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STEVE THOMPSONDecisions on whether to stay or go hang on Ivan's track. People board up and tank up.
He didn't board up for Charley, nor for Frances. But Mark Laird snapped up precious plywood from a Lowe's on Saturday in the face of Ivan.
"I think No. 3 gets you thinking a little bit," said the 46-year-old New Port Richey resident.
As the storm washed away homes and tore off roofs in Jamaica on Saturday, it was still too early to tell what it might bring to Pasco. But county officials were asking folks to do as Laird did: Get prepared.
"Based on the current forecast track, we will experience - something," said Michele Baker, the county's director of emergency management. "Wind, rain and the potential for coastal storm surge flooding."
Officials were still considering whether to order evacuations for mobile homes, coastal zones and flood-prone areas. Baker said an evacuation order on Monday morning was likely.
Officials also put off the decision of whether to close schools. The School Board expects to make the decision this afternoon. If the county orders an evacuation, schools will close in order to serve as shelters.
"We are strongly recommending that those residents who plan to leave the county do so now," said Baker, noting that traffic was already picking up. "If you're planning to leave the state of Florida, obviously you need to give yourself some lead time."
But Baker recommended that those who live in site-built homes not in flood zones plan to stay home and take steps to protect windows and replenish disaster supply kits.
"And then invite somebody that you know to come stay with you," she said. "So that we are all staying here safe in our community and not competing with evacuees from other areas for very limited shelter space."
Will there be damage?
"Probably," she said. "But there is no reason for there to be loss of life or significant injuries if everybody takes advantage of the lead time of this weekend to become prepared."
People all over Pasco did just that on Saturday. People waited through long lines for plywood at Lowe's in New Port Richey. The store ran out in the morning, and about noon a truck brought in 450 sheets.
A store manager predicted the new truckload would last less than an hour.
"We should be getting a couple more truckloads in today," Gene McBride said.
At the sandbag station by the New Port Richey courthouse, Mario Calvagna and his wife loaded sandbags in the back of their sport utility vehicle.
"It's the first time I've gone for sandbags," said the 77-year-old Timber Oaks resident. But like many homes in Pasco, his home is threatened by standing water over already saturated ground.
"Any additional rain," he said, "and I know there's going to be a problem."