TAVARES – County officials have declared a local state of emergency for Lake County in anticipation of the damaging winds and rainfall from Hurricane Matthew this week.
The Lake County Emergency Operations Center has moved to a Level 2 – Partial Activation. A Citizens Information Line has been opened which you can call from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm to receive up-to-date emergency information. The number for that line is (352)253-9999.
Lake County is also advising residents to prepare for the possible interruption of public transit services due to high winds. Services offered through LakeXpress and Lake County Connection will be disrupted on Thursday and Friday.
“Lake County personnel and first responders are actively preparing for the serious threat that Hurricane Matthew could pose to Lake County,“ said Lake County Chairman Sean Parks. “Now is the time for residents to finalize their emergency plans, which include not only having a family communication plan, but also having enough supplies, such as food, water, and medication, for the entire family for up to three days.”
According to the latest forecast track by the U.S. National Weather Service, Matthew is expected to approach Florida’s East coast beginning Thursday afternoon and will affect East Central Florida by producing floods, heavy rain, tornadoes, downed trees and power lines, power outages, and damaging tropical storm force winds.
Residents are reminded to make sure you pick up free sandbags to protect against flooding. You can find a list of places to pick up sandbags HERE. If you live in a mobile home, modular home, camper trailer, recreational vehicle or any other structure that you feel is not safe, be sure to go to a local shelter. You can find a list of local shelters HERE. If you want to receive instant notifications on Hurricane Matthew and all severe weather directly to your email or phone, sign up for notifications at www.alertlake.com.
For more information about Emergency Management, visit their website here. or Follow Emergency Management on their Facebook Page and Twitter.
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