Bayshore Boulevard reopened
Tampa police have reopened Bayshore Boulevard from Magnolia Avenue S to Gandy Boulevard. The road was previously closed due to flooding.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Hurricane warnings discontinued
Officials have replaced a hurricane warning for the Gulf Coast with a tropical storm warning as of 11 a.m., according to the latest National Hurricane Center advisory. All warnings south of Bayport, located in Hernando County, have been discontinued.
Alberto is moving northeast at about 9 mph with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph. Storm surge flooding of 5 to 7 feet is expected east and south of wherever Alberto makes landfall.
Forecasters predict 4 to 8 inches of total rainfall with isolated amounts of 10 inches.
The National Hurricane Center will issue an intermediate advisory at 2 p.m., followed by a more complete advisory at 5 p.m.
For the full text of the advisory, visit:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT1%2Bshtml/101756.shtml
Alberto is moving northeast at about 9 mph with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph. Storm surge flooding of 5 to 7 feet is expected east and south of wherever Alberto makes landfall.
Forecasters predict 4 to 8 inches of total rainfall with isolated amounts of 10 inches.
The National Hurricane Center will issue an intermediate advisory at 2 p.m., followed by a more complete advisory at 5 p.m.
For the full text of the advisory, visit:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT1%2Bshtml/101756.shtml
Shelter updates
The Red Cross has dispatched five Disaster Assessment Teams throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties to begin calculating damages sustained from Tropical Storm Alberto.
The Red Cross is also reporting that 10 shelters in the three counties recorded receiving 80 people at Alberto's peak.
All Pinellas shelters will remain open until noon Tuesday, at which time officials will determine the necessity of keeping the shelters open.
In anticipation of potential flooding and storm surges, all Hillsborough County shelters will remain on standby status.
In Pasco, the shelters at Trinity Middle School and Schrader Elementary School have closed. The shelter at River Ridge High School and Middle School, located at 11646 Town Center Road, will remain open until further notice.
The Red Cross is also reporting that 10 shelters in the three counties recorded receiving 80 people at Alberto's peak.
All Pinellas shelters will remain open until noon Tuesday, at which time officials will determine the necessity of keeping the shelters open.
In anticipation of potential flooding and storm surges, all Hillsborough County shelters will remain on standby status.
In Pasco, the shelters at Trinity Middle School and Schrader Elementary School have closed. The shelter at River Ridge High School and Middle School, located at 11646 Town Center Road, will remain open until further notice.
Flooding worries in Citrus
Latest update: 6:25 p.m.
Officials, residents and business owners continue to keep a wary eye on floodwaters in west Citrus.
During the day, water creeped near Crystal River City Hall and elsewhere in the city. Officials closed Kings Bay Drive, NW 16th Street, NW Sixth Avenue, Paradise Point Road, Cutler Spur, Citrus Avenue south of NE Third Street, State Park Drive and Museum Point.
Ozello Trail was closed because of flooding, as were Yulee and Fishbowl drives, among other roads.
By mid afternoon, there were 38 people in the special needs shelter at Lecanto Middle School and 23 more at the general shelter at Lecanto High. Those shelters were remaining open tonight. School system officials shut down the county's two other shelters, at Citrus High School and Inverness Middle School. Attendance at those shelters had been sparse.
Early in the day, Citrus' three electricity providers reported minimal outages. Progress Energy later reported 442 customers without power and Sumter Electric Cooperative reported more than 100. Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative said that, at various points today, 1,000 Citrus customers were without service for short periods.
Officials, residents and business owners continue to keep a wary eye on floodwaters in west Citrus.
During the day, water creeped near Crystal River City Hall and elsewhere in the city. Officials closed Kings Bay Drive, NW 16th Street, NW Sixth Avenue, Paradise Point Road, Cutler Spur, Citrus Avenue south of NE Third Street, State Park Drive and Museum Point.
Ozello Trail was closed because of flooding, as were Yulee and Fishbowl drives, among other roads.
By mid afternoon, there were 38 people in the special needs shelter at Lecanto Middle School and 23 more at the general shelter at Lecanto High. Those shelters were remaining open tonight. School system officials shut down the county's two other shelters, at Citrus High School and Inverness Middle School. Attendance at those shelters had been sparse.
Early in the day, Citrus' three electricity providers reported minimal outages. Progress Energy later reported 442 customers without power and Sumter Electric Cooperative reported more than 100. Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative said that, at various points today, 1,000 Citrus customers were without service for short periods.
Power outages in bay area
Strong winds and heavy rain are responsible for about 2,500 outages this morning in the bay area. Outages have been reported in St. Petersburg, Tampa, Largo, and Pinellas Park.
Progress Energy spokesperson Dana Yeganian said the largest concentration of outages is along 41st Avenue N from 11th to 12th Streets in St. Petersburg.
"We've been working throughout the night to restore power to folks," Yeganian said.
Progress Energy spokesperson Dana Yeganian said the largest concentration of outages is along 41st Avenue N from 11th to 12th Streets in St. Petersburg.
"We've been working throughout the night to restore power to folks," Yeganian said.
Sunshine Skyway open
The Florida Highway Patrol reported at 5:45 a.m. that the Sunshine Skyway is open to commuters.
All Howard Frankland lanes reopened
A barge crashed into the Howard Frankland bridge at 2:40 a.m. Tuesday, closing one outside eastbound traffic for much of the morning. All lanes were reopened after local police and transportation officials inspected the bridge with an underwater camera.
Officials said the bridge sustained no damage and no injuries have been reported.
Authorities believe high winds caused the 60-foot work barge, reportedly carrying no cargo, to break free of of its moorings.
John Varlefe of M & J Construction, a Tarpon Springs construction outfit, said that firm rented the barge from Mobro Marine, Jacksonville company.
The Coast Guard eventually reached authorities from M & J Construction and Mobro Marine. The marine construction firms hired DMT Salvage out of East Bay to tow the barge to safety.
Officials said the bridge sustained no damage and no injuries have been reported.
Authorities believe high winds caused the 60-foot work barge, reportedly carrying no cargo, to break free of of its moorings.
John Varlefe of M & J Construction, a Tarpon Springs construction outfit, said that firm rented the barge from Mobro Marine, Jacksonville company.
The Coast Guard eventually reached authorities from M & J Construction and Mobro Marine. The marine construction firms hired DMT Salvage out of East Bay to tow the barge to safety.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Taking it in stride in Town N' Country
Town N’ Country streets were wet, but there was no sign of flooding, Monday afternoon.
At Ace Hardware, cashier Wanda Freyre said she’s not worried about the possibility of a hurricane. Neither are her customers. This year, she’s ready with a generator and a propane barbecue set. All the 47-year-old needs now is canned foods, she said.
Most customers, she said, have already bought flashlights, batter-powered televisions and generators. Monday’s clientele were nonchalant about the possibility of heavy rains, flooding or hurricane strength winds.
One bought bug repellent, another paint and ice-cream.
"I want the rain to stop," said Luis Hunter, 70, an air conditioner repairman. Hunter said the storms put a damper on his business, but even so, he’s not the least bit scared. "I don’t even pay attention to it," he said. "It's the media that scares you to death."
Ediberto Maribona, 73, bought lamp oil. He said he’s already stocked on batteries and flashlights. The oil is for back up.
"It’s coming," he said of the heavy rains. "If the electricity goes, I’ve got a barbecue grill outside."
At Town N’ Country’s U-Save supermarket, Wayne Skidmore waits with a full shopping cart for a break in the rain so he can dash to his car. Skidmore, 47, said he’d report to his civil surveyor job from home today. "A lot of people took the day off," he said.
Skidmore said he’s stocked up on 10 five-gallon containers, ready to be filled, and glow sticks.
"They work much better," he said. Last hurricane season, he and his family, were in the dark for three days. He used two glow sticks per room. "Two of them light the whole room," he said.
Supermarket assistant manager Larry Kirkpatrick said business was average. He said the store was stocked with water and plenty of food. He doesn’t expect a rush until later Monday, when people get out of work and hear that Tropical Storm Alberto may become a Category 1 hurricane.
At Ace Hardware, cashier Wanda Freyre said she’s not worried about the possibility of a hurricane. Neither are her customers. This year, she’s ready with a generator and a propane barbecue set. All the 47-year-old needs now is canned foods, she said.
Most customers, she said, have already bought flashlights, batter-powered televisions and generators. Monday’s clientele were nonchalant about the possibility of heavy rains, flooding or hurricane strength winds.
One bought bug repellent, another paint and ice-cream.
"I want the rain to stop," said Luis Hunter, 70, an air conditioner repairman. Hunter said the storms put a damper on his business, but even so, he’s not the least bit scared. "I don’t even pay attention to it," he said. "It's the media that scares you to death."
Ediberto Maribona, 73, bought lamp oil. He said he’s already stocked on batteries and flashlights. The oil is for back up.
"It’s coming," he said of the heavy rains. "If the electricity goes, I’ve got a barbecue grill outside."
At Town N’ Country’s U-Save supermarket, Wayne Skidmore waits with a full shopping cart for a break in the rain so he can dash to his car. Skidmore, 47, said he’d report to his civil surveyor job from home today. "A lot of people took the day off," he said.
Skidmore said he’s stocked up on 10 five-gallon containers, ready to be filled, and glow sticks.
"They work much better," he said. Last hurricane season, he and his family, were in the dark for three days. He used two glow sticks per room. "Two of them light the whole room," he said.
Supermarket assistant manager Larry Kirkpatrick said business was average. He said the store was stocked with water and plenty of food. He doesn’t expect a rush until later Monday, when people get out of work and hear that Tropical Storm Alberto may become a Category 1 hurricane.
Hernando County issues recommended evacuation order
Hernando County's emergency management officials have issued a local state of emergency order and a strongly recommended evacuation order for all coastal residents in Evacuation Zones A/B. This is the extreme western portion of the county, lying west of U.S. 19, excluding The Heather, Glen Lakes, Regency Oaks and River Country.
A shelter will open at Nature Coast Technical High School, 4057 California Street, Brooksville, Florida, at 6:00 p.m. this evening. This shelter will include special needs residents. The Code Red notification system will be used to notify residents within the evacuation area.
Alberto is expected to be a Category 1 hurricane by landfall Tuesday afternoon in northern Florida. Residents should prepare for possible power outages as we experience tropical storm force winds tonight with gusts up to 50 mph. Maximum rainfall of up to 10 inches is possible through Tuesday. Tornadoes are also possible as the bands cross the county.
Coastal storm surge of 1-2 ft. above high tide is predicted for Monday and 5-7 feet above high tide at 4:00 a.m. Tuesday. Low lying areas may also expect local flooding. Sandbags are available at three locations: the Hernando Beach Volunteer Fire Department on Shoal Line Boulevard, the Brooksville Fire Department on Veterans Avenue in Brooksville and the Ridge Manor Community Center on Cortez Boulevard, just west of U.S. 301.
There will be no garbage collection services tomorrow due to the high winds. Residents should not place their garbage cans at the roadside.
Boat owners should secure their vessels today and make sure bilge pumps are working. For information, visit www.hernandcounty.us/parks_rec
The Public Information Center opened at noon today and will continue taking phone calls until 7:00 p.m. and will resume at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday - 352-754-4083.
Emergency Management officials will continue to closely monitor the storm and keep the public informed. For updates on Hernando County's preparations, call the pre-recorded Public Information Line at 352-754-4111 or 352 754 4083 or visit the Hernando County government website at www.hernandocounty.us/em.
A shelter will open at Nature Coast Technical High School, 4057 California Street, Brooksville, Florida, at 6:00 p.m. this evening. This shelter will include special needs residents. The Code Red notification system will be used to notify residents within the evacuation area.
Alberto is expected to be a Category 1 hurricane by landfall Tuesday afternoon in northern Florida. Residents should prepare for possible power outages as we experience tropical storm force winds tonight with gusts up to 50 mph. Maximum rainfall of up to 10 inches is possible through Tuesday. Tornadoes are also possible as the bands cross the county.
Coastal storm surge of 1-2 ft. above high tide is predicted for Monday and 5-7 feet above high tide at 4:00 a.m. Tuesday. Low lying areas may also expect local flooding. Sandbags are available at three locations: the Hernando Beach Volunteer Fire Department on Shoal Line Boulevard, the Brooksville Fire Department on Veterans Avenue in Brooksville and the Ridge Manor Community Center on Cortez Boulevard, just west of U.S. 301.
There will be no garbage collection services tomorrow due to the high winds. Residents should not place their garbage cans at the roadside.
Boat owners should secure their vessels today and make sure bilge pumps are working. For information, visit www.hernandcounty.us/parks_rec
The Public Information Center opened at noon today and will continue taking phone calls until 7:00 p.m. and will resume at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday - 352-754-4083.
Emergency Management officials will continue to closely monitor the storm and keep the public informed. For updates on Hernando County's preparations, call the pre-recorded Public Information Line at 352-754-4111 or 352 754 4083 or visit the Hernando County government website at www.hernandocounty.us/em.
Weather related closings
We have received word that the following are closed, or will be closed:
Monday:
Government offices
Social Security Administration offices, Tampa.
Crystal River City Council meeting
Businesses:
Adventure Island is closed today and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will close early at 6 p.m.
Details regarding Tuesday's park hours will be announced when that decision is made. Guests are encouraged to call 888-800-5447 or visit adventureisland.com and buschgardens.com for the latest information.
Employees can call 813-987-5996 or 866-227-5022 for their work status.
Tuesday:
Schools:
Pinellas:
Light of Christ Summer School, 2176 Marilyn Street, Clearwater FL 33765. For more information call Ms. Becky Daschbach, Director, 727-442-4797.
St. Joseph Catholic School Summer School, 2200 N. Gomez Avenue, Tampa, 33607. For more information Sr. Florine Lagace, FMA principal, 813-879-7720.
Transfiguration Catholic School Summer School, 4000 43rd St. N., St. Petersburg 33714, 727-527-2880. For more information, call Sr. Bridget Gedji, SOLM, Principal.
St. Petersburg Catholic High School Summer School - 6333 9th Avenue North, St. Petersburg 33710. For more information call Fr. John Serio, SBD, principal, 727-235-2155.
Hillsborough:
All public schools.
St. Joseph Catholic School.
Pasco:
All public schools and Pre-K programs.
All Pasco County school district offices.
Hernando:
All schools and school facilities.
Citrus:
All schools and district facilities.
Government:
Citrus County School Board meeting
Citrus County Commission meeting
Citrus County Commission offices.
Hernando will not have garbage collection Tuesday.
Summer camps
The Arts Center camp, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-822-7872.
If you know of closings that are not listed here — or other pertinent weather information — please let us know by posting a comment to the blog and we'll update our list accordingly.
Monday:
Government offices
Social Security Administration offices, Tampa.
Crystal River City Council meeting
Businesses:
Adventure Island is closed today and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will close early at 6 p.m.
Details regarding Tuesday's park hours will be announced when that decision is made. Guests are encouraged to call 888-800-5447 or visit adventureisland.com and buschgardens.com for the latest information.
Employees can call 813-987-5996 or 866-227-5022 for their work status.
Tuesday:
Schools:
Pinellas:
Light of Christ Summer School, 2176 Marilyn Street, Clearwater FL 33765. For more information call Ms. Becky Daschbach, Director, 727-442-4797.
St. Joseph Catholic School Summer School, 2200 N. Gomez Avenue, Tampa, 33607. For more information Sr. Florine Lagace, FMA principal, 813-879-7720.
Transfiguration Catholic School Summer School, 4000 43rd St. N., St. Petersburg 33714, 727-527-2880. For more information, call Sr. Bridget Gedji, SOLM, Principal.
St. Petersburg Catholic High School Summer School - 6333 9th Avenue North, St. Petersburg 33710. For more information call Fr. John Serio, SBD, principal, 727-235-2155.
Hillsborough:
All public schools.
St. Joseph Catholic School.
Pasco:
All public schools and Pre-K programs.
All Pasco County school district offices.
Hernando:
All schools and school facilities.
Citrus:
All schools and district facilities.
Government:
Citrus County School Board meeting
Citrus County Commission meeting
Citrus County Commission offices.
Hernando will not have garbage collection Tuesday.
Summer camps
The Arts Center camp, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-822-7872.
If you know of closings that are not listed here — or other pertinent weather information — please let us know by posting a comment to the blog and we'll update our list accordingly.
Power outages
Tampa Electric is experiencing scattered outages throughout its service area.
Normal business has been suspended to focus on restoring power.
According to Rick Morera with Tampa Electric, this morning as many as 4,500 customers were without power. That number, however, had been reduced to 2,800 just before noon.
To report a power outage, call Tampa Electric's dedicated outage number at (877) 588-1010.
Progress Energy says only a couple hundred of its customers in the Tampa Bay area are currently without power, though at the height of its power outages earlier today as many as 7500 customers were without power.
Normal business has been suspended to focus on restoring power.
According to Rick Morera with Tampa Electric, this morning as many as 4,500 customers were without power. That number, however, had been reduced to 2,800 just before noon.
To report a power outage, call Tampa Electric's dedicated outage number at (877) 588-1010.
Progress Energy says only a couple hundred of its customers in the Tampa Bay area are currently without power, though at the height of its power outages earlier today as many as 7500 customers were without power.
How have you been affected?
Has Tropical Storm Alberto caused flooding or other damage in your neighborhood? Reply to this posting and tell us what you've seen.
We would also like to see the damage: Send your photos to photos@tampabay.com.
Your subject line becomes the title of the photo and the body of your message becomes the caption. Files must be JPEGs and less than 700K in size.
We would also like to see the damage: Send your photos to photos@tampabay.com.
Your subject line becomes the title of the photo and the body of your message becomes the caption. Files must be JPEGs and less than 700K in size.
Hillsborough issues voluntary evacuations
Hillsborough County emergency managers issued voluntary evacuations for people living in low-lying areas whose homes are prone to flooding, after declaring a local state of emergency at 4 p.m. Monday.
Public school summer programs will be closed today, but city of Tampa and Hillsborough government operations will remain open. The Red Cross opened four churches that serve as emergency shelters at 7 p.m. in locations in Tampa and Ruskin. Together they have a capacity of 515 people.
The shelters are at:
The First Apostolic Church, 1830 30th St., Ruskin, capacity 140.
The Bible Based Fellowship Church, 8718 N 46th St., Tampa, capacity 200.
St. John Presbyterian Church, 4120 N MacDill Ave., Tampa, capacity 75.
Town 'n Country Baptist Church, 7601 Jackson Springs Road, Tampa, capacity 100.
Officials predicted that the biggest threat to Hillsborough, provided Alberto stays on its forecast track, is from storm surge corresponding with Tuesday's 3:30 p.m. high tide, already expected to be higher than normal due to the full moon.
Together with the tide, they estimated that storm surge could reach 6 to 7 feet, about the point where it starts to cause flooding in vulnerable areas such as Bayshore Boulevard and Apollo Beach. Heavy rains could cause flooding other areas not directly threatened by surge.
"Once again, the big threat is the surge," said Hillsborough County Director of Emergency Management Larry Gispert. "That's right at the threshhold where people start having water in their homes."
The City of Tampa will make sandbags available to city residents at three locations to prepare for the storm.
See this story.
The city does not recommend sandbagging alone for protecting structures from flooding. A city press release says expanding foam and duct tape are more effective than sandbags but may cause damage to finishes.
Latex, tub and tile, and silicone caulking also work well to protect a structure from flooding.
Public school summer programs will be closed today, but city of Tampa and Hillsborough government operations will remain open. The Red Cross opened four churches that serve as emergency shelters at 7 p.m. in locations in Tampa and Ruskin. Together they have a capacity of 515 people.
The shelters are at:
The First Apostolic Church, 1830 30th St., Ruskin, capacity 140.
The Bible Based Fellowship Church, 8718 N 46th St., Tampa, capacity 200.
St. John Presbyterian Church, 4120 N MacDill Ave., Tampa, capacity 75.
Town 'n Country Baptist Church, 7601 Jackson Springs Road, Tampa, capacity 100.
Officials predicted that the biggest threat to Hillsborough, provided Alberto stays on its forecast track, is from storm surge corresponding with Tuesday's 3:30 p.m. high tide, already expected to be higher than normal due to the full moon.
Together with the tide, they estimated that storm surge could reach 6 to 7 feet, about the point where it starts to cause flooding in vulnerable areas such as Bayshore Boulevard and Apollo Beach. Heavy rains could cause flooding other areas not directly threatened by surge.
"Once again, the big threat is the surge," said Hillsborough County Director of Emergency Management Larry Gispert. "That's right at the threshhold where people start having water in their homes."
The City of Tampa will make sandbags available to city residents at three locations to prepare for the storm.
See this story.
The city does not recommend sandbagging alone for protecting structures from flooding. A city press release says expanding foam and duct tape are more effective than sandbags but may cause damage to finishes.
Latex, tub and tile, and silicone caulking also work well to protect a structure from flooding.
Citrus County orders evacuation
Citrus emergency management officials have ordered a mandatory evacuation for residents who live west of U.S. 19, 1 1/2 miles east of U.S. 19, and all residents who live in mobile homes throughout the county.
The evacuation order is effective at 3 p.m. today. Several shelters will be open at 6 p.m. A special needs shelter for people with handicaps or medical conditions will be open at Lecanto Middle School. Regular storm shelters will be open at Lecanto High, Inverness Middle and Citrus High schools beginning at 6 p.m. Call the information lines at 352-746-5470, 352-527-2106 or 352-746-6555 for details.
Three sandbag sites remain open: the Crystal River fire department, 650 NW Third Ave.; the county park at 4508 S Grandmarch Ave., Homosassa; and 7490 State Road 44 W, near Crystal River (between Dan’s Clam Stand and Manatee Lanes). The sandbags are free.
The evacuation order is effective at 3 p.m. today. Several shelters will be open at 6 p.m. A special needs shelter for people with handicaps or medical conditions will be open at Lecanto Middle School. Regular storm shelters will be open at Lecanto High, Inverness Middle and Citrus High schools beginning at 6 p.m. Call the information lines at 352-746-5470, 352-527-2106 or 352-746-6555 for details.
Three sandbag sites remain open: the Crystal River fire department, 650 NW Third Ave.; the county park at 4508 S Grandmarch Ave., Homosassa; and 7490 State Road 44 W, near Crystal River (between Dan’s Clam Stand and Manatee Lanes). The sandbags are free.
