By Times Staff Writer
Published September 10, 2004
GENERAL INFORMATION: The county information lines are 746-5470, 527-2106 and 746-6555. Call with storm-related questions. Operators are on duty around the clock. In addition, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., residents can call 527-5500 for information.
SCHOOLS: The public schools will be closed today. Only 12-month school district employees should report for duty. Seven Rivers Christian School and Pope John Paul II School will be open today. DEBRIS PICKUP: Debris cleanup crews, including those contracted by the county, will begin work Sept. 20. All homeowners, including people who live on private roads, and all business owners should bring storm-related vegetative debris (tree limbs, palm fronds, etc.) to the curbside as quickly as possible. While the collection has not been determined, these crews will be collecting from your street only once. If materials are placed after this day, they will not be collected. This service is free.
Do not pile debris on or around mailboxes, water meters, fire hydrants or next to fences, cars, telephone poles or under guide wires. Most debris will be picked up mechanically, and the debris needs to be accessible to prevent damage to other structures. Place debris on the edge of the road pavement; crews will not be authorized to come into yards to remove debris.
Contractors are not authorized to remove normal household garbage, construction debris, appliances or household hazardous waste. If these items are mixed with the vegetative debris, nothing will be picked up. Residents who decide to perform their own cleanup and deliver items to the landfill will be charged the normal prices.
ALTERNATE LANDFILL: The county has established an alternate landfill for vegetation debris and construction debris. To reach it, turn north off State Road 44 onto Maylen Avenue and follow the signs. Maylen is west of County Road 490. The site will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. There is no charge for this service.
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES: The county has opened five distribution points, with a focus on providing water, ice and ready-to-eat meals for residents in need. Dry ice also may be picked up at these sites to assist with food preservation during power outages. All products will be available for as long as supplies last. Here are the locations:
* The Citrus County Chronicle building, 1624 N Meadowcrest Blvd., Crystal River
* Christian Center Church, 7961 W Green Acres St., Homosassa
* Assembly of God Church, 4201 S Pleasant Grove Road. (County Road 581), Inverness
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: County officials are developing a list of damaged structures for the purpose of qualifying for federal assistance and community aid. If you own or rent a structure that has sustained damage as a result of Frances (this includes damage from debris or tree-fall) call the information to the county's Development Services Department at 527-5226. Be prepared to provide your name, a phone number, the address of the structure damaged and a general description of the damage incurred.
UTILITIES: Do not call 911 or the county's information lines.
* Progress Energy: 1-800-228-8485
* SECO: 726-3944
* WREC: 795-4382
Be prepared to provide a numerical address or intersecting street
VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers will be visiting communities around the county to provide names and contact numbers for available resources. For information, or to volunteer, call 527-5390.
HELPING OUT: The United Way of Citrus County and the county's Emergency Operations Center have established a crisis fund to help storm victims. Residents can donate to the fund by mailing checks to the United Way office. The checks should be made out to the Citrus County Crisis Response Fund. The money will be used in Citrus for unmet needs.
Send checks to: Citrus County Crisis Response Fund, c/o The United Way, 5399 W Gulf to Lake Highway, Lecanto, FL 34461-8531.
CITY OF INVERNESS: Because of the power outage, the administration office has temporarily relocated to Whispering Pines Park, 1700 Forest Ave. The telephone number is 726-3913. Building permits, inspections and licensing are suspended until further notice. Unless conditions change, residential and commercial refuse will be collected as normal; no yard waste will be collected at this time. Until power is fully restored, residents are asked to practice conservative use of water and sewerage systems.
COURT: Circuit Judge Ric Howard and County Judge Mark Yerman will not have proceedings today. WHISPERING PINES PARK: The park is temporarily closed. Call the park office for updated scheduling information, 726-3913.
TO REACH THE TIMES: Some of our offices lost electricity and telephone service during the storm. Our Crystal River office is functioning, but the Inverness location still has no electricity or telephones. To reach news, call 564-3621 or 564-3623 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. To reach advertising, call 564-1414. Fax any time at 564-3622. E-mail any time at citrus@sptimes.com Also, if you faxed anything to the Inverness office 860-7320 on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, please assume that we did not receive it, and please refax to 564-3622.
OTHER NUMBERS: * American Red Cross: 1-866-438-4636
* Animal Services: 726-7660
* Florida Highway Patrol: 1-800-500-1240
* Swiftmud: (352) 796-7211
* To report price gouging: 1-800-646-0444
* FEMA: 1-800-621-3362
Sources: News reports, Citrus County Emergency Operations Center.
