Hurricane Dorian, a powerful Category 5 Hurricane located in the Atlantic, is forecast to impact Palatka/Putnam County starting Tuesday afternoon/evening through Wednesday night. It is expected to remain a powerful hurricane as the storm slowly tracks west toward Florida and then north off the east coast. It is still too early to speculate on potential local impacts from Dorian, which will include heavy rainfall and high wind, as well as flooding along waterways and low-lying areas. Forecasts have confirmed that Dorian will impact the east coast of Florida and inland. Important local information, including news on shelter openings, will be available on all media outlets, including Putnam Co. Emergency Management’s website (www.main.putnam-fl.com). Mandatory Evacuations may be called for -- go to www.main.putnam-fl.com to download the map showing "red zone evacuation areas" (Zone A) or look up your address to see if you are in that zone. STAY TUNED FOR EVACUATION AREAS -- KNOW YOUR EVACUATION AREA, IF YOU HAVE ONE.
Sandbags are available at the City Lot at 1010 Ocean Street, Palatka until 5 pm on Monday. Check www.main.putnam-fl.com for other locations.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES are closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
NO GARBAGE PICKUP on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
SHELTERS ARE NOW OPEN -- information at www.main.putnam-fl.com.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NOW: All residents, PLEASE DO NOT PUT ANY YARD TRASH OR DEBRIS ON THE CURB THIS WEEK, as the City cannot guarantee that it will be picked up before the storm arrives. IF YOU ALREADY HAVE YARD TRASH/DEBRIS ON THE CURB, PLEASE SECURE IT OR MOVE IT. If you can't do this, call Public Works at 386-329-0107 before noon on Monday and we will make every effort to come get it. We will not be sending crews out on Tuesday or Wednesday except in emergency situations.
ALSO, City Crews have cleared the storm drains. RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO CONTINUE TO CHECK THE STORM DRAINS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, REMOVE ANY BLOCKAGES AND KEEP THEM CLEAR. Secure anything in your yard or at your business that could be blown into the street or into storm drains, or damage utility lines. Please report any infrastructure issues to the City’s Public Works Department at 386-329-0107 as soon as possible.
REPORT DOWNED POWER LINES OR OUTAGES: For FPL call 1-800-4OUTAGE (800-468-8243). For Clay Electric, call 1-888-434-9844.
Stay informed and vigilant, but do not panic. Put your Hurricane Kit together and be prepared for power outages or, if necessary, evacuation. Sign up to get alerts on your phone or by email at putnamalert.com or www.main.putnam-fl.com. Prepare for your pets’ safety, too.
Be Safe and Be Prepared!
