The City of Fort Pierce continues to closely monitor Hurricane Irma and is exhausting all efforts to ensure that our city is ready for potential impacts, we urge residents to do the same.
As of Thursday morning at 9:30 am, here is the latest information:
Barrier Island Re-Entry Program: With all county offices closed today, the last chance for residents to get a barrier island re-entry placard is from 9 am to noon today at the Fire Station #8 on SOUTH HUTCHINSON ISLAND near Jensen Beach, 7583 S. Ocean Drive (A1A). To receive this placard, each resident must produce two forms of proof that they reside on the barrier island such as a utility bill with a local address along with a local driver’s license. One placard is issued for each household.
Shelters: St. Lucie County will open the special needs shelter on Friday, Sept. 8 at 9 a.m., which is located at the Havert L. Fenn Center, 2000 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce. Residents planning to use the special needs shelter must pre-register at www.stlucieco.gov/eoc
Eight general population shelters will open on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 9 a.m.:
- Westwood High School, 1801 Angle Road, Fort Pierce, which will also serve as a pet-friendly shelter. Residents need to bring crates for their pets, as well as food, water and litter. All pets must have up-to-date vaccinations. Pets, along with their owners, will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Fort Pierce Central High School, 4101 South 25th Street, Fort Pierce.
- Treasure Coast High School, 1000 SW Darwin Blvd. Port St. Lucie.
- Westgate K-8 School, 1050 NE Cashere Blvd., Port St. Lucie.
- Lakewood Park Elementary, 7800 Indrio Road, Fort Pierce,
- Oak Hammock Elementary, 1251 SW California Blvd, Port St Lucie.
- Samuel S. Gaines Academy, 2250 S Jenkins Rd, Fort Pierce.
- Parkway Elementary School, 7000 NW Selvitz Rd, Port St Lucie.
· Residents are reminded that shelters are places of last resort. Those planning to stay at a shelter should bring food, water, blankets, pillows and medications.
Evacuations: There are no mandatory evacuations at this time. However voluntary evacuations are encouraged, especially for mobile homes, low-laying areas and the barrier islands.
Communication: The City of Fort Pierce is working closely with St. Lucie County Public Safety and community partners to provide residents with updated information as it becomes available. Residents are encouraged to keep their phones charged and stay tuned to advisories on the City of Fort Pierce website, city social media pages and Fort Pierce TV Channel 27.
Solid Waste: Now is not the time to do major yard work and we are asking residents to please refrain from cutting down whole trees or doing major projects until the storm passes. Residents should not place any debris at the curb after a Hurricane Watch or Warning is issued.
- Trash Collection will remain as regularly scheduled on Thursday and Friday.
- Residents should secure their garbage and recycling carts before the storm.
Fort Pierce Utilities Authority: This storm is capable of causing widespread power outages and property damage. At this time, Fort Pierce Utilities Authority continues to prepare for the upcoming storm, securing buildings, vehicles and property. FPUA Customer Service lobby will be open until 5 pm on Thursday, September 7th. All FPUA offices will be closed on Friday, September 8th. As information changes, updates will be available on FPUA’s website at www.FPUA.com
- Create a hurricane survival kit that includes: first aid supplies; water (at least one gallon/person/day); batteries; flashlights; battery powered radio; manual can opener; prescriptions; baby food and diapers; pet food; canned foods; cash; tarps; rope; bleach; trash bags; charcoal or gas grill with plenty of fuel; wooden kitchen matches; and a portable cooler. Don’t forget a hard-wire, corded phone; cordless phones will not work during a power outage.
- Following a power outage, unplug all your large appliances and electronics to prevent power surges when electricity is restored, which can often damage equipment and create fire hazards.
- Remember the “three don’ts” when using generators: DON’T run a generator in the house; DON’T run a generator in the garage; and, DON’T plug the generator directly into your home’s main electrical system. The first two can lead to asphyxiation and the third can send an electrical charge back into the power grid, posing an electrocution hazard to utility workers. DO run the generator outside in a well ventilated area and DO plug individual appliances directly into the generator.
- If your home is flooded, turn off your electrical power until a professional inspects it thoroughly.
- If you smell gas evacuate immediately and call FPUA’s emergency phone number at 772-466-7703.
- NEVER use a grill, gas or charcoal, inside your home. Only use outdoors in a well ventilated area.
- Make sure you have current identification. You might have to pass through identification check points before being allowed access to your home or neighborhood.
- After the storm, check to see if your home’s weatherhead is damaged – it is located above the electric meter where the wires come out of the pipe. Utility workers cannot reconnect service if this piece of equipment – which is the homeowner’s responsibility – is damaged. If your weatherhead needs repair, please contact a licensed electrician.
- FPUA often cannot respond to individual customers with special needs during or immediately after a storm. When warned of an incoming storm, have a plan in place for evacuating people with special needs.
- Capture water in your water heater by turning off power to the unit and closing the water valves. If you lose water pressure, you will have about 40 gallons of fresh water stored in the tank. Store additional water in your bathtub and fill the washing machine with water. This water supply can be used for cleaning or to operate your toilets.
- Clear your patio and yard of lawn furniture, toys, potted plants, and other debris that can blow around in high winds, causing damage or injury. Bring these items indoors or place them in a garage. Never
- Prior to the storm, identify the places around your home where you can shut off your gas, water and electricity. In an emergency, you might need to turn them off quickly.
- If you lose water service or experience a drop in water pressure during or after the storm, boil all tap water used for drinking or cooking for the next 48 hours (or use bottled water).
- Report broken sewer or water lines to FPUA’s emergency numbers – 772-466-7703.
- Don’t touch loose or dangling wires. Call FPUA’s emergency number, 772-466-7703 to report damage to utility lines or poles.
Transit: The Treasure Coast Connector fixed route service will run a regular service on Thursday, Sept. 7 and Friday, Sept. 8 – unless winds require that the vehicles to be taken off the road. At this time, service is not expected to be available Saturday, Sept. 9. With regard to demand/response, regular service has been canceled for Thursday and Friday and trips for dialysis will only be provided on those days and will be available for special needs transport as directed.
EOC: The EOC will go to Level 2 Activation (partial activation) Thursday morning, and Level 1 Activation (full activation) Friday morning.
Fort Pierce City Marina: The Fort Pierce City Marina is advising tenants to relocate their vessels. Fort Pierce City Marina may disconnect electricity and water supply as deemed necessary prior to the storm. Questions related to the marina can be directed to 772-464-1245 or the evening phone 772-979-4019.
Inspections: The City of Fort Pierce will be suspending regular inspections until after the storm passes.
City Hall is closed to the public today and tomorrow.
We will provide additional information as it becomes available.