Hurricane Prep Updates From Local Providers

    Lake County spent the early days prepping for the possible impact of Hurricane Ian. Official agencies, utility providers, and citizens all took measures in advance of the potential arrival of the storm during the second half of the week.
   At press deadline Tuesday, the storm was expected to impact the area starting Wednesday and could remain in the area until some time later in the week.
   “The latest track for Hurricane Ian shows the storm traveling directly over SECO Energy's Central Florida service area," said SECO Energy representative Eneida Robaina in a release Tuesday. SECO provides electrical services to much of unincorporated Lake County. "Members who live in SECO's area will begin to feel the effects of Hurricane Ian with wind gusts starting on Wednesday. The hurricane is forecast to stall over SECO's area for most of Friday. SECO members should prepare for extended power outages due to this hurricane. SECO's service territory will experience large amounts of rain, heavy winds, and the possibility of tornadoes and flash floods."
   Early in the week, community activity was brisk as storm preparations were in high gear. Area suppliers of propane reported shortages, as did area gas stations, as it was not uncommon to see pump handles covered during last weekend. Also, area gasoline and oil provider Harris Oil and Gas in Mount Dora reported last Friday afternoon that it had an estimated 60 deliveries still to make ahead of its weekend.
   Sandbag operations were set up in both Astor and Umatilla, with residents flocking to the Astor fire station and the North Lake Community Park to fill bags provided by Lake County.
- The City of Umatilla closed its city hall operations at 3 p.m. on Tuesday for the rest of the week, and also announced that next Tuesday night’s city council meeting had been canceled.
   Additionally, the following storm preparation activities were reported:
- Lake County Schools operated on an early release schedule on Tuesday, and canceled classes on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The schedule was announced due to some Lake County School facilities being used as storm shelters.
   “After reviewing updated weather forecasts, district officials confirmed those plans and decided to close schools an additional day – Friday – to allow time for staff to clean up once the schools are no longer needed as shelters. Parents were notified by email and phone call on Monday afternoon," said Sherri Owens of Lake County Schools. In addition, all after-school activities were canceled on Wednesday and Thursday.
- Late Monday, Lake County announced that Villages Elementary, Leesburg Elementary, Umatilla Elementary, Lost Lake Elementary, Astatula Elementary, Treadway Elementary, Spring Creek Charter, and Mascotte charter would serve as shelters, and opened beginning Tuesday night. All locations were pet friendly. On Tuesday, Round Lake Charter, Mount Dora High School, Leesburg High School, East Ridge High School, East Ridge Middle School, Lost Lake Elementary, and Tavares High Schools were added to the list.
- Lake County suspended its bus service as of Tuesday night at 8 p.m.
- Several county offices, including county libraries, announced closures through the end of the week.
- Lake County Board of County Commissioners declared a local state of emergency on Sunday.
- Sandbag locations: Astor at the fire station on SR 40, Sorrento at the sports complex on Wallick Road, Leesburg at PEAR Park, Umatilla at North Lake Regional Park, Minneola at the athletic complex. Residents were asked to bring their own shovels, sandbags were provided, limit of 10 per household during 24 hour period. Sandbag assistance was offered in Astor, Minneola, and Leesburg. On Sunday alone, over 3,600 sandbags were distributed.
- The Lake County Citizens Information Line was opened, with residents able to call 352-253-9999.
- Lake Sumter State College on Monday evening announced it would be following the lead of Lake County Schools, and closing its campus Wednesday through Friday.
- The State of Florida State Emergency Response Team during the week is hosting daily briefings, which are available to the public. The briefings discuss weather situations, fuel availability, lodging information, and more in an effort to improve coordination in storm-impacted areas.
- The City of Umatilla was among the local municipalities gearing up for the storm. City manager Scott Blankenship reported on Monday the city was testing generators and equipment used in storm response, making sure all stormwater drains were clear in advance of expected heavy rainfall, and established communications with Lake County's Emergency Management Office to ensure a seamless response to the storm. The city uses city hall as its own emergency management center.
- The City of Eustis offered sandbags at its 100 West Norton Avenue fire station, and on Tuesday announced city offices, including the library, would be closed for the rest of the week after the day’s operations ended. City parks and recreation facilities were closed on Wednesday and were to remain shuttered through the weekend. Garbage collection on Thursday was pushed back to Friday.
- SECO Energy, utility provider for much of North Lake County, reported prepping for the storm and encouraged customers to keep up to date on the storm's impact on the area via its StormCenter app. Additionally, SECO encouraged anyone experiencing power outages to follow safety protocols when using a generator, including making sure carbon monoxide emissions are safely diffused, by making sure generators are only run outside and not near open windows.
- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reminded boat owners of several safety tips, including: Move your vessel if you can and protect it if you can’t.
•    If your boat can be trailered, haul it out of the water and move it to a safe location as far from tidal waters as possible.
•    If your vessel must stay in a marina berth, double all lines and rig-cross spring lines fore and aft, and attach lines high on pilings to allow for tidal rise or surge.
•    If your vessel is at anchor, move to the most protected area possible and set out multiple anchors with at least a 10:1 scope, remove canvas coverings if possible and remove or secure any sails.
•    If your vessel will remain on a mooring, make sure the mooring is designed to withstand the load that will be placed on it by your vessel. Inspect chains and swivels that connect to the mooring buoy and double up on the mooring pendant.
•    Use the Florida Boat Ramp Finder to find a ramp near you.
Cover all lines to prevent chafing.
•    Wrap all lines where lines feed through chocks with tape, rags, and rubber hoses or leather. Install fenders, fender boards or tires to protect the boat from rubbing against the pier, pilings or other boats.
Charge batteries and make sure they can run automatic bilge pumps throughout the storm.
•    Consider adding backup batteries and shut off all other devices that consume electricity.
Do not stay onboard.
•    During a hurricane, winds can exceed 100 mph and tornadoes are often associated with these storms. If you’re on board during a bad storm, you are risking your life.
•    Learn what Florida law says about mandatory marina evacuations. Chapter 327.59, F.S., Marina Evacuations.
Monitor weather broadcasts frequently and comply with evacuation orders when issued.
•    Storm tracking through the National Hurricane Center.
•    Follow FloridaDisaster.org.
After the storm, report issues to the FWC.
•    Marina eligibility for disaster relief through Small Business Administration loans. SBA Disaster Assistance.
•    Reporting missing and/or damaged waterway markers.
•    Report storm-damaged boats that might be lost or abandoned to your local law enforcement agency (preferred) or the FWC Division of Law Enforcement at 888-404-3922.