and all customers who requested service are being served.
Many areas scattered across the county have significant washouts in which natural gas mains and other utilities are exposed. The public should avoid these areas for their own safety and to prevent further damage.
Pensacola Energy reminds everyone to please report suspected natural gas leaks immediately by calling 850-474-5300, so they can be investigated. This is a 24 hour response service.
The City of Pensacola Sanitation Department will continue with normally scheduled garbage, recycling, and trash collection for tomorrow, Friday, May 2nd for areas that are able to be reached safely by garbage truck.
For the residents of Piedmont Road, Tronjo Road, Aiken Street, and Scenic Highway whose garbage is unable to be picked up due to road washout or closure, there will be a special garbage pick-up for these areas this Saturday, May 3rd.
Special garbage pick-up will begin at 7 am Saturday morning. City Sanitation is asking all residents of this area place their garbage cans and debris at the nearest street where a garbage truck can reach safely.
If you are in another area and are in need of special debris pick-up by City Sanitation, please contact the City Sanitation Department at (850) 435-1890.