City of PSL Hurricane Milton Advisory #3
Published on October 08, 2024
The City of Port St. Lucie continues to monitor Hurricane Milton’s path and is preparing for any storm-related impacts it could bring to the area.
Below are updates for Tuesday, Oct. 8.
New Information
St. Lucie County was under a tropical storm warning as of the 11 a.m. National Hurricane Center advisory. Tropical storm force winds could begin arriving as early as Wednesday afternoon under the current forecast.
All City facilities will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10.
The City began shuttering its facilities and are finalizing storm preparations. The City highly encourages residents to complete their preparations now, making sure their homes are secured and they are following their storm plans. If you are concerned about the integrity of your home, do what you can to secure it and then take refuge with friends, relatives or at a shelter. Please continue to closely monitor the National Hurricane Center for details about the storm www.nhc.noaa.gov.
Office of Solid Waste: The St. Lucie County landfill will be closed on Thursday. All garbage, recycling, yard waste and bulk waste pickup will be suspended Thursday to ensure the safety of FCC drivers and residents. If storm conditions have passed, the following adjustments to the pickup schedule will be in place:
- Thursday’s customers will be collected on Friday, Oct. 11.
- Friday’s customers will be collected on Saturday, Oct. 12.
Residents are asked not to put out trash, recycling, yard waste or bulk waste on Thursday.
As per our normal operating schedule, the Convenient Drop-Off Center on Cameo Boulevard is closed today. Because this facility may be necessary for debris cleanup after the storm, it will remain closed Wednesday and Thursday to ensure it has capacity.
Due to the storm’s current predicted path, residents are asked to:
- Not trim vegetation of any kind
- Not begin construction projects
- Monitor the City’s website for updates or delays in service
- Avoid placing piles of debris curbside, as collection service can be suspended at any time
- Avoid projects that will produce bulk waste piles
To learn more, click on the severe weather tips & questions at www.CityofPSL.com/SolidWaste.
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.
The City has developed a list of roadways and intersections that experienced flooding during the recent rain event in September, as well as areas that have historically experienced roadway flooding. We encourage residents to avoid these areas if possible, in the event of extreme rainfall during Hurricane Milton.
Public Works and the Port St. Lucie Police Department will be monitoring these areas:
- California/Savona Intersection
- Thornhill between Brisbane and Airoso
- Thornhill/Bayshore & Biltmore Intersections
- Thornhill/Manth Intersection
- Port St. Lucie/Gowin Intersection
- Port St. Lucie Blvd construction area south of Gatlin
- Darwin between Tulip and Paar
- Airoso/Pisces Intersection
- Gatlin/Savona Intersection
- Airoso/Port St. Lucie Intersection
- Melaleuca/Lennard Intersection
- Cashmere/Heatherwood Intersection
- Walton/US 1 Intersection
- PSL/US 1 Intersection
Some roadway flooding has been seen in the area on Tuesday morning. As of 11 a.m., Green River Parkway was closed at Jensen Beach Boulevard in Martin County and north near SE Charleston Drive in Port St. Lucie due to localized flooding.
Police Department: Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 7 a.m., PSLPD will begin operating 13-hour shifts for officers. There will be increased presence at gas stations and stores as residents complete storm preparation, and increased road patrols. Residents are asked to stay off roads unless travel is necessary prior to the storm’s landfall.
The Saints Golf Course: Saints Golf Course closed today due to wet course conditions, including all practice facilities. The Saints Pub is also closed today. The Golf Course will remain closed Wednesday and Thursday.
Utility Systems: Staff is following Utility Systems’ emergency preparedness plan, which includes securing facilities, gassing up vehicles and generators, and readying staff for storm response. We ask that you conserve water during a storm to keep your grinder or STEP tank from filling up, in the event of a power loss.
Residents are reminded to visit Storm Preparation & Recovery to learn more. You can also avoid the long lines to purchase water and save money by filling up containers with tap water to ensure you have plenty of resources during a storm. If you are experiencing any issues with your service, please call Utility Systems Connection Support at 772-873-6400.
Business Tax Closure: The Business Tax and Lien Services offices will close to in-person customers starting at 1 p.m. today.
Local Business Preparation Tips: The City’s Economic Development Administrator provided tips that can help prepare businesses for hurricane impacts. Here are some key steps to consider:
- Identify Vulnerabilities: Evaluate the physical location, infrastructure, and operations for potential risks.
- Review Emergency Plan: Review emergency response plan outlining evacuation procedure, communication protocols, and responsibilities.
- Communication Strategy: Ensure all employees know the plan and their roles, and keep stakeholders, customers, and suppliers informed before, during, and after the event.
- Physical Reinforcements: Strengthen buildings, secure windows, implement flood management (if necessary), and ensure roofs can withstand high winds.
- Supplier Backup Plans: Identify alternate suppliers and create contingency plans.
- Inventory Management: Stock essential supplies and materials in advance.
- Review Policies: Ensure you have adequate insurance coverage for property damage and business interruption.
- Business Continuity Plan: Develop a plan for resuming operations as quickly as possible after the storm.
- Collaborate with Local Authorities: Stay informed about community resources and emergency services.
- Stay Informed: Keep up with weather forecasts and advisories during hurricane season.
By implementing these steps, businesses and commercial partners can enhance their resilience to hurricane impacts and ensure a quicker recovery.
Resolution Passed: A Special City Council meeting was held Oct. 8, at 9 a.m. where a resolution declaring a State of Emergency in the City of Port St. Lucie for Hurricane Milton was passed unanimously. The resolution is standard protocol authorizing the exercise of emergency powers, which is a necessary step in the event the City needs to apply for FEMA funding.
Hurricane Shelters: St. Lucie County will be opening hurricane shelters today at 2 p.m. at Treasure Coast High School in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce Westwood Academy in Fort Pierce and the Havert L. Fenn Center in Fort Pierce.
Price Gouging: Attorney General Ashley Moody is extending Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline following a state of emergency declaration for areas of the state preparing for Tropical Storm Milton, which includes St. Lucie County. Florida’s price gouging law remains in effect for the counties already under the state of emergency order for Hurricane Helene and will remain active for the areas covered by Milton. To report price gouging, call 1-866-9NO-SCAM. For more information please visit: Attorney General Moody Extends Price Gouging Hotline Following Declared State Emergency.
Previously Released Information
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.
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.
Code Compliance: Residents and businesses must bring inside or secure all outdoor items, including lawn furniture, fixtures and any openly stored materials, including temporary signage, on their properties.
Meeting and Event Cancelations: The following meetings scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 9 have been postponed: City U, Special Magistrate Hearing, Site Plan Review Committee, 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.
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, 1st-Annual Trump Dinner.
Parks and Recreation: Parks and Recreation facilities remain open to the public today, with the exception of athletic fields run by the City which are closed. The Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens will close at 1 p.m. today. We will continue to monitor the weather and close any parks or recreation facilities if safety becomes an issue.
On Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10, all Parks and Recreation facilities will be closed. All reservations and class schedules for these days have also been canceled.
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!