April 10, 2021 Several hundred residences in the Walnut Hill lost water service as a result of Saturday morning’s storms. A lightning strike destroyed a primary water main at Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s water tower adjacent to their Walnut Hill Office and Ernest Ward Middle School. The leak was isolated, and water service was restored to the area from EREC’s second water tower located across Highway 97 from Ernest Ward. Repairs were to begin as soon as other utilities such as communications lines could be located. A boil water notice notice is in effect for EREC customers that lost water pressure. The area is described as: