The most important thing to do is make a plan before a storm is in the forecast. Know what to pack in your emergency kits, where to ride out the storm if your homes aren’t safe and what to do after it’s passed.

Groveland Police, Fire and Public Works teams train year-round to prepare for emergencies, and are ready to respond if severe weather impacts the community. 

For tips, evacuation information, shelter locations, emergency contacts and links to additional resources, visit Emergency Management web page.

In Groveland, emergency management is a team effort led by Deputy Fire Chief Erich Thiemann. As Groveland’s official Emergency Management Coordinator, Erich oversees efforts to prepare for and withstand storms and other natural disasters and operates the city’s Emergency Operations Center. Each year, he works closely with federal, state and county agencies to ensure planning and activation are coordinated and aligned.

Sign up for AlertLake, Lake County’s free emergency notification system, to receive important updates about severe weather, evacuations, road closures and other public safety emergencies by text, phone or email. Register at AlertLake.com.

10 Essentials For Your Emergency Kit

Don’t wait until a storm is approaching … build your kit now. Be sure to check expiration dates and keep everything in an easy-to-carry container if you need to evacuate quickly.

 Water – At least one gallon per person, per day, for three days

 Nonperishable Food – Enough for every member of your household, including pets

 Medications – A week’s supply of prescriptions, plus basic first-aid supplies

 Flashlights & Extra Batteries – Avoid using candles whenever possible

 Cell Phone Chargers – Include portable battery packs or power banks

 Important Documents – Copies of insurance policies, identification, medical information and emergency contacts stored in a waterproof container

 Weather Radio – A battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio for updates if power and cell service are unavailable

 Cash – Small bills, since ATMs and credit card systems may not be working

 Personal & Pet Supplies – Hygiene items, diapers if needed, pet food, leashes, medications and comfort items

 Basic Tools – A multi-tool, duct tape, work gloves and a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities if necessary

Local Shelters Might Be Your Best Option

For some of us, one of the most dangerous decisions we make is to ride out a storm at home. Older homes often weren’t built to withstand hurricane-force winds, and homes with existing damage or leaking roofs are unsafe during a storm. If you find yourself in this situation, protect your family and your pets by moving to a county shelter operated by Lake County Emergency Management.

General Population Shelters

• East Ridge High School: 13322 Excalibur Road, Clermont
• East Ridge Middle School: 13201 Excalibur Road, Clermont

Special Needs & Pet Friendly Shelter

• Lost Lake Elementary School: 1901 Johns Lake Road, Clermont

Pet Friendly

• • Mascotte Elementary School: 460 Midway Avenue, Mascotte

Before You Go:

 Confirm your shelter is open before leaving home through:

• Lake County Emergency Management Facebook Page
• Text: sign up for AlertLake 
• Phone: call Lake County Citizens Information Line: (352) 253-9999

 Bring medications, identification, bedding, clothing, chargers, important documents and personal hygiene items

 If bringing pets, bring a carrier or crate, food, water and proof of current rabies vaccination

Need Storm Debris Pick-Up?

Please Be Patient.

If your yard is littered with tree limbs and branches, or you have to clean out after flooding, the city will help you haul it away. But it’ll require some work and a little patience on your part.

Here’s a guide to managing post-storm debris:

1. Report hazards immediately.

If you see downed power lines or trees blocking a roadway, call 911 and stay indoors until crews give the all-clear. 

2. Separate your debris.

Separating debris helps crews collect it more quickly, so create separate piles for:

• Tree limbs, leaves, shrubs
• Construction materials (fencing, drywall, carpet, etc.)
• Appliances and electronics
• Household garbage

3. Place debris at the curb.

Move debris to the edge of your property near the roadway. Keep it out of the street, off sidewalks and away from fire hydrants, mailboxes, utility poles and storm drains.

4. Be patient.

Storm debris collection takes time. Our crews begin by clearing roads so emergency vehicles can travel safely, then move into neighborhoods for debris collection. Depending on the size of the storm, cleanup may take several weeks.

5. Stay informed.

Groveland will share collection schedules, contractor updates and other recovery information on  Facebook Page and website. 

The post The City Of Groveland Urges Preparedness This Hurricane Season appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

» Alerts and forecast

Hurricane Knowledge

First, know your hurricane facts and understand common terms used during hurricane forecasts. Storm conditions can vary on the intensity, size and even the angle at which the tropical cyclone approaches your area, so you must understand what the forecasters and news reporters are telling you.

Tropical Depressions are cyclones with winds of 38 mph. Tropical Storms vary in wind speeds from 39-73 mph while Hurricanes have winds 74 mph and greater. Typically the upper right quadrant of the storm (the center wrapping around the eye) is the most intense portion of the storm. The greatest threats are damaging winds, storm surges and flooding. This is in part why Hurricane Katrina was so catastrophic when bringing up to 28-foot storm surges onto the Louisiana and Mississippi coastlines.

Here are some important terms you may hear:

• Tropical Storm Watch: Tropical storm conditions are possible in the area.
• Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions are possible in the area.
  Watches are issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical storm-force winds.
• Tropical Storm Warning: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the area.
• Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions are expected in the area.
  Warnings are issued 36 hours in advance of tropical storm force winds.
• Eye: Clear, sometimes well-defined center of the storm with calmer conditions.
• Eye Wall: Surrounding the eye, contains some of the most severe weather of the storm with the highest wind speed and largest precipitation.
• Rain Bands: Bands coming off the cyclone produce severe weather conditions such as heavy rain, wind and tornadoes.
• Storm Surge: An often underestimated and deadly result of ocean water swelling as a result of a landfalling storm, and quickly flooding coastal and sometimes areas further inland.

During a watch, prepare your home and evacuation plan in case a warning is issued. During a warning, carefully follow the directions of officials, and immediately leave the area if they advise it. In the event of an Extreme Wind Warning/Advisory, which means that extreme sustained winds of 115 mph or greater are expected to begin within an hour, immediately take shelter in the interior portion of a well-built structure.

Hurricane Forecasts

Predicting a tropical cyclone’s path can be challenging; many global and local factors come into play. The storm’s size and path can directly influence what sort of wind patterns guide, enhance or hinder its growth, and vice versa! Forecasters have computers that take huge amounts of data and try to predict where the storm will go and usually can calculate 2-3 days out fairly accurately. This is where you hear the terms computer models and spaghetti models being used. Generally, the forecast track or path is given with the average consensus of these models. The National Hurricane Center has the most up-to-date information on tropical cyclone developments, forecasts and weather alerts, discussions analyzing the data and more. https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Hurricane Names

Hurricane names are picked randomly, then rotated and recycled every 6 years. If a hurricane was catastrophic or severely deadly and costly (i.e. Charlie, Katrina, Irene) it is officially retired since use is not appropriate and can be confusing when naming current storms. To view the current list of tropical cyclone names click here: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml

Hurricane Kits

It is important to create a kit of supplies that you could take with you if you are forced to evacuate. This kit will also be useful if you are able to stay in your home, but are still affected by the storm, such as through the loss of power. One common trend seen when hurricanes are approaching is a wide-spread panic. When this happens, people rush in large numbers to get all the supplies they think they need. However, if you prepare your kit ahead of time, you can alleviate a lot of the potential stress of a very chaotic situation. You should create your kit in a bag that you can easily take with you. Some recommended items to include are:

• Non-perishable food (enough to last at least 3 days)
• Water (enough to last at least 3 days)
• First-aid kit (include any prescription medication you may need)
• Personal hygiene items and sanitation items
• Flashlights (have extra batteries on hand)
• Battery-operated radio (again, have extra batteries)
• Waterproof container with cash and important documents
• Manual can opener
• Lighter or matches
• Books, magazines, games for recreation
• Special needs items: pet supplies and baby supplies if applicable
• Cooler and ice packs
• A plan for evacuation and for if family members are separated

Securing Your Home

Know how to secure your home in the event of damaging winds, storm surge and flooding.

• Cover all of your windows, either with hurricane shutters or wood.
• Although tape can prevent glass from shattering everywhere, be warned that tape does not prevent the window from breaking.
• If possible, secure straps or clips to securely fasten your roof to the structure of your home.
• Make sure all trees and shrubs are trimmed and clear rain gutters.
• Reinforce your garage doors.
• Bring in all outdoor furniture, garbage cans, decorations, and anything else that is not tied down.
• If winds become strong, stay away from windows and doors and close, secure and brace internal doors.

Power Outages

In the event a storm should leave you without power, there are a few things to consider and help you be ready and stay safe outside of your normal hurricane preparedness.

• Gas: Make sure your tank is full far in advance of an approaching storm. Most people wait until the last minute, and rush to get extra gas for cars and generators, and subsequently gas stations can run out early.
• ATMS: Have extra cash on hand in the event no ATMS in your area are accessible or working.
• Cell Phones: Charge your cell phone and limit use after power is out.
• A/C: This can be the most uncomfortable side effect of losing power during a storm. Try to prevent as much light from entering and warming the house by covering up your windows on the inside. If you have back-up or battery-operated fans, don’t run them unless you are in the room. Fans create a difference in perceived temperature but do not cool the room; instead they create a cooling effect by dispersing the heat off your skin. It is said they can add heat to a room just by running.
• Water: Fill bathtub and large containers with water for washing and flushing only.
• Food: Turn your fridge temperature down and/or freeze any food or drinking water that can be frozen if you expect a power outage. Here is a guide on freezing food: Freezing and Food Safety. Have a cooler with ice packs prepared to cool your drinks and snacks after power has been out for more than 4 hours. And importantly, check out this food safety guide for when to discard your perishable food: https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/food-safety-during-power-outage
• Health/Safety: The CDC has a great guide on how to stay safe in the event of a power outage: Power Outages

Remember, any severe storm can be deadly and destructive. If you’ve survived a landfilling cyclone, you know the inconvenience and distress it can cause. One of the best tips to be prepared is to know the cycle of a cyclone – Approach, Arrival & Aftermath. Prepare ahead of time and listen to the directions of officials for the approach. Secure your home, or find a safe shelter for its arrival, and know how to proceed safely during the aftermath.

Hurricane article and material provided by Christine Harrison, Google, NOAA, and CDC

The post Hurricane Preparedness – Now Is The Time To Get Ready appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

In Lake County, potential hazards may include heavy rainfall, winds gust, inland flooding and isolated tornadoes. Some hazards may come with little to no warning. Residents are encouraged to develop a family communication plan, decide on a meeting location during an emergency, and prepare a disaster go-kit to include important personal, medical and legal documents.

Sandbag locations

Sandbags will be made available at five Lake County locations on Monday, July 5 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Residents must bring their own shovels and are limited to 10 bags of sand per household. No tools will be provided at sand deployment sites and residents are responsible for filling their own sandbags. Sandbags will only be offered during designated times before a storm threat. No sandbags will be dispensed during storm conditions.

Astor Area (Fire Station #10)
23023 State Road 40, Astor, FL 32102

East Lake Sports and Community Complex
24809 Wallick Rd, Sorrento, FL 32776

 P.E.A.R. Park
26701 US Hwy 27, Leesburg, FL 34748

North Lake Regional Park
40730 Roger Giles Rd, Umatilla, FL 32784

 Minneola Athletic Complex
1300 Fosgate Road (13930 Education Ave) Minneola, FL 34715

LakeXpress and Lake County Connection

The County’s fixed-route bus system, LakeXpress, as well as Lake County Connection, the County’s disadvantaged transportation service, will suspend if sustained winds are 37 mph or higher and will resume once storm conditions have subsided. Visit www.ridelakexpress.com for the latest information regarding route changes. 

Get connected, stay connected

To receive emergency notifications, register at www.alertlake.com or text “ALERTLAKE” to 888777. For the latest information regarding Lake County’s response to Tropical Storm Elsa, follow Lake County Emergency Management on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyFLEmergencyManagement.

The post Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) To Activate To Level 2 In Response To Tropical Storm Elsa appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Experts predict a 60% chance of an above-normal hurricane season, with a 30% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season, therefore, Floridians should prepare for a major storm. Lake County Emergency Management is urging residents to take steps now to help keep their families safe during severe weather.

“NOAA is predicting an above-normal hurricane season, so Lake County residents need to starting preparing now,” said Thomas Carpenter, Lake County Emergency Management Director. “It only takes one storm to create a dangerous situation and preparedness is key in protecting life and property.”

In Lake County, hurricane hazards may include heavy rainfall, high winds, inland flooding, and tornadoes. Some hazards may come with little to no warning. Residents are encouraged to develop a family communication plan, decide on a meeting location during an emergency, and prepare a disaster go-kit to include important personal, medical, and legal documents. Residents should also be aware of what to bring to an emergency shelter, including food and water for three days, medication, bedding, and important documents. Pets at pet-friendly shelters must be transported in their own carriers and must be up-to-date on vaccines.

Due to the impacts of COVID-19, Lake County’s emergency shelter plan has been adjusted to allow for recommended social distancing, use of face masks when appropriate, and enhanced cleaning measures.

All residents, especially those living in manufactured homes, should have a safe shelter plan before an emergency strikes, to include access to a friend or relative’s site-built, fortified home 24 hours a day. The County’s emergency shelters are safe and available, but should always be a shelter of last resort.

To be notified quickly of weather emergencies, residents should purchase a battery-powered NOAA weather radio and sign up to receive local notifications, such as those offered through Lake County’s AlertLake Emergency Alert System. Signing up is free, quick, easy and secure at www.alertlake.com, for more information about Alert Lake, view this public service announcement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9FuEPxOECo

For more information about Emergency Management, visit www.lakecountyfl.gov/emergency and follow Emergency Management at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyFLEmergencyManagement and www.twitter.com/lakeemergency.

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Under the Hurricane Irma Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program, Lake County Fire Rescue was awarded a 75% funded project to add backup generators to seven fire stations. The $350,000 grant ($262,500 federal dollars and $87,500 local match) was awarded last year, and installations began this past January at stations 11, 19, 53, 70, 82, 83, and BC90.

“With the first tropical disturbance expected to impact the Florida peninsula this weekend, completing our station generator project is perfect timing,” said Lake County Fire Rescue Chief Jim Dickerson. “For the first time in Lake County Fire Rescue history, all 26 fire stations are equipped with full power backup generators.”

In the past, fire crews had to be relocated when power was interrupted during storms, now all Lake County Fire Rescue stations are storm-ready, and crews can remain in firehouses during severe weather.

Lake County Fire Rescue is also upgrading 20 of its 26 facilities with new impact-resistant windows, high-wind resistant garage doors, and hardened pedestrian doors, funded 75% through federal funds.

The career firefighters of Lake County Fire Rescue protect county residents and visitors in an area covering approximately 1,200 square miles, with nearly 70,000 residences and up to 2,000 commercial properties. For up-to-date news on Lake County Fire Rescue, visit, www.facebook.com/LakeCountyFireRescue orwww.twitter.com/lakefirePIO.

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