Hurricane Irma Advisory #6
September 8, 2017, 1:00 PM
Contact: Shyanne Helms, 772.467.3034
HURRICANE IRMA INFORMATION HOTLINE: 772-460-HELP (4357)
Website: cityoffortpierce.com
Facebook: facebook.com/ftpierce
Twitter: twitter.com/Ft_Pierce
Residents should be making their final preparations for Hurricane Irma today. As of Friday afternoon at 1:00 p.m., here is the latest information:
Schools Closed Through Monday
St. Lucie Public Schools and District Offices will remain closed on Monday, September 11, 2017. Many schools are serving a vital role as shelters for displaced residents. Please continue to depend on the SLPS web page, social media outlets, School Messenger, and our local media partners for updates.
Parking Garage
The city downtown parking garage is now closed. Please do not enter the garage, it is full. If vehicles are illegally parked, they will be towed.
City Hall to Remain Closed Monday
City Hall will remain closed on Monday, September 11, 2017.
South Bridge (Seaway Drive)
South Bridge will remain open to Hutchinson Island residents and business-owners until conditions deteriorate. The City of Fort Pierce cannot speculate exactly when that will occur. City officials are urging residents to heed the mandatory evacuation beginning today at 3:00 PM for the barrier islands, low-lying areas and manufactured homes. To determine if you are located in an evacuation zone, please visit: http://www.stlucieco.gov/home/showdocument?id=5972
Garbage
Garbage collection will continue through today, Friday, Sept. 8. 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 now that a Hurricane Watch has been issued.
Residents are reminded to secure their trash and recycling carts before the storm. They can become projectiles in wind events.
Evacuations
Mandatory evacuations will be issued for residents on North & South Hutchinson Island, in low-laying areas and those living in manufactured homes, starting today at 3 p.m. Once residents leave those areas, they will not be allowed re-entry until the storm passes and public safety official have cleared the roads. For a maps of shelters and evacuations routes visit: www.stlucieco.gov/hurricane
Mayor Linda Hudson urges residents to heed the evacuation warnings, watch the video here: https://youtu.be/ku0gcmrZ5vE
Shelters
St. Lucie County will open the special needs shelter on today, 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.
The schedule for openings has been revised: Four general population shelters will open today, Friday, Sept. 8 at 3 p.m. including:
- 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.
- Treasure Coast High School, 1000 SW Darwin Blvd. Port St. Lucie.
- Westgate K-8 School, 1050 NE Cashmere Blvd., Port St. Lucie.
- Fort Pierce Central High School, 4101 South 25th Street, Fort Pierce.
The rest of the general population shelters will open on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 9 a.m.:
- Chester A Moore Elementary, 827 N 29th Street, Fort Pierce
- Floresta Elementary, 1501 SE Floresta Drive, Port St Lucie
- Lakewood Park Elementary, 7800 Indrio Road, Fort Pierce.
- Morningside Elementary, 2300 SE Gowin Dr, Port St Lucie.
- Oak Hammock Elementary, 1251 SW California Blvd, Port St Lucie.
- Parkway Elementary School, 7000 NW Selvitz Rd, Port St Lucie.
- Samuel S. Gaines Academy, 2250 S Jenkins Rd, Fort Pierce.
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.
Gas
The Governor recommends that residents download the "GasBuddy" app on their cell phone to locate fuel at gas stations in their area. (www.gasbuddy.com). There is also a toll-free hotline to locate gas: 800-204-2418
EOC
St. Lucie County went into a Level 1 (full) activation at 8:00 a.m. today and will continue until the storm passes. EOC updates will be provided on WQCS 88.9 FM and on the county’s Facebook pages at 8 a.m., noon and 5 p.m. Information Hotline, 772-460-HELP (4357), will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8. The City of Fort Pierce will continue to share this information as it becomes available.
Power Outages Expected
Please watch this video for helpful power outage tips from the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority: http://bit.ly/2gPDVq6
Meetings/Cancellations
Please be advised of the following cancellation and rescheduled City Commission meetings due to the impending storm:
1) CeeCee Ross Lyles 9/11 Memorial Recognition has been cancelled.
2) Budget Hearing – 1st Reading of Ordinance has been rescheduled to Monday, 9/18/17 at 6:30 PM, a regular meeting
3) Budget Hearing – 2nd Reading of Ordinance has been rescheduled to Monday, 9/25/17 at 5:05 PM, a special meeting
4) Special FPRA Meeting - Budget Hearing has been rescheduled to Monday, 9/18/17 at 5:45 PM