Local governments issue states of emergency for Potential Tropical Cyclone Four, announce sandbag sites

Staff report

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Alachua County has issued a Local State of Emergency in preparation for Tropical Cyclone Four. The order was signed by County Commission Chair Mary Alford Friday evening.

Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward has signed an executive order declaring a local state of emergency as a tropical disturbance advances toward Florida. City of Gainesville Emergency Management staff continue to actively monitor the system, which is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm and bring heavy rains as it moves up the Florida peninsula.

Alachua County

The County will distribute sandbag bags (10 per car) beginning at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday, Aug. 3) and ending at 6 p.m. at Wayside Park (11855 NW US 441). Sandbags, sand, and shovels will be available for self-serve.

Residents wishing to pick up sandbags can access the County’s pick-up site via CR 237 and eastbound NW 126th Ave. To control traffic and expedite the pick-up process, please follow the directions below to access the pick-up site. Access to the site via westbound NW 120th Lane and northbound NW 59th Terrace will not be permitted. 

From Northbound US 441 (From Gainesville)
Turn Right onto CR 237 (at the Dollar General)
Turn Right onto NW 126th Ave.
Turn Right onto NW 59th Terrace to access Wayside Park (at the Mobile Convenient Store)

From Southbound US 441 (From Alachua)
Turn Left onto CR 237 (at the Dollar General)
Turn Right onto NW 126th Ave.
Turn Right onto NW 59th Terrace to access Wayside Park (at the Mobile Convenient Store)

Gainesville

The state of emergency declaration mobilizes all resources necessary to coordinate the City’s severe weather response, including sandbags for neighbors.

• Pre-made sandbags will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Public Works Center, 405 NW 39th Ave. A limit of 10 filled sandbags per vehicle can be picked up at this location. To ease traffic flow, arrive at this location via northbound NW Sixth Street and then turn east (right) onto NW 39th Ave.

• Bags and sand to make self-serve sandbags will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at Citizens Field, 1000 NE Waldo Rd. Please bring a shovel or trowel to fill sandbags at this location. Assistance is available for those in need. A limit of 10 bags for filling will be provided per vehicle. To ease traffic flow, access the site from NE 12th Ave. via Waldo Road, or travel south on NE 15th Street via NE 16th Ave.

• For information about sandbags outside Gainesville city limits, contact your local municipality or visit the Alachua County website.

• Alachua County has activated the 311 Emergency Information line for questions and rumor control.

• Bus service: The City’s Regional Transit System (RTS) continues normal operations at this time. Service will be suspended once area winds reach 35 mph. Visit www.go-rts.com for additional information.

• Solid Waste collection: Residential trash pickup continues normal operations at this time. Service is suspended once area winds reach 35 mph.

• Emergency shelters are not open at this time but information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.

Emergency management updates are available online at www.safeGNV.org. 

Preparing for the storm

The best way to stay up to date is to text the word ALACHUA to 888-777 and follow the Alachua County Facebook page. The Alachua County Ready website is now live and is a good source for the latest storm information.

Alachua County residents should not dismiss this storm. Please take the necessary precautions now to get you and your family ready. You should have your hurricane kits and plans in place if you haven’t already done so.

Some of those actions include, but are not limited to:

• Sign up for emergency alerts by texting ALACHUA to 888-777.
• Clearing items around your home that can be picked up by strong winds.
• Securing property in areas that are prone to flooding.
• Clearing tree limbs from around windows.
• Moving vehicles out from underneath trees.
• Ensuring everyone in your family is familiar with your disaster plan.
• Having a plan for prolonged power outages.
• Refilling prescription medications.
• Having a plan for your pets.
• Checking up on neighbors and those that you know may have special needs.
• Use Alachua.weatherstem.com to view weather stations that are near your home.
• Go to hurricanes.gov and weather.gov/jax for the latest storm track and potential impacts.