By Times Staff Writer
Published September 10, 2004
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
HERNANDO COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTER: 754-4083 or visit the Hernando County Emergency Management Web site at www.co.hernando.fl.us/em For recorded updates by phone, call 754-4111.
Tune to cable Channel 19 for live updates from the Emergency Operations Center and other useful information on evacuation and shelters. Do not call 911 for hurricane information. The 911 line is reserved for life-threatening emergencies only.
OUTAGES
To report outages, Progress Energy Florida customers should call 1-800-228-8485. Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative customers should call (352) 596-4000 or (352) 567-5133.
FEDERAL AID
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has coordinated with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers to establish a program called Operation Blue Roof to help residents whose property was damaged by Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Frances. Under this program, contractors approved, dispatched and paid by the Corps can provide temporary roof repairs to residential and some other noncommercial structures at no cost to the homeowner. Homeowners must sign a form in advance allowing the contractors on their property. Because of the widespread destruction in Florida, there is a backlog in getting to this area. It is recommended that Hernando County residents call the following toll-free number immediately to register for the program: 1-888-766-3258.
ROAD CLOSURES
The following roads are closed:
Rackley Road (near Saturn) - road under water
Jasmine Road - road under water
Citrus Way - trees on power lines
Boston Avenue - power line across road
FOOD, WATER AND ICE
MREs (meals ready to eat) and water are still available at New Beginning Life Center, the Salvation Army, Ridge Manor Community Center, Masaryktown Sheriff's Sub-Station, the Masaryktown Community Center and First United Methodist Church in Brooksville (for those in shelters only). SunTrust will distribute free ice at its service center on Broad Street in Brooksville beginning at 11 a.m. today.
DEBRIS COLLECTION
Hernando County has contracted with a local contractor to collect vegetative debris from county road rights of way beginning early next week. Residents must take the debris to the roadsides and create two piles - one with large, heavy tree branches and the other with smaller branches. Two collections will be made - one for the small piles and the second for the large items. The contractor will collect only from the rights of way and will not go onto private property under any circumstances. This service will be provided for all residents at no cost, regardless of whether they receive trash collection service. No household trash or other nonvegetative items are to be placed in these piles. Those items are not included in this process and must be disposed of as you normally do.
CLEANUP
Residents are advised that if a tree fell on their house, they need to contact their insurance company and a tree removal contractor. To avoid unlicensed contractors, please ask for proof of insurance and licenses before allowing a contractor to remove damaged trees. If there are questions regarding contractors, licensing, or permitting, call the Hernando County Development Department at (352) 754-4050.
TRAIL CLOSED
Due to Hurricane Frances, the Hernando County Parks Department will close the Suncoast Bike Trail from County Line Road to U.S 98 for maintenance. The department does not know how long it will take to complete the work. For information, call 754-4027.
TOLLS
Tolls were reinstated effective at 10 p.m. Thursday on the Suncoast Parkway, Veterans Expressway, Selmon Crosstown Expressway, Sunshine Skyway Bridge and the Pinellas Bayway in the Tampa Bay area.
TELEPHONE SERVICE
As BellSouth works to restore telephone service for customers, the company is implementing emergency programs to help those affected by Hurricane Frances stay in touch with family members, friends and customers. To make sure customers receive calls or messages wherever they are, BellSouth is offering call forwarding, voice mail service and MemoryCall Service free for 30 days to customers who have been affected by the storm. These services will enable customers to have their calls forwarded to another number or a voice mailbox. Callers can leave messages, and customers can retrieve them from another number. Connection charges for these services will also be waived. After this period of free use, regular rates will apply. BellSouth is also waiving initial service connection charges for customers who have relocated due to extensive damage to their homes or businesses. For more information about these services or to place a request, customers may call toll free: 1-888-757-6500 (residential customers), 1-866-620-6000 (business customers), and 1-888-707-2840 (Spanish-language residential customers).
SANDBAGS AVAILABLE
County officials are delivering sandbags to several places for those concerned about Hurricane Ivan. They can be picked up at Hernando Beach Fire and Spring Hill Fire station No. 2. Also, sandbags are still available at the Brooksville Fire Department and the Ridge Manor Community Center.
