City of Port St. Lucie Advisory on Hurricane Dorian UPDATE #5

What: City of Port St. Lucie

When: Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 2 p.m.

Where: City of Port St. Lucie City Hall

Why: Port St. Lucie is committed to ensuring the safety of citizens, and we’re asking residents to prepare with us. Although the track of Hurricane Dorian has shifted to the east, the City of Port St. Lucie is still within the cone of uncertainty as of the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. advisory. City officials are urging residents to stay vigilant and continue to prepare. The National Weather Service has advised residents to “keep their guard up and continue to monitor the storm closely.”

The City’s Emergency Operations Center is currently partially activated. The City has requested emergency resources from the State logistics center in preparation of post storm response. The City continues to work closely with St. Lucie County officials and community partners and will provide status updates as necessary.

Hotlines:

The City has activated its Emergency Operations Hotline. Residents with questions can reach it at 772-873-6382 until 5 p.m. today and between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday. Residents can also call our News Line at 772-873-6397 to hear a recorded message of our latest information.

St. Lucie County’s EOC hotline is 772-460-HELP. Please reserve 911 for emergency calls.

The City has set up a webpage at https://www.cityofpsl.com/dorian where information for residents will be updated frequently. The City’s Facebook page @CityofPSL and the City’s Twitter page, @CityPortStLucie and NextDoor App page also will have up-to-the-minute information.

Please see the following NEW updates from the City:

· The four self-service drop off centers for yard waste are now closed. Waste Pro is operating normal routes Saturday, then services will be suspended until further notice. Code Compliance staff are out in neighborhoods educating residents about securing uncollected debris piles and assisting residents where possible.
· Starting today at 7 a.m., The Port St Lucie Police Department is on 13-hour emergency shifts until further notice. Citizens can expect to see an increased patrol presence in their neighborhoods and businesses as police do their best to protect them and their property.
· The Public Works Department is lowering water levels below control levels to provide capacity for anticipated rain. Due to the saturated ground, localized road flooding may occur with additional rain.
· Drivers should use caution as traffic signal heads on span wires have been removed, leaving the minimum needed to control traffic.
· Port St. Lucie Utility customers are encouraged to watch the following videos, which should answer a variety of questions regarding their service: https://youtu.be/J11MpC74_QU and https://youtu.be/I89BQRwoHmI
· Throughout today, the Building Department will continue to make contact with contractors to ask for sites to be secured. Staff observed Waste Pro and others picking up dumpsters well into the evening hours and many sites cleaned.
· Building Department teams are being prepared for post-storm actions to conduct damage assessments in the city.
Request for building inspections, on permitted work, are currently suspended until further notice.

Shelter Updates:

Check with St. Lucie County for shelter opening times. The St. Lucie County Emergency Information Hotline is 772-460-HELP (4357).

As of noon Saturday, the county reports the following. However, this information is subject to change at their 5 p.m. update:

· At 10 a.m. Sunday, the Special Needs will open, please click here to preregister for this shelter.

· At 1 p.m. Sunday, the following shelters will open:

o Westwood High School (pet friendly) click here to pre-register

o Treasure Coast High School

o Lakewood Park Elementary

o Fort Pierce Central (County and Constitutional employees shelter)

Cancellations and Rescheduling of Classes, Events, Workshops:

· PSL Civic Center Recreation & Humana Fitness & Wellness Center – Remain closed to the public and all events, programs and classes are canceled through Tuesday, September 3, 2019.
· PSL Community Center and Community Fitness & Wellness Center – Remain closed to the public and all events, programs and classes are canceled through Tuesday, September 3, 2019
· City Community Parks – All pre-storm preparation has been completed. All park gates and restroom facilities are locked.
· City Neighborhood Parks – All pre-storm preparation will be completed by the end of day today, Saturday, August 31, 2019. All park gates and restroom facilities are locked.
· Important Message-City Boating Facilities (C-24 Canal Park, Oak Hammock Park and Veterans at Rivergate Park):
The gates will remain open and unlocked until further notice at each of the three boating facilities cited above, to allow residents to retrieve their boats and for residents to have access to the boat ramps.
· Robert E. Minsky Gymnasium – remains closed to the public and all events, programs and classes are canceled through Tuesday, September 3, 2019.
· The Saints at PSL Golf Course – course is closed to the public. Staff will complete pre-storm activities by the end of the day today, Saturday, August 31, 2019. The onsite concessionaire, the 19^th Hole, is also closed to the public.