Replies

It is still too early for official overall damage estimates or details, but there is enough anecdotal information to begin looking for overall patterns. Note that since all this has been filtered through the media, which tends towards the sensationalistic, using it as a baseline or average will skew the damage overview worse than it really is, however, it does indicate what forces certain areas were subject to.

Gulf Breeze, Florida:
One poorly constructed residence, F4 damage (some walls standing, some foundation showing), minimum five separate residential areas totally destroyed (TD, multiple, 3 or more, houses reduced, probably by surge, to flotsam and distributed over a large debris field for each area), Oriole beach, 1 TD area, 1/4 mile debris field blocking access to Bob Sikes bridge (Gulf Breeze to P'cola beach), 30 foot section of Bob Sikes bridge missing, Amsouth Bank partially collapsed, Garcon Point and Pensacola Bay bridges closed pending inspection, known erosion under Pensacola Bay Bridge northern approach.

Pensacola Beach, Florida:
Ft. Pickens mostly flooded, shallow, two or more four story buildings missing 75% roof and 25% top floor, 4 unit condo 50% collapsed, 20+ unit apartment or condo 50% collapsed, 10 unit condo 50% collapsed, 4 story building 75% collapsed, 3 residences east of Dome Home F5 (bare foundation) damage, per sheriff via FOX-80% of residences damaged or destroyed, Naverre Causeway closed, structural damage, access to P'cola Beach by boat only.

Pensacola, Florida:
low lying areas shallow flooding, some surge (wave action) damage, but more water damage, comm. building roof collpase, area with multiple F3 (some major walls missing, most standing, roof missing)damage to residences, 3 partially collapsed commercial bldgs, 1 partially collapsed residence, 1 TD area, westside waterfront homes flooded to 4 feet, I-10 Escambia Bridge 30 foot section of eastbound deck missing, two eastbound piers possibly missing, westbound decks detached on both sides of the channel span, piers appear to be intact, the two westbound lanes may see bi-directional service prior to restoration of eastbound lanes, Highway 90 bridge over Escambra river closed, some reports indicate damage, some reports indicate debris only.

Grande Lagoon, Florida:
Reported surge to 26 feet, 12 residences F5 (bare foundation) damage, 2 fatalities reported.

Perdido Key:
No information available.

Navarre, Florida:
Condo partially collpased, Navarre Beach causeway closed, subdivision on Thresher road partially sumberged, "every convenience store from Navarre to Gulf Breeze damaged", large sections of highway 87 underwater.

Pensacola Naval Air Station:
No information available.

Gulf Shores, Alabama:
At least one cross island breach, 20 to 30' wide, main highway cut with scouring 6 to 8 feet deep, two or more half mile or greater ressidential/commercial sections still underwater, both involving the main highway, 3 story building 25% collapsed, at least two TD areas.

Orange Beach, Alabama:
2 5(+) story condo highrises 25% collapsed, F4 damage to multiple buildings, 2 20 unit condos 75% collpased.

Foley, Alabama:
Dollar General comm. building 90% collapsed.

Overall, low lying areas from Gulf Shores Alabama to Navarre, Florida, subject to storm surge suffered significant damage, while wind damage appears to have been much lighter, primarily damaging trees, power lines, roofs, windows and doors, and light commercial buildings. Wind damage largely appears to be at F2 (significant roof damage) levels or below.

Relief efforts have been hampered by bridge damage, but currently 2000+ National Guard troops are enroute or arriving via Highway 89/29. essentially blocking that route to non-relief traffic. It seems likely that significant water shortages due to transportation difficulties can be expected over the next few days.