(Brooksville, FL) The following information is being provided from the Hernando County Emergency Operations Center:
Approximately 10,000 people living in the evacuation zones A and B are under a mandatory evacuation notice. First responders will not respond to calls as soon as winds reach 50 mph or if other extreme dangerous conditions exist
All county parks are closed.
Monday Office Closures
All county offices closed Monday Sept. 11, including libraries (late fees are being waived during this time)
No garbage service Monday. No landfill, recycling or trash pick-up
Preparedness
Remember to fill up bathtubs before power goes out as a means of a water reserve: to drink, flush toilets, etc.
If you have a pool, use pool water first to flush toilets
Have flashlight, batteries, and documents on hand
Back-up computer on external hard drives to secure personal records
Safety precautions
Only run generators outside. Exhaust from generators create carbon monoxide which is lethal
Do not use charcoal or gas grill under patio covers or inside garages
Do not use candles for indoor lighting
Do not run vehicles in the garage to generate power
Shelter information:
The 6th hurricane shelter is open in Hernando. Hernando County has already sheltered 325 residents and is anticipating additional demand as the storm approaches. On Saturday, September 9, at 8 a.m., an additional shelter located at West Hernando Middle School, 14325 Ken Austin Parkway in Brooksville, opened.
Other shelter locations:
• Challenger K-8 School of Sciences and Mathematics
13400 Elgin Blvd., Spring Hill, FL 34609
Designated special needs shelter
• D.S. Parrott Middle School
19220 Youth Dr., Brooksville, FL 34601
Designated pet-friendly shelter
• Explorer K-8
10252 Northcliffe Blvd., Spring Hill, 34608
• Hernando High School
700 Bell Ave., Brooksville, 34601, Brooksville, FL 34601
• Nature Coast Technical High School
4057 California St., Spring Hill, FL 34604
Tips for shelter residents
• Bring identification.
• Eat prior to arrival. The first meal will be dinner.
• Bring air mattress or sleeping bag, cots will not be provided.
• Bring medicines, blanket/sheet, snacks, water and personal hygiene products.
• Call the special needs registry at (352) 754-4083 to request transportation.
• Make every effort to carpool due to limited parking at schools.
• The Challenger K-8 special needs shelter does not accept pets unless they are certified service animals. If you are evacuating to the special needs shelter and have a pet(s), Hernando County Animal Control will transport your pet(s) to Hernando County Animal Services. Please call (352) 754-6830 to arrange transportation of your pet(s).
EOC Weather Alert – Hurricane Irma #10
SITUATION
Sept. 8 2017- Hernando County is now under a Hurricane Watch. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
This morning, Hernando County issued a mandatory evacuation order for coastal zones A and B, as well as mobile homes countywide. In addition, this evening that evacuation order has been extended to all areas west of U.S. 19. Residents in these areas should evacuate in a safe manner.
Seek safe shelter with family or friends that reside in a safe structure. Shelters are also available at the following locations:
• Challenger K-8 School of Sciences and Mathematics: 13400 Elgin Blvd. Spring Hill, FL 34609
• D.S. Parrott Middle School: 19220 Youth Dr. Brooksville, FL 34601
• Explorer K-8: 10252 Northcliffe Blvd. Spring Hill, FL 34608
• Hernando High School: 700 Bell Ave. Brooksville, FL 34601
• Nature Coast Technical High School: 4057 California St. Spring Hill, FL 34604
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
• All residents west of U.S. 19, as well as mobile homes countywide need to evacuate.
• Monitor storm progress at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
• Check emergency supply kits. For more information on stocking your emergency supply kit, visit:
www.hernandocounty.us/em/hurricane-checklists