Pensacola Storm Recovery:
Pensacola has reported no deaths or serious injuries tied to the hurricane within the city limits, Mayor D.C. Reeves said Wednesday morning during a press conference at the City of Pensacola Public Works and Engineering Field Services Center on North Palafox Street.
Reeves credited city crews and residents who heeded evacuation warnings for zones A and B and stocked water and supplies.
“We can’t decide what trees are going to fall and where they’re going to fall, but we can certainly try to make sure our citizens are prepared.”
- The mayor warned that significant public safety concerns remain as the city shifts from storm response to recovery.
Damage Reports Top $70 Million
More than $70 million in personal property damage had been reported inside the city as of close of business Tuesday, Reeves said. He expects that number to climb as damage assessment teams continue their work.
Asked whether the figure overlaps with the $64 million in public damage released by Escambia County, Reeves said he would get clarity so the numbers are not double counted. Reeves said the $70 million figure covers the city only.
- FEMA reps are in town and will be in the field Wednesday.
- Both U.S. senators have visited, along with Congressman Byron Donalds and Congressman Jimmy Patronis.
- Direct contact has been made with FEMA about Pensacola, according to Reeves.
- Threshold worry? Not really. The mayor said he does not expect trouble meeting the federal disaster threshold and that tree damage alone should surpass what the city saw with Hurricane Sally.
Report your damage: Residents and businesses should file through the Escambia County Citizen Damage Report at myescambia.com by selecting the green “report storm damage” button. Reeves stressed this is not the same as applying for FEMA aid. The reports help the community meet the FEMA designation needed to unlock disaster assistance.
Debris and Garbage Pickup
Debris: The city’s storm debris contractor, DNJ, had 40 trucks in the field Wednesday. Bucket trucks will join the fleet starting Monday to remove hanging or leaning trees deemed hazards. Vegetative debris is being stored at lay down areas on Goya Drive and Roger Scott, and a third site may be added.
- No timeline yet: Asked about the county’s estimate of about a month to collect its debris, Reeves said he does not have a city timeline and wants the contractor to assess the first few days before committing. “This will not be done this week,” he said.
Yes, the city will make more than one pass. If your first pile gets picked up and more remains, crews will be back.
Sorting matters: Residents should keep vegetative debris and construction debris in separate piles because they go to different places, and should not bag storm debris.
Garbage: Sanitation crews are working Monday and Tuesday routes on Wednesday, normally an off day, and are about half a day behind. Reeves said residents with uncollected cans should put them out, adding that he does not think anyone will be cited for putting a can out a day early. Normal schedules should resume, and piles need to be kept clear enough for trucks to reach the can.
Trees: Crews are focused on clearing roadways, with help from the National Guard on cut-and-toss work. They will not enter private property to remove trees that fell in yards. Residents can call 311 to make sure a blocked road is on the city’s log, or email arborist@cityofpensacola.com with tree concerns. The city is also closely monitoring pruning at the 12th Avenue tree tunnel, where many in-town and out-of-town contractors are working.
Public Safety Warnings
The Pensacola Fire Department answered 53 calls between 8 a.m. Monday and 8 a.m. Tuesday, including three house fires and carbon monoxide incidents tied to generators. Since Friday, the department has responded to 18 carbon monoxide calls.
- Treat dark intersections as four-way stops. Some traffic lights are still out.
- Ventilate generators. Reeves urged residents to follow the generator placement rule Chief Craner has described.
- Stay away from downed power lines. As power returns, lines can arc.
- Watch your clearance at Graffiti Bridge. The city is adding temporary height restriction signs north and south of the bridge after one incident involving a truck driven by someone unfamiliar with the clearance.
Parks and Community Centers
No city parks have been officially reopened. Crews are inspecting playgrounds and amenities, and Reeves asked residents to stay out of parks and playgrounds until further notice.
- Sanders Beach Center: Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., no evening programs.
- Woodland Heights Center: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Vickery Center: Reopening Wednesday for YMCA activities only.
- Cobb Center: Closed because of power issues, but grab-and-go senior meals continue outside in the pavilion for the rest of the week.
- Bayview Park and Senior Center: Cleared for use after power returned, but not yet staffed. Reeves expects it to open Wednesday or Thursday.
- Gull Point Center: Closed for the foreseeable future because of major roof damage. The city owes parents an update on where out-of-school-time kids will go and is working with community partners.
- East Pensacola Heights Center: Closed because of roof damage.
- Theophalis May Center: Power is back and staff are prepping the building. An update is expected later Wednesday.
- Osceola Golf Course: About two weeks from reopening because of roof damage to the clubhouse. Reeves expects tree damage on the golf course as well.
City Facilities and Construction Projects
Reeves said none of the major city facilities sustained significant damage. Gull Point Community Center is the largest single loss, followed by the roof at East Pensacola Heights. Employees returned to City Hall Tuesday, and limited services are available to the public starting Wednesday.
Baptist Legacy Campus: North Star secured the site before the storm. Trees fell near construction trailers but have been cleared, and all protected trees on the site remain intact. Some protective barriers need to be replaced, and parts of the perimeter fence and stormwater protection were damaged. North Star is targeting the end of the week to resume work. The monthly Baptist town hall, planned for Thursday, will be rescheduled.
Fricker Center: Several pallets of new roofing material were displaced despite being secured, with some moving more than six feet. The exposed roof section sustained damage, and two roof trusses appear to have collapsed. A beam near the old entrance needs inspection. Reeves said further structural review could mean corrective work, minor plan revisions, added costs and schedule impact. Facilities is working with Green Simmons, QSC and the structural engineering team, and QSC will report back on corrective actions and schedule impact.
The Crew Behind the Cleanup
Reeves spent the opening of the press conference praising the employees who worked the storm. He singled out a 14-member public works team that reported to the Field Services Center at 12:30 p.m. Friday, and most stayed until 2 p.m. Saturday, a stretch of 26 straight hours. Around 10 p.m. Friday, they went out in five crews to get a jump on clearing critical roadways.
The members of that overnight “alpha crew” were Public Works Director Amy Tootle, Terry Bergen, Steven Hauser, Charley Combs, Derek George, Matt Edge, Mose Franklin, Robert Carter, Antonio Jackson, Denerio Black, Marcus Coleman, Daniel Moak, Wendy Gavin and Tony McCreary.
Reeves said the storm touched every city department, including police, fire, parks and recreation, IT, facilities, and permitting, and noted crews were working without power or internet at times.