Information for Impacted Residents
- Insurance
- Residents impacted by the storm are encouraged to contact their homeowner or renter’s insurance carrier as soon as possible.
- Florida Division of Consumer Service offers a toll-free hotline that connects consumers across Florida with insurance experts who can answer questions about what may or may not be covered under a specific home or auto policy. They can also connect consumers with the appropriate contact information for their specific carrier and help to mediate any issues that may arise when communicating about a claim. Helpline experts are available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST by calling 1-877-693-5236. More at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/Consumers/contactus.htm
- Unlicensed Contractors
- Be wary of unlicensed contractors and home repair scams. Florida law requires a contractor’s license and workers’ compensation insurance and sets specific rules and guidelines for professional licensing, which are standards that protect Floridians form personal harm or financial loss. The liability for injuries by uninsured contractors could be devastating. Door-to-door repair operators and out-of-state contractors may seem attractive because they usually do not have a long waiting list, but they are perpetrating a fraud. Those laws also protect licensed professionals from unfair competition with cut-rate unlicensed individuals.
- Contractors can easily be checked out by contacting the Building Inspections Department by email at buildinginspections@myescambia.com or call (850) 595-3509. Also, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation can verify licenses at www.myfloridalicense.com or call (850) 487-1395.
- Escambia County residents should report suspected unlicensed or unpermitted work by emailing buildinginspections@myescambia.com or by calling (850) 595-3509.
- Damage:
- An estimated 30 homes are expected to have some level of damage in the Ensley area. A more accurate damage assessment will be available as assessments are complete.
- Ashton Brosnaham Park is closed until further notice. Two buildings sustained roof damaged, several fields have fence and bleacher damage, and the fields are unsafe due to debris.
- Lipscomb Elementary School was observed to have damage to the building.
- Road Closures:
- Palafox at 10 Mile Road - New
- 10 Mile Road between Palafox Street and Tara Dawn Road
- Bet Mark Road
- Beulah Road Bridge just north of the Perdido Landfill has standing water on the roadway. Use caution when in the area, especially with the additional rain expected today and tomorrow.
- If you see standing water, do not drive through it. Turn around, don't drown.
- No injuries have been reported.
- Residents are asked to be careful/stay home and out of the area if possible as the Escambia County Road Department clears the roads and Gulf Power clears any downed power lines. Sight-seeing is highly discouraged.
- The National Weather Service has been contacted and will be responsible for making the determination of what type of wind event took place.
- Escambia Fire Rescue, EMS, Emergency Management, Road Department, Sheriff’s Office, EUCA and Gulf Power are responding.
