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| Hurricane Sally Live Updates: Hundreds of Homes Flooded in Florida | Hurricane Sally Live Updates: Hundreds of Homes Flooded in Florida |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Floodwaters rushed through parts of Alabama and Florida on Wednesday, turning roads to rivers, submerging cars and sending several out-of-control construction barges into waters along the Florida Panhandle as Hurricane Sally dumped a torrent of rain along its path after making landfall early in the morning. | |
| The surging water reached higher than five feet in Pensacola, Fla., and slammed a barge into a section of the Pensacola Bay Bridge that was under construction, destroying part of it, Sheriff David Morgan of Escambia County, which includes Pensacola, said in an interview. | The surging water reached higher than five feet in Pensacola, Fla., and slammed a barge into a section of the Pensacola Bay Bridge that was under construction, destroying part of it, Sheriff David Morgan of Escambia County, which includes Pensacola, said in an interview. |
| The Pensacola area has already seen more than two feet of rainfall from Sally, and meteorologists said that up to 35 inches of rain could fall in coastal communities. Sheriff Morgan said nearly 300 homes in and around a neighborhood of Cantonment, a Pensacola suburb, had been flooded and that residents were having to evacuate. | |
| Another construction barge with a “fully-extended crane” also came loose and was at one point heading toward a separate bridge, the Escambia Bay Bridge, around noon before running ashore. Sheriff Morgan said he had considered all kinds of ways to stop the barge as it neared the bridge, even getting permission to fire 40-millimeter grenades at it before determining that the extreme step would be too dangerous and likely wouldn’t work anyway. | |
| “There’s not much we can do,” Sheriff Morgan said. Later in the afternoon, he said the barge had, luckily, run ashore before reaching the bridge and that people were trying to tie it down so it would not break free again. | |
| Sally made landfall at around 5 a.m. Central Time over Gulf Shores, Ala., as a Category 2 hurricane and eventually weakened to a tropical storm, but its deluge was not forecast to let up any time soon. Parking lots in both states looked like ponds and hurricane-force winds continued to pound homes and businesses. | |
| The languid pace and lurching path of Sally, which was moving northeast through the Florida Panhandle at just 5 miles per hour as of 1 p.m. Central Time, led officials to warn residents to hunker down for a sustained period of damage and rainfall. | The languid pace and lurching path of Sally, which was moving northeast through the Florida Panhandle at just 5 miles per hour as of 1 p.m. Central Time, led officials to warn residents to hunker down for a sustained period of damage and rainfall. |
| “Catastrophic and life-threatening flooding occurring over portions of the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama” the National Hurricane Center warned. | “Catastrophic and life-threatening flooding occurring over portions of the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama” the National Hurricane Center warned. |
| Roughly 150,000 people in Alabama and 200,000 in Florida lost power overnight. With water and downed trees making roads impassible, and with the hurricane’s sustained winds still at 80 m.p.h., residents were told it could be hours before emergency services were dispatched in force. | Roughly 150,000 people in Alabama and 200,000 in Florida lost power overnight. With water and downed trees making roads impassible, and with the hurricane’s sustained winds still at 80 m.p.h., residents were told it could be hours before emergency services were dispatched in force. |
| As the sun began to peek through the clouds, videos from residents and local media outlets showed images of homes that had been ripped apart by the howling winds, boats torn from their moorings and power lines downed in many towns and cities. In Foley, Ala., just north of the hurricane’s landfall, images showed a destroyed mobile home and a door that appeared to have been yanked by wind from a house. | As the sun began to peek through the clouds, videos from residents and local media outlets showed images of homes that had been ripped apart by the howling winds, boats torn from their moorings and power lines downed in many towns and cities. In Foley, Ala., just north of the hurricane’s landfall, images showed a destroyed mobile home and a door that appeared to have been yanked by wind from a house. |
| And everywhere, water. | And everywhere, water. |
| The extent of the damage was not immediately clear, but videos from Pensacola Beach, Fla., showed storm surge pushing seawater into residential streets and parks. According to the National Weather Service, a casino barge near Coden, Ala., broke loose because of strong winds and storm surge and slammed into a dock. | The extent of the damage was not immediately clear, but videos from Pensacola Beach, Fla., showed storm surge pushing seawater into residential streets and parks. According to the National Weather Service, a casino barge near Coden, Ala., broke loose because of strong winds and storm surge and slammed into a dock. |
| In recent days, the storm’s projected point of landfall has veered by nearly 200 miles. It had once been expected to rake over the remote, low-lying areas of southeastern Louisiana and possibly reach beyond the New Orleans metropolitan area. Instead, it was the more populated areas around Mobile, Ala., and Pensacola that appeared to bear the brunt of the storm. | In recent days, the storm’s projected point of landfall has veered by nearly 200 miles. It had once been expected to rake over the remote, low-lying areas of southeastern Louisiana and possibly reach beyond the New Orleans metropolitan area. Instead, it was the more populated areas around Mobile, Ala., and Pensacola that appeared to bear the brunt of the storm. |
| John De Block, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Birmingham, Ala., said the storm was drifting “at the speed of a child in a candy shop,” as if it were meandering through the aisles and waffling over its choices. | John De Block, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Birmingham, Ala., said the storm was drifting “at the speed of a child in a candy shop,” as if it were meandering through the aisles and waffling over its choices. |
| Officials urged people to take advantage of the storm’s sluggish pace and get out of harm’s way. Those who stayed behind were warned that the waters could climb high. | Officials urged people to take advantage of the storm’s sluggish pace and get out of harm’s way. Those who stayed behind were warned that the waters could climb high. |
| “I’ve seen streets and neighborhoods quickly fill up with five, six, seven and even more depth of water in a short period of time,” Sam Cochran, the Mobile County sheriff, said during a briefing on Tuesday. | “I’ve seen streets and neighborhoods quickly fill up with five, six, seven and even more depth of water in a short period of time,” Sam Cochran, the Mobile County sheriff, said during a briefing on Tuesday. |
| For those who stay behind, he added, it might be “a couple of days or longer before we can get you out.” | For those who stay behind, he added, it might be “a couple of days or longer before we can get you out.” |
| As the forecasts shifted wildly in recent days, the erratic nature of the storm led communities in the Florida Panhandle to be struck with an intensity they had not anticipated. | As the forecasts shifted wildly in recent days, the erratic nature of the storm led communities in the Florida Panhandle to be struck with an intensity they had not anticipated. |
| “I think many of us were beating ourselves up first thing this morning,” said David Morgan, the sheriff in Escambia County, Fla., which includes Pensacola, “because the reports that we had gotten from the National Weather Service, et cetera, led us to believe that while we would certainly have some impact from this storm, it would not be a direct hit on Escambia County, and it certainly wouldn’t have the devastating effects we’re experiencing right now.” | “I think many of us were beating ourselves up first thing this morning,” said David Morgan, the sheriff in Escambia County, Fla., which includes Pensacola, “because the reports that we had gotten from the National Weather Service, et cetera, led us to believe that while we would certainly have some impact from this storm, it would not be a direct hit on Escambia County, and it certainly wouldn’t have the devastating effects we’re experiencing right now.” |
| “I’ll tell you, it’s bad,” Mr. Morgan added. | “I’ll tell you, it’s bad,” Mr. Morgan added. |
| On Wednesday afternoon, county officials said they were still in the thick of the storm, with parts of the area still virtually inaccessible because of whipping winds and heavy rainfall. Yet, it was already clear the amount of destruction was significant, with some drawing comparisons to the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, in 2004, which had been one of the worst storms to hit the Gulf Coast in recent history. | On Wednesday afternoon, county officials said they were still in the thick of the storm, with parts of the area still virtually inaccessible because of whipping winds and heavy rainfall. Yet, it was already clear the amount of destruction was significant, with some drawing comparisons to the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, in 2004, which had been one of the worst storms to hit the Gulf Coast in recent history. |
| “We have now absolutely experienced massive flooding due to the historic rainfall,” Janice P. Gilley, the Escambia County administrator, said during a briefing on Wednesday, adding that local officials have asked for state and federal help. “We have requested more assets, we have requested more personnel.” | “We have now absolutely experienced massive flooding due to the historic rainfall,” Janice P. Gilley, the Escambia County administrator, said during a briefing on Wednesday, adding that local officials have asked for state and federal help. “We have requested more assets, we have requested more personnel.” |
| The authorities said emergency workers had deployed to rescue people from neighborhoods that had been inundated by water. The authorities have also had to rescue homes that had caught on fire. | The authorities said emergency workers had deployed to rescue people from neighborhoods that had been inundated by water. The authorities have also had to rescue homes that had caught on fire. |
| “We’re just getting them high and dry and getting them out of harm’s way,” Eric Gilmore, the county emergency manager, said. | “We’re just getting them high and dry and getting them out of harm’s way,” Eric Gilmore, the county emergency manager, said. |
| Officials urged residents in the area, if they were safe at home, to stay there, describing a volatile and perilous landscape across the region. | Officials urged residents in the area, if they were safe at home, to stay there, describing a volatile and perilous landscape across the region. |
| Sally left much of south Alabama in a chaotic mess Wednesday morning as it continued to dump rain and batter the region with dangerous wind gusts. | Sally left much of south Alabama in a chaotic mess Wednesday morning as it continued to dump rain and batter the region with dangerous wind gusts. |
| The city of Mobile, which had virtually shut down awaiting the brunt of the storm, still saw high wind gusts that caused the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel, a high-rise, to sway and shudder as if it were in an earthquake. Outside, random debris from damaged buildings cluttered walkways, including big panels that had flown off a valet parking overhang. | The city of Mobile, which had virtually shut down awaiting the brunt of the storm, still saw high wind gusts that caused the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel, a high-rise, to sway and shudder as if it were in an earthquake. Outside, random debris from damaged buildings cluttered walkways, including big panels that had flown off a valet parking overhang. |
| On Interstate 65, a few drivers inched their way furtively across the high twin-span bridge north of the city that spans the Mobile River. Elsewhere, on Alabama state route 59 — a north-south highway that ends at Gulf Shores, where Sally made landfall — large trees completely blocked northbound lanes, forcing drivers onto the opposite side of the road. Smaller roads were choked with fallen branches and leaves. | On Interstate 65, a few drivers inched their way furtively across the high twin-span bridge north of the city that spans the Mobile River. Elsewhere, on Alabama state route 59 — a north-south highway that ends at Gulf Shores, where Sally made landfall — large trees completely blocked northbound lanes, forcing drivers onto the opposite side of the road. Smaller roads were choked with fallen branches and leaves. |
| In Loxley, Ala., an open convenience store and gas station was crowded with motorists fueling up. Inside, residents bought 12-packs of beer, cigarettes and potato chips. | In Loxley, Ala., an open convenience store and gas station was crowded with motorists fueling up. Inside, residents bought 12-packs of beer, cigarettes and potato chips. |
| Down the road, Tim Booth, 62, a semi-retired truck driver, was standing in his front yard, a mist of rain falling on him while he chopped up a downed fir tree with a buzzing chainsaw. Mr. Booth said that he and his wife and 19-year-old son had thought about heading to a relative’s brick house in Pensacola, but decided to ride out the storm given the predictions of relatively low wind speed. | Down the road, Tim Booth, 62, a semi-retired truck driver, was standing in his front yard, a mist of rain falling on him while he chopped up a downed fir tree with a buzzing chainsaw. Mr. Booth said that he and his wife and 19-year-old son had thought about heading to a relative’s brick house in Pensacola, but decided to ride out the storm given the predictions of relatively low wind speed. |
| But the wind was stronger than anybody thought, and Mr. Booth’s family spent a harrowing night in their mobile home. “We really started feeling it after midnight,” he said. “Man, it just unloaded. It felt like Ivan” — a massive hurricane from the 2004 season — “and that was a Category 5.” | But the wind was stronger than anybody thought, and Mr. Booth’s family spent a harrowing night in their mobile home. “We really started feeling it after midnight,” he said. “Man, it just unloaded. It felt like Ivan” — a massive hurricane from the 2004 season — “and that was a Category 5.” |
| As raging wildfires burn vast swaths of the West Coast, and as the molasses-slow Hurricane Sally pounds the Gulf Coast, scientists say we are witnessing, again, the role of climate change in exacerbating natural disasters. | As raging wildfires burn vast swaths of the West Coast, and as the molasses-slow Hurricane Sally pounds the Gulf Coast, scientists say we are witnessing, again, the role of climate change in exacerbating natural disasters. |
| True to predictions by government scientists in May, this hurricane season has been among the most active on record, with 20 named storms so far. With the National Hurricane Center rapidly running out of letters of the alphabet for subsequent storms, ones after that will be based on the Greek alphabet in the likely event there are two more. | True to predictions by government scientists in May, this hurricane season has been among the most active on record, with 20 named storms so far. With the National Hurricane Center rapidly running out of letters of the alphabet for subsequent storms, ones after that will be based on the Greek alphabet in the likely event there are two more. |
| Scientists know that climate change has made hurricanes wetter, because as the atmosphere warms it can hold more moisture. But there is evidence that it can make them slow down, too, enabling the storms to pelt land with heavy rains and winds for longer. | Scientists know that climate change has made hurricanes wetter, because as the atmosphere warms it can hold more moisture. But there is evidence that it can make them slow down, too, enabling the storms to pelt land with heavy rains and winds for longer. |
| Studies by Michael E. Mann, a climate scientist at Penn State, and others suggest that increased Arctic warmth reduces the temperature differential between that region and the tropics. This leads to a slowing of the jet stream, which affects other circulation patterns in the tropics but also in mid-latitude areas like North America. | Studies by Michael E. Mann, a climate scientist at Penn State, and others suggest that increased Arctic warmth reduces the temperature differential between that region and the tropics. This leads to a slowing of the jet stream, which affects other circulation patterns in the tropics but also in mid-latitude areas like North America. |
| “Our work indicates that climate change is favoring this phenomenon,” Dr. Mann wrote in an email message. “It likely plays a role in the decreased translation speed of landfalling hurricanes.” | “Our work indicates that climate change is favoring this phenomenon,” Dr. Mann wrote in an email message. “It likely plays a role in the decreased translation speed of landfalling hurricanes.” |
| Though conservative media and President Trump have disputed any suggestion that climate change is a factor in the West Coast wildfires, scientists have identified it as a primary cause. The results of climate change could cause millions to become displaced, reshaping America. | Though conservative media and President Trump have disputed any suggestion that climate change is a factor in the West Coast wildfires, scientists have identified it as a primary cause. The results of climate change could cause millions to become displaced, reshaping America. |
| Still recovering from Hurricane Laura and now bracing for Hurricane Sally, residents along the Gulf Coast and the Eastern Seaboard warily watched reports of other major storms developing in the Atlantic. | Still recovering from Hurricane Laura and now bracing for Hurricane Sally, residents along the Gulf Coast and the Eastern Seaboard warily watched reports of other major storms developing in the Atlantic. |
| On Monday, before Tropical Depression Rene dissolved, there were five concurrent named storms in the Atlantic, which has not happened since 1971, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. | On Monday, before Tropical Depression Rene dissolved, there were five concurrent named storms in the Atlantic, which has not happened since 1971, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. |
| Three are still active. | Three are still active. |
| Hurricane Paulette packed winds of 100 miles per hour about 450 miles south of Newfoundland, Canada, and threatened to bring dangerous surf and rip current conditions to Bermuda, the Bahamas and parts of the Atlantic Coast. | Hurricane Paulette packed winds of 100 miles per hour about 450 miles south of Newfoundland, Canada, and threatened to bring dangerous surf and rip current conditions to Bermuda, the Bahamas and parts of the Atlantic Coast. |
| Tropical Storm Teddy was gaining strength about 865 miles east of the Lesser Antilles and was projected to near “major hurricane strength” as it approaches Bermuda over the weekend. | Tropical Storm Teddy was gaining strength about 865 miles east of the Lesser Antilles and was projected to near “major hurricane strength” as it approaches Bermuda over the weekend. |
| And Tropical Storm Vicky had maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour about 710 miles west of Cape Verde, though it was not projected to threaten land and was expected to weaken in the coming days. | And Tropical Storm Vicky had maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour about 710 miles west of Cape Verde, though it was not projected to threaten land and was expected to weaken in the coming days. |
| This hurricane season has been among the most active on record, with 20 named storms so far. Along with the wildfires that have devastated the West Coast, scientists see the twin crises as yet more effects of climate change, which threatens to reshape America. | This hurricane season has been among the most active on record, with 20 named storms so far. Along with the wildfires that have devastated the West Coast, scientists see the twin crises as yet more effects of climate change, which threatens to reshape America. |
| Scientists say climate change has made hurricanes wetter, and there is evidence that it can make them slow down, too. | Scientists say climate change has made hurricanes wetter, and there is evidence that it can make them slow down, too. |
| Reporting was contributed by Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Johnny Diaz, Richard Fausset, Rick Rojas, Marc Santora, Daniel Victor and Will Wright. | Reporting was contributed by Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Johnny Diaz, Richard Fausset, Rick Rojas, Marc Santora, Daniel Victor and Will Wright. |