Early Week Spent In Storm Prep Mode

    A quickly developing tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico sent local leaders into a rapid response mode early this week. Idalia, a Tropical Storm forming in the Gulf of Mexico that was expected to potentially affect Lake County early Wednesday as a Hurricane resulted in a hastened storm prep response throughout the day Monday and into Tuesday.
   Area governments responded Monday morning in preparation for the storm. Lake County delivered sandbag supplies to areas throughout the county, with sites in Astor, Sorrento, and Umatilla stocked to serve local needs.
   The county activated its Emergency Operations Center, which included an onsite team to monitor the storm and coordinate responses with other agencies.
   Lake County Schools announced a closure for Wednesday, in addition to limiting Tuesday after-school activities.
   "Because of developments with Tropical Storm Idalia, all after-school events will be canceled on Tuesday with the exception of our Extended Learning Centers," reported Sherri Owens, Communications Coordinator for Lake County Schools. Parents were encouraged to pick up students from after-school programs as early as possible on Tuesday.
   Additionally, Villages Elementary and Lost Lake Elementary were commissioned to serve as storm shelters for those seeking extra cover during the weather event.
   Regular school operations were expected to resume on Thursday.
   Lake Sumter State College also closed on Wednesday, with students asked to keep in contact with professors via email or Canvas for course-specific updates.
   In Umatilla, recent upgrades to city hall's windows eliminated the need to install boards there, but public works staff spent Monday afternoon applying protective coverings to doors at the town fire station. Public works director Vaughan Nilson said the department spent Monday prepping saws, testing generators that would run the town's traffic signals should power go out, and also ran tests on large lift station generators as well as units at city hall the police department to make sure they properly activate should they be needed.
   “We’ll have a 6:30 a.m. meeting on Tuesday for final prep,” Nilson said, with the plan to get employees home to their families ahead of any bad weather. The department had plans to return to work on Thursday.
   “Hopefully, we’ll have nothing to do,” Nilson said alluding to hopes that the storm would merely skirt the area rather than come directly over.
   Fuel supplies remained steady leading up to the event, though there were some hiccups. The Umatilla Citgo food and gas, located on SR 19 across from the Umatilla Post Office, was among a group of stores throughout the state that received gasoline tainted with diesel fuel. State inspectors were on scene Monday and by the afternoon had approved the store to sell its premium fuel, with staff at the location reporting the tainted 'regular' fuel was to be pumped out in the coming days. Other locations began to restrict sales to the general public on Monday to secure supplies for tree trimmers and other responders who may need emergency fuel in the days ahead.
   At a press conference held Monday evening, county officials said they were bracing for more of a wind event than a rain event, though Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell said his staff was already making plans for a response in the Astor area should heavy rains bring flooding to the riverside community.
   The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Monday implored boat owners to have a safety plan for severe weather.
   “Preparing for a natural disaster can be stressful, there are so many important things to think about,” said Ashlee Sklute of the FWC. “Taking time to prepare in advance of an impending storm reduces risk to life and property.”
   Officials urged boat owners to trailer their boats out of the storm path if possible and provided a variety of safety tips for those with boats that could not be moved.