St. Lucie Public Schools will continue to share information to support awareness of Hurricane Irma’s progression, provide updates to aid residents in preparedness, and contribute to the unification of messages disseminated from the emergency operations channels of St. Lucie County.
Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017
News Release #224-17
St. Lucie County
2300 Virginia Ave.
Fort Pierce, Fla. 34982
For more information, contact:
Erick Gill, Communications Division Director
772-462-1791 / gille@stlucieco.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Lucie County Makes Plans for Hurricane Irma, Urges Residents To Do the Same
ST. LUCIE COUNTY – While the exact impact that Hurricane Irma will have on St. Lucie County is still unknown, the county’s Emergency Management staff has been monitoring and preparing for this storm since Sunday. All St. Lucie County residents are strongly urged to do the same.
Hurricane Irma isn’t expected to impact St. Lucie County until this weekend, but as a precautionary measure – if shelters are needed – St. Lucie County Public Schools will be closed Thursday, Sept. 7 and Friday, Sept. 8. St. Lucie County has identified local schools to be used as shelters, including for the first time – a pet-friendly shelter. Decisions on local government closings and shelter openings will be made at a later time.
If residents are able and have the means, they should evacuate now, as all of South Florida will be in the storm’s path and highways could become congested as the storm draws near.
Residents with special medical needs are encouraged to pre-register at www.stlucieco.gov/eoc.
Garbage collection will continue through the week, but residents and businesses are asked to no longer put out yard debris and tree limbs to prevent these materials from becoming projectiles and blocking drains.
If Hurricane Irma continues its current path, St. Lucie County expects to fully active its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Friday. Once the EOC is fully activated, 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. St. Lucie County’s Information Hotline, 772-460-HELP (4357), will become activated on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 10 a.m.
St. Lucie County Commissioners approved a local State of Emergency Declaration Tuesday evening; while Florida Gov. Scott issues a statewide declaration on Monday.
For more information about the St. Lucie County’s preparations and precautionary measures visit: www.stlucieco.gov/hurricane or on social media @StLucieGov.