Escambia Bay facts for kids
Escambia Bay is a beautiful bay located in the western part of the Florida Panhandle. It stretches across two counties: Escambia and Santa Rosa. The city of Pensacola is on its western side, while the town of Milton is found at the northeastern end. Both Pensacola and Milton are important towns, serving as the main administrative centers (called county seats) for their counties.
What makes Escambia Bay a bit special is how it connects to the bigger ocean. It links up with Pensacola Bay to its southeast, which then leads out to the Gulf of Mexico. The main river that flows into Escambia Bay, bringing fresh water, is the Escambia River.
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Exploring Escambia Bay
Escambia Bay is a large body of water that plays an important role in the local environment and for the communities around it. It's a place where fresh water from the Escambia River mixes with salty water from the Gulf of Mexico. This mix creates a special habitat for many different kinds of plants and animals.
A Look at the Bay's History
Over the years, Escambia Bay has seen some significant events. These events show how powerful nature can be and how important safety is.
The National Airlines Flight 193 Event
On May 8, 1978, a Boeing 727 airplane, operating as National Airlines Flight 193, had an accident. It crashed into Escambia Bay while trying to land at Pensacola Regional Airport. There were 58 people on board the plane. This event was a sad moment for the community.
Hurricane Ivan's Impact
In September 2004, a very strong storm called Hurricane Ivan hit the area. The hurricane caused a huge storm surge from the Gulf of Mexico. A storm surge is like a giant wall of water pushed onto land by the storm's winds. This powerful surge washed away a big part of the Interstate 10 Escambia Bay Bridge. This bridge is a major road that crosses the bay. It was a big challenge for the region to rebuild such an important connection.
