Gov. Scott: Federal Pre-Landfall Emergency Declaration Signed by the President
Today, following Governor
On
See below for more information on what the
STATE PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
* Hurricane Warning:
* A hurricane warning is in effect for the
* Tropical Storm Warning:
* A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from the
* Tropical Storm Watch:
* Tropical storm watches are in effect from
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* Storm Surge Warning
* A storm surge warning is in effect from the
* Storm Surge Watch
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EVACUATIONS
Though the below evacuation orders are current and in effect, everyone should check with their local emergency management office or website for the most up to date information regarding evacuations as they are constantly being updated.
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* Those with high profile vehicles, living in mobile homes, low lying areas, or anyone who feels unsafe in their current location
All of these areas must be evacuated within 24 hours of this notice. Critical businesses in those areas may remain open until
A Voluntary Evacuation has been issued for Highway 98 Inland on
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* Any other area that is prone to storm surge
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SHELTERS
* The state is supporting sheltering operations in the Florida
* There are currently 32 shelters reported open and more are being mobilized by the counties.
* Visit https://www.floridadisaster.org/shelter-status/ to find information on shelters in your area. This site is being updated as shelters open throughout the day.
UTILITIES
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MILITARY SUPPORT
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* They are well-equipped, with assets including more than 1,000 high water vehicles, 13 helicopters, and 16 boats. They are preparing for possible missions to include humanitarian assistance, security operations, and search and rescue.
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LAW ENFORCEMENT
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* During patrols, FWC officers are reaching out to residents in the most rural areas of the potentially affected areas to make sure they are prepared for severe weather conditions.
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* FDLE has communicated with members and partners in the panhandle to make preparations and be ready to begin response operations tomorrow morning.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
* The
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TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC WORKS
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* FDOT is currently preparing roadways for impacts from Hurricane Michael.
* FDOT has suspended all construction operations from the roadways in the counties under the state of emergency.
* FDOT is coordinating with the
* FDOT is monitoring roadways for potential evacuations and identifying bridge pinspectors statewide.
* FDOT is preparing all standby generators for traffic signal support.
* FDOT issued an Emergency Road Use Permit letter to relieve size and weight restrictions for vehicles responding to Hurricane Michael.
* FDOT participated in the regional coordination teleconference with
* FDOT issued
* FDOT is supporting local evacuations and transport of local evacuees.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND MEDICAL
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* APD is also checking on individuals with developmental disabilities who live in their own homes to ensure they are prepared for the hurricane.
* APD has canceled all guest reservations for the week for
* APD is making
* The
* Florida's State Surgeon General Dr.
* DOH has initiated daily county ESF-8 conference calls with County Health Departments to determine local protective actions, status of local health care systems, special needs shelter status, and unmet needs.
* DOH has requested 5 ambulance strike teams and 35 Special Needs Shelter Teams to support relief efforts.
* To prepare for, respond to, and mitigate any effect of Hurricane Michael, the DOH issued an emergency order allowing health care professionals with a valid, unrestricted and unencumbered license in any state, territory, and/or district to render services in Florida during a period not to exceed thirty days (unless extended).
* DOH is actively identifying pre-positioned federal health and medical assets by type, quantity, and location.
* DOH is working to forecast long-range public health and medical resource needs and identify potential areas for EMAC and federal resource support.
* DOH is monitoring and supporting
* CHDs are coordinating with their local
* CHDs are reviewing their local continuity of operations plans to ensure public health activities and CHD services are not interrupted by the storm.
* CHDs are conducting outreach to health care facilities within the county to ensure they are implementing facility level emergency plans.
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* All nursing homes and assisted living facilities are required to keep residents in a safe environment in an emergency to ensure the protection of resident health, safety, welfare, and comfort.
* Facilities are required to have a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan approved and on file with the local emergency management agencies.
* Nursing facilities all have back-up power that can power medical equipment and refrigeration for medicine and food.
* Additionally, facilities are required to have an emergency power plan in place to ensure that resident occupied area temperatures do not exceed 81 degrees. These plans include onsite generators, delivered generators, or shifting populations to locations that can maintain comfortable temperatures.
* As part of licensure, facilities are responsible for the health and safety of their patients.
* The State is here to serve as a resource to connect facilities to the local emergency management officials to make sure needs are being met.
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* AAAs continue to coordinate with their Lead Agencies, local service providers, and local county offices of emergency management as part of their emergency relief measures. Call-downs have already begun to assess client needs before, during, and after the storm.
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* Before, during, and after the storm, the Area Agencies on Aging will continue to operate the statewide, toll-free Elder Helpline -- 1-800-96-ELDER.
* The
* The 120-bed
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* DCF has ordered an early release of food assistance benefits for those Florida residents in the 11 counties under a hurricane watch who would have received normal SNAP benefits between now and 10/28. Benefits will be released to their cards 10/9 at
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
* The
* DEP has activated and is closely monitoring StormTracker, a reporting tool for water and waste water facilities to provide updates on their operational status.
* An online tool for the public to report the location of storm debris in waterways has been deployed.
* The current condition of the state's beaches has been assessed, which will expedite post-storm assessments.
* 235 Disaster Debris Management Sites have been pre-authorized for the counties addressed by the Governor's Executive Order.
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* DEP's Florida Park Service has opened areas to dry camp for self-contained rigs - usually parking lots without utility connections - at some state parks for evacuees on a first come, first served basis with waived overnight fees. A list of open parks and contact information to check for availability can be found at https://www.floridastateparks.org/get-involved/storm-assistance.
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
* To help residents and emergency personnel stay connected following the storm, Comcast is opening its network of more than 8,000 Xfinity WiFi hotspots throughout the Florida
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* The state has opened the Private Sector Hotline at (850) 815-4925. The hotline is available for business inquiries about the storm, preparedness information and post-impact information.
* DEO continues to coordinate with CareerSource Florida, local workforce boards, and other public-private partners.
* VISIT Florida has activated the
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* A team from
EDUCATION
* The
* The following school districts have announced closures:
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* Florida State University Schools (
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* The following state colleges and universities have announced closures:
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* Districts are opening shelters as needed; for a list of Florida shelters, visit https://www.floridadisaster.org/planprepare/shelters/.
* FDOE will be posting up-to-date information regarding closures and meeting cancellations at www.fldoe.org/hurricaneinfo.
INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
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* Insurance Commissioner
* Have resources positioned and available to respond to consumers' needs
* Assess damage and pay claims quickly
* Report any challenges or issues as quickly as possible
* Report claims to the OIR on time and in accordance with the reporting schedule that will be issued later today
* OIR has fully activated its Incident Management Unit and has representatives at the
* In accordance with the Governor's Executive Order, OIR has notified all health insurers, managed care organizations and other health entities of their statutory obligation to allow for early prescription refills during a state of emergency.
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STATE OFFICE CLOSURES
* State offices will be closed tomorrow through Thursday in the 35 counties included in
* DMS will stay in contact with all state offices and has asked them to report closures in WebEOC.
VOLUNTEER EFFORTS
* As the state's lead agency for coordinating volunteers and donations before, during and after disasters, Volunteer Florida has established resources for individuals and groups who would like to support Floridians affected by Hurricane Michael.
* Those interested in volunteering can visit www.VolunteerFlorida.org and register on the volunteer database.
* As disaster response organizations, like the
* The
* The
* Personnel and mobile feeding units are on standby ready to move in after the storm. The
STATE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER/ CONTACTS
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* The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) contact number is 1-800-342-3557.
* The State Emergency Operations Center Media Line: 850-921-0217.
* Follow @FLSert or @FLGovScott on Twitter for live updates on Hurricane Michael.
Visit http://www.floridadisaster.org/info to find information on shelters, road closures, and evacuation routes.
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