City of PSL Hurricane Milton Advisory #1
Published on October 07, 2024
The City of Port St. Lucie is closely monitoring Hurricane Milton’s path and preparing for any storm-related impacts it could bring to the area.
A Special City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 9 a.m. at City Hall to consider a resolution declaring a State of Emergency in the City of Port St. Lucie for Hurricane Milton.
The City of Port St. Lucie’s public information updates regarding Hurricane Milton can be found at www.CityofPSL.com/Milton. This site includes updates on closures, information about drainage and utilities, trash collection, City events and more.
Below are important points of information the City would like residents to keep in mind. The next advisory is expected to be released around 5 p.m. Monday.
City officials are now finalizing storm preparations, anticipating effects could potentially be at a Category 1 hurricane level. Tropical storm force winds could begin arriving as early as Wednesday morning under the current forecast.
The City is shuttering its facilities and residents are highly encouraged to make all their preparations now, making sure their homes are secure and they are following their storm plans. Please continue to closely monitor the National Hurricane Center for details about the storm www.nhc.noaa.gov.
City’s EOC: The City’s Emergency Operations Center is taking proactive measures to prepare for all possibilities regarding Hurricane Milton. The City’s Emergency Operations Center is currently partially activated. The City continues to work closely with St. Lucie County officials and community partners and will provide status updates as necessary.
Office of Solid Waste: All trash and recycling pickup remains on schedule until further notice. The City of Port St. Lucie, through its solid waste hauler, will continue to provide collection and disposal services until weather conditions prohibit it.
As per our normal operating schedule, the Convenient Drop-Off Center on Cameo Boulevard is closed today and Tuesday. Because this facility may be necessary for debris cleanup after the storm, it will remain closed Wednesday and Thursday to ensure it has capacity.
Residents are being asked not to trim trees or put out large piles of yard waste as they may not be collected prior to the storm. Residents also should avoid placing out large piles of trash or bulky items until the storm passes.
In addition, the City asks that residents do not place garbage bags outside your City-issued carts. To learn more, click on the severe weather tips & questions at www.CityofPSL.com/SolidWaste.
Meeting and Event Cancelations: The following meetings scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 9 have been postponed: City U, Special Magistrate, Closed-Door Attorney Client Session and Business Accelerator. Please visit the city calendar for more information at www.CityofPSL.com/Calendar.
River Nights, which was scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 10, has been canceled.
Sandbags: The City will not be distributing sandbags. The City does not recommend the use of sandbags to prevent water from seeping into a building. They are more effective in controlling the flow of water. Sandbags also can cause problems following a storm, potentially clogging drainage systems.
Building Department: The Building Department has directed all inspectors to give a directive to notify contractors of the following, while conducting inspections:
- Secure all trash, debris and construction material from all construction sites.
- Secure portable toilets in garages, when available.
- Have all drainage areas unblocked and free to allow water to flow properly.
- Restrict further deliveries of supplies to job sites.
Code Compliance: Code Compliance staff are focusing on open storage that needs to be corrected prior to the storm. Residents are being asked to begin cleaning up their properties for anything that could become windblown debris.
Public Works: Public Works Staff continue to draw down water levels and clear debris from drainage systems. Recent rains have saturated the ground and additional rainfall will cause water to temporarily pool in the roadways. Residents are asked to use caution when driving in rain or wet conditions.
In preparation of any potential heavy rains, residents are asked to keep swales clean of debris such as overgrown grass and leaf litter. Please make sure your swale is clear of debris to help keep the stormwater flowing correctly.
Police Department: The PSLPD is meeting and coordinating with law enforcement and emergency management partners in the county.
Parks and Recreation: Parks and Recreation facilities remain open today. Any changes will be shared as they become available.
MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center: The following events at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center will be canceled this week: EDC luncheon, City University, 100 Club First Responders, Veritext, Walk for Life – CareNet, 1st Annual Trump Dinner.
Utility Systems Customers: Avoid the long lines to purchase water and save money too by filling up containers with your tap water. Our water is treated by reverse osmosis and purified with minerals, like many bottled waters on the market. Here’s a link to more info about Storm Preparation and Recovery.
The City recommends that customers conserve water during a power outage, not because there will be a shortage of water, but because water going down the drain or toilet will quickly fill up your grinder or STEP tank. Without power, wastewater cannot be pumped out of the tank.
To prevent your tank from quickly filling up, only flush when absolutely necessary, avoid taking long showers, and running the dishwasher or washing machine. The Utility Systems department will make every effort possible to pump out or pump down a customer's grinder or STEP system during the recovery period after a storm or hurricane. Here’s a link to more info about Storm Preparation and Recovery.
The goal and objective for Port St. Lucie Utility Systems is to provide safe, dependable, and high quality water and sewer services to our customers in any kind of weather. If you are experiencing any issues with your service, please call Utility Systems Connection Support at 772-873-6400.
1PSL/Hotlines: Residents can contact the city through our 1PSL customer service system at 772-871-1775 or through the 1PSL app.
City of Port St. Lucie Information: For up-to-the-minute updates, please check the City’s dedicated website www.CityofPSL.com/Milton. This site will include updates on closures, information about drainage and utilities, trash collection, City events and more. Residents are also encouraged to follow the City on the City’s social media sites, Facebook page @CityofPSL, Twitter page @CityPortStLucie and NextDoor page, as information changes quickly. Residents can also sign up to receive text messages or emails from the City. Registration is quick, easy and free of charge!