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.
FOOD, WATER AND ICE
MREs and water are still available at New Beginning Life Center, the Salvation Army, Masaryktown Community Center, and First United Methodist Church in Brooksville (for those in shelters only). Food and water will be available from the Masaryktown Community Center from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. The center will be closed Sunday.
HOT MEALS
The Salvation Army will serve food at its facility at 15464 Cortez Blvd. from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4:30 to 6 p.m. today and from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday
SPECIAL NEEDS EVACUEES
Residents with serious medical problems do not need to register for spaces in special needs shelters. If Hurricane Ivan hits Hernando County, special needs residents should contact the county only if they do not have transportation to the special needs shelters.
BLOOD DRIVE
The LifeSouth Community Blood Center needs donations of blood because of Frances' effects and the threat of Hurricane Ivan. LifeSouth officials reported a loss of more than 500 pints of blood because of closed centers and canceled blood drives, and they estimate that by week's end they will have collected 1,000 units less than expected. To help, local businesses will host several blood drives with the local center's bloodmobile:
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Chili's, 3085 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. Donors will receive complimentary chips and salsa.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 18, Steak 'N Shake, 4305 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. Donors will receive a coupon for a double steakburger.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 24, A&W/Long John Silver's, 2440 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. Donors will receive a coupon for a free root beer float or chili-cheese fries.
LifeSouth is at 12395 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 103 pounds and show a valid photo ID. For information, call 596-2002.
NO SWIMMING
If you're a hurricane victim who has been bathing in the Withlacoochee River, the Southwest Florida Water Management District says you should probably stop. Some residents along the river have noticed a bad smell and have seen dead fish floating. Swiftmud spokesman Mike Molligan says it's the regular end-of-summer fishkill, made worse by the flooding from Frances. Normally at the end of the summer, heavy rains push organic material from the swamps into the river, and that material decomposes. The decomposition tends to rob the water of its dissolved oxygen. Without oxygen in the water, fish die. The torrential downpour from Frances "is exacerbating the normal cycle," Molligan said. Although there's nothing acidic or corrosive or poisonous in the water, he said, it's probably not a good idea to go splashing around in the river now. "You got a bunch of organic material decomposing in the water, with bacteria causing that. I would stay out of it."
DEBRIS COLLECTION AND REMOVAL
Hernando County has contracted with a local contractor to collect vegetative debris from county road rights of way beginning next week. Residents must take the debris to the roadside 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. 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 must be disposed of as normal. Residents should not block drainage culverts with debris Drainage problems are being made worse because of this situation. Meanwhile, the county has two daytime drop-off locations for vegetative debris. Residents can dump debris at Jenkins Creek Park on Shoal Line Boulevard and at the entrance of the Weeki Wachee Nature Preserve on Osowaw Boulevard.
ROAD CLOSINGS:
Rackley Road (near Saturn) - road under water
Jasmine Road - road under water
Citrus Way - trees on power lines
Boston Avenue - power line across road
OUTAGES
To report outages, Progress Energy Florida customers should call toll free at 1-800-228-8485. Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative customers should call (352) 596-4000 or (352) 567-5133.
FEDERAL AID
The 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 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 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.
RELIEF DRIVE
A relief drive hosted by Zippy Records Inc. for victims of Frances and the threat of Hurricane Ivan ends today. Donations of items such as food, ice, water, clothing, flashlights, cigarettes, etc., can be dropped off from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. today in the AutoZone parking lot on Spring Hill Drive, just east of Commercial Way, Spring Hill. The items will be brought south for those most in need. For information, call Daniel at 232-3606 or Jaci at 263-6478 or send e-mail to zippyrecordsinc@mail.com TRAIL CLOSED
Because of 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.
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. Sandbags are still available at the Brooksville Fire Department and the Ridge Manor Community Center.
Projected path