tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79290022024-02-08T09:49:57.576-05:00Pensacola Beach TimesCasual postings about Pensacola Beach, FL. USAUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1138984507224328572006-02-03T13:10:00.000-05:002006-10-19T14:38:11.310-04:00Lee's Contract With SRIA RenewedBuck Lee, general manager of the Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA), had his contract unanimously approved Wednesday. This will extend his contract for at least another year with the SRIA.<br /><br />His current contract was set to expire in May 2006.<br /><br />Lee received praise for his work in dealing with the aftermath of several hurricanes that struck the area. Buck Lee also received another vote of confidence from the SRIA, in the form of a pay raise of 5%. Lynette Wilson, of The Pensacola News Journal reported Thursday that Lee's current salary is $82,628 plus benefits, which includes $700 a month for travel expenses.<br /><br />Buck Lee assumed his current role with the SRIA after General Manager Monte Blews retired in May 2005.<br /><br />Here are previous post from the Pensacola Beach Times weblog that mention Buck Lee:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://pensacolabeachtimes.blogspot.com/2005/07/general-mgr-of-pensacola-beach-gets.html">http://pensacolabeachtimes.blogspot.com/2005/07/general-mgr-of-pensacola-beach-gets.html</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://pensacolabeachtimes.blogspot.com/2005/07/pensacola-beach-general-mgr-talks.html">http://pensacolabeachtimes.blogspot.com/2005/07/pensacola-beach-general-mgr-talks.html</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://pensacolabeachtimes.blogspot.com/2005/07/bob-sikes-bridge-is-open-for-residents.html">http://pensacolabeachtimes.blogspot.com/2005/07/bob-sikes-bridge-is-open-for-residents.html</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://pensacolabeachtimes.blogspot.com/2005/07/pensacola-beach-to-open-to-general.html">http://pensacolabeachtimes.blogspot.com/2005/07/pensacola-beach-to-open-to-general.html</a><br /><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1135443601859251032005-12-24T12:35:00.000-05:002006-10-19T14:38:11.252-04:00Wishing You All A Merry Christmas<center><img src="http://static.flickr.com/39/76900035_d2495a6747_o.jpg" alt="U.S. Capital Christmas Tree" height="240" width="169" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree 2005<br />Washington, D.C. (</span><span style="font-size:78%;">AFP/Tim Sloan)</span></center><br />I wanted to take the time to wish each of my blog readers a Merry Christmas! Each of you are appreciated very much and I would like to thank you for taking the time to stop by and reading the Pensacola Beach Times weblog.<br /><br />2005 has been a tough year for a lot of people. Keep your head up and look forward to what the future brings.<br /><br />I hope each of you have a very Merry Christmas and a safe holiday.<br /><br />BloglerUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1135100745728611872005-12-20T17:06:00.000-05:002006-10-19T14:38:11.189-04:00County Road 399 Unlikely To Open Until Late 2006<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29861046@N00/75685985/" title="Road leading to Pensacola Beach FL. from Navarre Beach"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/37/75685985_dcd5ff8174_b.jpg" alt="County Road 399 towards Navarre Beach, FL." height="250" width="325" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><left><span style="font-size:78%;"> Photo courtesy of NOAA</span> </left></span><br /><br />The road leading to Pensacola Beach from Navarre Beach, County Road 399 seen above, will probably not be repaired until late 2006. The same could happen to Ft. Pickens Road, as the repairs for it are currently under the same schedule.<br /><br />The Superintendent of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Jerry Eubanks has stated that road design is expected to be completed by March 2006. After that repairs could take nearly eight months to be completed.<br /><br />Estimated cost of repairing both Ft. Pickens Road and County Road 399 could possibly be upwards of an estimated $27 million.<br /><br />Let's hope that the roads are opened sooner than is planned. Currently the only way to get to the Ft. Pickens area is by boat. Then again you could take a "day hike" by foot, like some of the more adventurous people in Pensacola Beach have :).<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1133540416826680082005-12-02T12:43:00.000-05:002006-10-19T14:38:11.131-04:00Saucer Shaped Home On Pensacola Beach To Be A Museum<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3230/513/1600/dome%20home%20pensacola%20beach.0.jpg" title="Saucer shaped home on Pensacola Beach, FL. Click for a larger picture."><img style="display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3230/513/320/dome%20home%20pensacola%20beach.0.jpg" alt="Photo of a saucer shaped home at Pensacola Beach" border="0" /></a><small>Photo courtesy of " <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liz/">mamamusings</a>", a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Flick</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">r</span></a> member.</small><br /><br />Looks like the spaceship like home, a fixture on Pensacola Beach, won't be going anywhere anytime soon.<br /><br />The saucer shaped house is slated to become the home of the newly organized Pensacola Beach Preservation and Historic Society. The unusual home, which has suffered hurricane damage, will undergo repairs and is expected to open sometime around Easter.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.futuro-house.net/index.html">Futuro home</a>, located at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1304+Panferio+Drive,+Pensacola+Beach,+FL.&iwloc=A&hl=en">1304 Panferio Drive</a> in Pensacola Beach, is one of only 20 worldwide. It is expected to be open to members by reservation only.<br /><br />Lynette Wilson of the <a href="http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/">PensacolaNewsJournal.com</a> has written an <a href="http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051202/NEWS01/512020342/1006">excellent article on the unique home</a>, which has been a Pensacola Beach icon for over 30 years.<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1133373584223084502005-11-30T14:10:00.000-05:002006-10-19T14:38:10.941-04:00Today Marks The End Of Hurricane Season<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3230/513/320/Katrina_8-29-2005_1215Z.jpg" title="Hurricane Katrina 8-29-2005 at 1215Z. Photo courtesy of NOAA."><left><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3230/513/320/Katrina_8-29-2005_1215Z.jpg" alt="Katrina_8-29-2005_1215Z" height="262" width="300" /></left></a><br /><small>Hurricane Katrina 8-29-2005 at 1215Z. Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.nnvl.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/index.cgi?page=products&category=Year%202005%20Storm%20Events&event=Hurricane%20Katrina">NOAA</a>.</small><br /><br />Today officially ends the six month long hurricane season. And quite a season it has been.<br /><br />With a record number of named storms at 26 and 13 hurricanes, this hurricane season has been a <span class="body">costly one.<br /><br />There have been seven major hurricanes this season, and of those hurricanes Katrina was the costliest, with reconstruction cost estimated to be around 200 billion dollars.<br /><br />I'm sure no one in Pensacola Beach will forget what damage Hurricane Dennis did to the area when it made landfall on July 10, 2005. (For those interested, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Dennis">complete history of Dennis can be found at the excellent Wikipedia site</a>).<br /><br />Some fear next hurricane season could be just as bad as the 2005</span> season was. Seems these things run in cycles. Let's hope the cycle has finally come to an end.<span class="body"></span><br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1132957851902450692005-11-25T17:06:00.000-05:002006-10-19T14:38:10.874-04:00Thanksgiving: Just Another Day At The Beach<img src="http://static.flickr.com/1/2360820_175d6c401e.jpg" width="410" height="285" alt="Pensacola Beach June 2004" /><br /><small>Note: Looking West towards Ft. Pickens area 6/20/2004. Photo by Blogler.</small><br /><br />Would you go to the beach on Thanksgiving? Nicholas Kilrain, a visitor from Indiana did. Kilrain dunked himself into the Gulf of Mexico, afterwards saying "that's what you do".<br /><br />Read the <a href="http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051125/NEWS01/511250330/1006">story by Nicole Lozare</a> of the <a href="http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com">PensacolaNewsJournal.com</a>.<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1132858551006598072005-11-24T20:17:00.000-05:002006-10-19T14:38:10.670-04:00Happy Thanksgiving!<center><img src="http://static.flickr.com/31/66319280_20892be5e5.jpg?v=0" alt="Happy Thanksgiving" height="262" width="300" /><br /><small> Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/red_clover/">"red clover" on Flickr</a> </small> </center><br /><br />Just wanted to wish each and every one of my valued readers a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Happy Thanksgiving</span>. I hope your turkey day is a good one and many thanks for reading the Pensacola Beach Times!<br /><br />Special thanks goes out to "red clover", a member of Flickr.com, for permission to use her original image.<br /><br />Again, thanks to all of my readers. Without you there would be no Pensacola Beach Times. Thanks for stopping by!<br /><br />Blogler<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1132880362054862062005-11-24T20:06:00.000-05:002006-10-19T14:38:10.741-04:00I updated the "Ft. Pickens Update" postToday I updated the weblog post titled "Ft. Pickens Update" (posted July 16, 2005) that includes a link to the NOAA satellite images of Pensacola Beach. Look at the bottom of the post for an update about browser compatibility.<br /><br />The images by NOAA were taken days after Hurricane Dennis made landfall. The images are fairly high resolution.<br /><br />Earlier versions of the Firefox browser would not work with the NOAA satellite images. I know <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Firefox 1.5 </span>works with these images because I just tried it. Updated post has a link to a page where you can download it if you like. Just look for the <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"Download Firefox"</span> link after clicking the <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"Get Firefox"</span> button from this site.<br /><br />Below is a link to the post "Ft. Pickens Update" (posted July 16, 2005) for your convenience. :)<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://pensacolabeachtimes.blogspot.com/2005/07/ft-pickens-update.html">http://pensacolabeachtimes.blogspot.com/2005/07/ft-pickens-update.html</a><br /><br />BloglerUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1131646472997441142005-11-10T17:45:00.000-05:002006-10-19T14:38:09.609-04:00SRIA Ignores Locals Concerns About High Density DevelopmentAh the memories. Pensacola Beach, a comfortable and quiet place to live or visit.<br /><br />Or at least it used to be.<br /><br />That cozy and comfortable small town feel could soon change now that the <a href="http://sria-fla.com/" target="_blank">Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA)</a> on Wednesday, November 9th 2005 approved a zoning change for the owners of Clarion Suites Resort and Convention Center. The zoning change will allow Clarion to build a hotel on land that was previously zoned for medium density, with a high density development. What this means is that Clarion will build more units per acre than was previously allowed.<br /><br />But there may be one more chance that it won't happen. The zoning change request still has to be approved by the <a href="http://www.co.escambia.fl.us/departments/board_of_county_commissioners/default.php" target="_blank">Escambia County Commission</a>.<br /><br />The SRIA apparently didn't listen to the 800 + people who either signed a petition or emailed in concerns against the zoning change. Let's hope the Escambia County Commission is much wiser. After all they do work for <span style="font-style: italic;">us</span>, the people. The same people that voted them in office can just as easily vote them out.<br /><br />Pensacola Beach at one time had a seaside small town feel to it, but I guess that is about to change. Want to see what Pensacola Beach is about to become? Just take a look at Destin or <a href="http://www.mbchamber.com/" target="_blank">Myrtle Beach, South Carolina</a> for glimpse of the future.<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1122348884522299712005-07-26T16:15:00.000-04:002006-10-19T14:38:09.550-04:00Hands On Your Head. Don't Move! Down On Your Knees. Cross Your Ankles!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3230/513/1600/handcuffs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3230/513/200/handcuffs.jpg" alt="Image of handcuffs." border="0" /></a>No that's not a scene from COPS. But it could be a scene from Pensacola Beach.<br /><br />It will probably be heard more that once since Pensacola Beach is now open.<br /><br />When the barrier island was finally reopened (to the general public) after Hurricane Ivan, it was reported that there was some looting taking place. There were reports of people driving or walking up to other peoples property and just looking in and taking things out of damaged homes. I read a posting on the <a href="http://community.pensacolanewsjournal.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=den_penbea" target="_blank">Pensacola News Journal Community Forums</a> that the Police weren't always around (or around at all for that matter) to catch these thieves.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, the Police do a good job but can't be everywhere all of the time.<br /><br />When people lose possessions in a disaster, the things that are left over become all that more important to them. Maybe it is because that is all they have left. You don't realize how important something is to you until you have lost it.<br /><br />So please, respect other's property. Don't go looking in damaged structures "just for a look". You would not want strangers to come looking around your house or condo, so please don't go looking around other peoples stuff.<br /><br />The world needs a little more respect for each other and Pensacola Beach would be a great place for it to start.<br /><br />Remember, you never know who might be watching you! You may find yourself wishing it <span style="font-style: italic;">was</span> the Cops.<br /><br />Blogler<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1122135840075657942005-07-23T16:00:00.000-04:002006-10-19T14:38:09.479-04:00Pensacola Beach To Open To General Public 6:00 A.M. Sunday, 7-24-2005<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29861046@N00/28016826/" target="_blank"><img style="width: 155px; height: 117px;" src="http://photos22.flickr.com/28016826_36a9aaf9a7_b.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29861046@N00/28016826/" target="_blank">Click for a larger picture.</a></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Photo from June 20, 2004, Casino Beach, Pensacola Beach FL.</span><br /><br />The famous white sand beaches of Pensacola Beach (PB) will open to the general public starting at 6:00 a.m. CDT Sunday for the first time since Hurricane Emily made landfall just East of PB July 10, 2005.<br /><br />Parking on PB will be limited to Casino Beach and Quietwater Beach parking lots. Also of note is that <em><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">there is no gasoline available on the island</span>.</em> The Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier will remain closed until further notice.<br /><br />The Lifeguard towers at Casino Beach were destroyed by Hurricane Dennis. The towers are being rebuilt and three are expected to be operational by Sunday.<br /><br />Sandy Johnston, executive director of the Pensacola Beach Area Chamber of Commerce stated "We expect to be really busy this weekend and next weekend. These are the last two weekends before school starts, so we expect a lot of people will be trying to get to the beach for one last visit."<br /><br />Buck Lee, General Manager of the Island Authority said that sand at Casino and Quietwater beaches have not been sifted but have instead been spot checked for debris. Mr. Lee said sifting of these beaches will occur later, but he gave no time table on when this will occur.<br /><br />Bob West, Pensacola beaches public safety director said that Lifeguards have been swimming at the two main beaches to remove debris that they come across at the surface. Public Safety Director West said "We'll have the bulk of debris out of water by Sunday, but it wouldn't surprise me if there was some more out there."<br /><br />Areas outside of the two main beaches mentioned above probably are more dangerous to swimmers and beachgoers and footwear is recommended to be worn at all times both on the sandy beaches and in the water.<br /><br />Also, please be aware of rip currents, which are now more dangerous due to shifting sandbars in the area. Here is some information from HOWSTUFFWORKS.COM on <a href="http://science.howstuffworks.com/rip-current1.htm" target="_blank">rip currents and how to deal with them</a>.<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1121883053713735742005-07-20T14:10:00.000-04:002006-10-19T14:38:09.412-04:00Hurricane Emily Makes LandfallBelow is a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29861046@N00/27368659/" target="_blank">infrared satellite image</a> of Hurricane Emily as it made landfall on the Mexican coastline at approximately 7:30 am ET July 20, 2005. Image is courtesy of The Satellite Services Division of the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, which was posted at 15:15 pm UTC July 20, 2005.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29861046@N00/27368659/" target="_blank" title="Hurricane Emily 7-20-2005 at 15:15 pm UTC"><img src="http://photos23.flickr.com/27368659_711c16ee16_o.jpg" alt="Hurricane Emily at landfall on Mexican coastline July 20, 2005" height="117" width="155" /></a><br /><br />Hurricane Emily made landfall approximately 75 miles South-Southwest of Brownsville Texas with winds of 125 mph.<br /><br />As of 10:00 am CDT Emily was moving toward the West at approximately 10 mph, with this path expected to continue for the next 24 hours. Hurricane force winds extend outward from the center of the hurricane about 70 miles. Maximum sustained winds are at 105 mph.<br /><br />5 to 10 inches of heavy rainfall is expected over Northeastern Mexico. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected over Southern Texas and the lower Rio Grande valley.<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1121713587955012392005-07-18T15:06:00.000-04:002006-10-19T14:38:09.348-04:00NOAA Reports Emily Weakened After Crossing Yucatan Peninsula, Now In Open WatersBelow is a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29861046@N00/26884659/" target="_blank">infrared satellite image of Hurricane Emily</a> courtesy of The Satellite Services Division of the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service posted at 1:00 pm CDT July 18, 2005.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29861046@N00/26884659/" target="_blank" title="Hurricane Emily 7-18-2005 at 1:00 pm CDT"><img src="http://photos22.flickr.com/26884659_83b1e26535_o.jpg" alt="Hurricane Emily as of July 18, 2005" height="117" width="155" /></a><br /><br />Hurricane Emily crossed over the Yucatan Peninsula overnight and has re-entered the Gulf of Mexico. Land strike predictions indicate Emily's next landfall will probably be on the Mexican mainland.<br /><br />Emily's hurricane center as of 1:00 pm CDT was located at approximately latitude 22.0 North and longitude 90.3 West, which is approximately 490 miles (785 km) East-Southeast of La Pesca Mexico and 510 miles (820 km) East-Southeast of Brownsville Texas.<br /><br />Emily's path is toward the West-Northwest at approximately 18 mph (28 km/hr), with this path predicted to continue throughout today. A gradual decrease in forward speed is expected. This surprises me because you would think that Hurricane Emily would increase in forward speed after re-entering the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico.<br /><br />Maximum sustained winds are 75 mph with a central pressure of 984 MB. This makes Emily a category 1 hurricane on the <a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml" target="_blank">Saffir-Simpson scale</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1121661015814806842005-07-18T00:23:00.000-04:002006-10-19T14:38:09.292-04:00Hurricane Emily Takes Aim At The Yucatan PeninsulaHere is an update on Hurricane Emily, which is classified a <a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml" target="_blank">category 4 hurricane/Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale</a>.<br /><br />As of 11:00 pm EDT July 17, 2005, Hurricane Emily was moving along a path toward the Northeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and is expected to move across the Northern Yucatan Peninsula before emerging into the Southern Gulf of Mexico Monday.<br /><br />Hurricane Emily has sustained winds approaching 135 mph (215 km/hr). The hurricane force winds reach outward 60 miles (95 km) from Emily's center.<br /><br />Emily's storm center was located at approximately 19.9 North latitude and 86.5 West longitude, as of 11:00 pm EDT. This puts the hurricane about 50 miles (80 km) South-Southeast of Cozumel Mexico.<br /><br />This category 4 hurricane is moving West-Northwest at approximately 18 mph.<br /><br />Below is a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29861046@N00/26725770/" target="_blank">infrared satellite image of Hurricane Emily</a> courtesy of The Satellite Services Division of the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, posted at 11:00 pm EDT July 17, 2005.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29861046@N00/26725770/" target="_blank" title="Hurricane Emily 7-17-2005 at 11:00 pm EDT"><img src="http://photos21.flickr.com/26725770_59064252ac_o.jpg" alt="Hurricane Emily as of July 17, 2005" height="117" width="155" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1121492913815317852005-07-16T01:45:00.000-04:002006-10-19T14:38:09.233-04:00Ft. Pickens UpdateHere is some information from <a href="http://community.pensacolanewsjournal.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=den_penbea;action=display;num=1121460919" target="_blank">a July 15, 2005 posting</a> on the Pensacola News Journal's community forum about <a href="http://www.pensacolasgreatest.com/FortPickens.html" target="_blank">Ft. Pickens, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore</a>. Information is from "gumbolady", a member of the Pensacola News Journal (PNJ) community forum.<br /><br />"Gumbolady" , a PNJ Forum Senior Member, met with an unnamed person from Ft. Pickens and posted the information that was gathered on the <a href="http://community.pensacolanewsjournal.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=den_penbea" target="_blank">PNJ Community Forum (Pensacola Beach Hurricane Dennis section)</a>. Below is some information from the July 15, 2005 posting.<br /><br />To paraphrase "gumbolady":<br /><ul> <li>Ft. Pickens will probably be closed for another year.</li> <li>The road beyond the entrance to Ft. Pickens has been breached in several places by water and the Sound is approximately 30 feet from the road in places.</li> <li>The Sound side of the area is unsafe because of debris and "waste" floating in water.</li> <li>Beaches at Ft. Pickens have lots of debris, including glass and other objects in the sand.</li> </ul>"Gumbolady" suggest it is not a good idea to fish, cast a net or take any crabs from the Sound.<br /><br />Thanks to "gumbolady" for posting some information on Ft. Pickens.<br /><br />I'm providing <a href="http://alt.ngs.noaa.gov/dennis/" target="_blank">a link to some NOAA satellite images</a> (includes Ft. Pickens area) that were taken along Alabama and Florida after Hurricane Dennis made landfall. These are high resolution images recommended for broadband users use. The images are courtesy of <a href="http://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank">NOAA</a> (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).<br /><br /><strike>NOTE: <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">The map to access the images will work with Internet Explorer. Other browsers are not guaranteed to work.</span><br /></strike><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Update 12-20-05:</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Firefox browser 1.5 now works correctly viewing satellite images.</span><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.spreadfirefox.com/?q=affiliates&id=151999&t=70"><img alt="Get Firefox!" title="Get Firefox!" src="http://sfx-images.mozilla.org/affiliates/Buttons/88x31/get.gif" border="0" /></a></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1121411011654835152005-07-15T03:03:00.000-04:002006-10-19T14:38:09.176-04:00The Weather Channel Reports Hurricane Emily Now A Category 4 HurricaneHurricane Emily has strengthened to a category 4 hurricane with winds of approximately 135 mph, The Weather Channel reports.<br /><br />As of 11:00 pm AST Hurricane Emily's storm center was located near latitude 13.6 North and longitude 67.5 West, approximately 375 miles or 600 kilometers South-Southeast of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.<br /><br />The National Weather Service is reporting that Emily is moving toward the West-Northwest at 20 mph or 32 Kilometers/hour with this path expected to continue for the next 24 hours.<br /><br />United States Air Force Recon aircraft investigating Hurricane Emily have reported that Emily has maximum sustained winds of approximately 125 mph or 205 Kilometers/hour with some higher gust also reported.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT5+shtml/150538.shtml" target="_blank">The National Weather Services latest advisory on Hurricane Emily</a> is available.<br /><br />Below is a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=26070858&size=o" target="_blank">infrared satellite image of Hurricane Emily</a> courtesy of NOAA taken at 11:00 pm AST July 15, 2005.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=26070858&size=o" target="_blank" title="Hurricane Emily 7-15-2005 at 11:00 pm AST"><img src="http://photos23.flickr.com/26070858_de902ee9e4_o.jpg" alt="Hurricane Emily as of July 15, 2005" height="117" width="155" /></a><br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1121369343210720382005-07-14T15:30:00.000-04:002006-10-19T14:38:09.120-04:00Emily Strengthening In The CaribbeanHurricane Emily is reported to be strengthening in the Eastern Caribbean to a category 2 hurricane, according to <a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT5+shtml/141431.shtml" target="_blank">The National Weather Services latest advisory on the storm</a>.<br /><br />Hurricane Emily's storm center is located near Latitude 12.7 North and Longitude 64.0 West with it's storm center approximately 560 miles or 905 kilometers Southeast of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.<br /><br />As of 11:00 am AST Emily was moving toward the West-Northwest at approximately 18 mph with maximum sustained winds increasing to 100 mph or 160 Kilometers/hour. Emily is predicted to strengthen over the next 24 hours. Emily currently has hurricane strength winds reaching up to 35 miles or 55 kilometers from the storms center.<br /><br />Below is a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29861046@N00/25966595/" target="_blank">infrared satellite image of Hurricane Emily</a> courtesy of NOAA taken at 11:00 am AST July 14, 2005.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29861046@N00/25966595/" title="Hurricane Emily 7-14-2005 at 11:00 am AST"><img src="http://photos22.flickr.com/25966595_2767565dc5_o.jpg" alt="Hurricane Emily as of July 14, 2005" height="117" width="155" /></a><br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1121312267302402352005-07-13T23:35:00.000-04:002006-10-19T14:38:09.065-04:00Update: Emily Reaches Hurricane StrengthThe National Hurricane Center has now classified Emily a Hurricane with winds approaching 90 mph as of 11:00 pm AST Wednesday July 13, 2005.<br /><br />The National Hurricane Center's latest public advisory on Hurricane Emily is available <a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT5+shtml/132357.shtml" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1121309540425983842005-07-13T23:10:00.000-04:002006-10-19T14:38:09.006-04:00Tropical Storm Emily Advisory Is AvailableAs you may know by now, a new tropical storm has formed just days after Hurricane Dennis. This new tropical storm has been named Emily. The National Hurricane Center regularly releases public advisories on these types of storms.<br /><br />The National Hurricane Center's latest public advisory on Tropical Storm Emily is available <a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT5+shtml/132357.shtml" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />Come back often as it will be updated regularly by <a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml" target="_blank=">The National Hurricane Center</a> as they release new advisories on Emily.<br /><br />Advisories are provided by The National Hurricane Center, which is part of <a href="http://www.nws.noaa.gov/" target="_blank">The National Weather Service</a>.<br /><br />For more information on Emily see <a href="http://pensacolabeachtimes.blogspot.com/2005/07/emily-hurricane-warnings-downgraded.html" target="_blank"><b>"Emily: Hurricane Warnings Downgraded"</b></a> from Pensacola Beach Times.<br /> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1121285225762824042005-07-13T16:41:00.000-04:002006-10-19T14:38:08.946-04:00Emily: Hurricane Warnings DowngradedThe <a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml" target="_blank">National Hurricane Center</a> in their 2:00pm AST advisory reported that Tropical Storm Emily was not strengthening and that hurricane warnings have been downgraded.<br /><br />Emily's storm center was located approximately 130 miles or 210 kilometers South - Southeast of Barbados with a latitude of 11.3 North and a longitude of 59.0 West.<br /><br />Tropical Storm Emily is currently moving West at approximately 20 mph with an anticipated trek West - Northwest within 24 hours. Emily's storm center is expected to pass over the Southern Windward Islands later this evening. Emily, at time of reporting had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph with higher gust reported.<br /><br />Below is a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29861046@N00/25755323/" target="_blank">infrared radar image</a> from <a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml" target="_blank">The National Hurricane Center</a> of Tropical Storm Emily as of 2:00 pm AST.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29861046@N00/25755323/" target="_blank" title="TS Emily"><img src="http://photos23.flickr.com/25755323_b7e0ca505a_o.jpg" width="155" height="117" alt="TS Emily IR Image at 2:00 pm AST" /></a><br /><br />The National Weather Service is expected to release the next advisory at 5:00 pm AST.<br /> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1121201720764561722005-07-12T16:55:00.000-04:002006-10-19T14:38:08.891-04:00Forecasters Keeping Eye On Tropical Storm EmilyForecasters expect Tropical Storm Emily to become a hurricane any day now. Tropical Storm Emily is gaining strength and increasing in forward speed.<br /><br />Emily is expected to be classified a hurricane as it nears Barbados sometime tomorrow. Tropical Storm Emily is expected to gain strength as it enters the Caribbean, taking a similar path that Hurricane Dennis did.<br /><br />When Emily reaches the Caribbean, it could quite possibly become a category two hurricane with winds in excess of 96 mph <a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml" target="_blank">(Category Two winds/Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale)</a>.<br /><br />For more information you can go to <a href="http://www.weather.com/" target="_blank">The Weather Channel</a>.<br /> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1121149826141215972005-07-12T02:30:00.000-04:002006-10-19T14:38:08.834-04:00Gulf Power Co. Estimates 95% Of Customers Will have Power Restored Within A WeekBut that estimate does not include <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=santa+rosa+florida&ll=30.379257,-87.058411&spn=0.312458,0.481407&t=k&hl=en" target="_blank">Santa Rosa Island</a>.<br /><br />The 242,000 customers who were left without power after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Dennis" target="_blank">Hurricane Dennis</a> may see the light sooner than expected. Gulf Power Company estimates that 95% of those without power will have power restored within a week. Of course the weather has to cooperate.<br /><br />It appears the Northwest Florida area will have good weather for at least the next couple of days, which I'm sure is good news for those without power and the workers who will be restoring it.<br /><br />Gulf Power began restoring power to hospitals, sewer systems, and other emergency facilities as of late Monday. 27 of the 47 substations that had power knocked out have been restored.<br /><br />Gulf Power Co. used airplanes and helicopters to assist them in assessing damages. Approximately 2,000 outside power workers arrived Monday and immediately began work restoring power. An additional 1,300 crews are expected to arrive and begin working today (Tuesday).<br /><br />As many as 17,000 customers are expected to have had their power restored by late Monday night.<br /><br /><b>If you need to report that you are without power</b> you can call Gulf Power Co. at <b style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1-800-GU-POWER (487-6937).</b><br /> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1121116146343199872005-07-11T17:10:00.000-04:002006-10-19T14:38:08.778-04:00Partial List Of Areas Damaged By Hurricane DennisHere is a partial list of damages in the Pensacola Beach area. The <a href="http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage" target="_blank">Pensacola News Journal</a> (PNJ) has produced an article and map of areas around Pensacola that were damaged by Hurricane Dennis.<br /><br />The article and map from the PNJ can be found <a href="http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050711/NEWS01/507110318/1006" target="_blank">here</a>. The <a href="http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/assets/pdf/DP5108711.PDF" target="_blank">map is viewable here</a>.<br /><br />Here is a brief list of damages:<br /><ul> <li>Electricity, water and sewer services were damaged and are out.</li> <li>Dennis damaged several condos at Emerald Isle.</li> <li>Holiday Inn's roof is reported to be gone.</li> <li>Power lines are down on Via de Luna in Pensacola Beach.</li><li>Hurricane Dennis removed the roof from Crabs We Got 'Em Restaurant.</li> <li>The Dunes Hotel has new damage on it's East side.</li> <li>The Jubilee Restaurant is reported to be "torn open".</li> <li>The Paradise Bar and Grill has a wall with a large hole.</li> </ul>Also it appears that a section of Ft. Pickens Rd. was washed away by the Dennis.<br /><br />This is not a full list of damages left by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Dennis" target="_blank">Hurricane Dennis</a>.<br /><br />In related news, Gov. Jeb Bush is promising rapid relief and less frustration in dealing with <a href="http://www.fema.gov/" target="_blank">FEMA</a>. See the Pensacola News Journal for the <a href="http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050711/NEWS01/507110308/1006" target="_blank">Bush comments</a>.<br /><br />Here is the FEMA web page with information on <a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://www.fema.gov/about/process/" target="_blank"><b>how to apply for disaster relief for individuals</b></a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1121109352813143552005-07-11T15:15:00.000-04:002006-10-19T14:38:08.723-04:00Bob Sikes Bridge Is Open For Residents Of Pensacola BeachThe <a href="http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage" target="_blank">Pensacola News Journal</a> (PNJ) is reporting today that residents of Pensacola Beach can return to their homes on the barrier island, but they must park their cars at the Casino Beach parking lot and walk to their homes.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050711/NEWS01/507110308/1006" target="_blank">According to the PNJ article</a>, a decision has been made to allow residents to stay in their homes overnight, even though there is no sewer, electricity or water service available on the island.<br /><br />Buck Lee, General Manager of the <a href="http://sria-fla.com/" target="_blank">Santa Rosa Island Authority</a> stated in a PNJ article today that there have been "problems encountered restoring power to the island."<br /><br />Governor Jeb Bush has made plans to visit some area's hit by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Dennis" target="_blank">Hurricane Dennis</a> today (July 11, 2005) to bring attention to and encourage rebuilding of the area's damaged. The counties Gov. Bush is expected to visit are Santa Rosa and Escambia counties, and possibly others that were hit by Hurricane Dennis.<br /><br />President Bush declared Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, and 11 other counties in Florida a national disaster area making these areas eligible for federal disaster relief aid.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7929002.post-1121103381541299692005-07-11T13:36:00.000-04:002006-10-19T14:38:08.667-04:00Wikipedia Adds Hurricane Dennis To It's Free - Content Encyclopedia<a href="http://wikipedia.org/" target="_blank">Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia</a> has added an entry about the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Dennis" target="_blank">history of Hurricane Dennis</a> to it's already numerous articles (620,000 + English articles).<br /><br />To learn more about <b>Wikipedia</b> and what it is all about you can visit the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:About" target="_blank">About Wikipedia</a> web page.<br /> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com