Hurricane Dorian, a powerful Category 5 Hurricane located in the Atlantic, is forecast to impact Palatka/Putnam County starting Tuesday night through Thursday. It is expected to remain a powerful hurricane as the storm slowly tracks west toward Florida. It is still too early to speculate on potential local impacts from Dorian, which will include heavy rainfall and high wind, as well as flooding along waterways and low-lying areas. Forecasts have confirmed that Dorian will impact the east coast of Florida and inland. Important local information, including news on shelter openings, will be available on all media outlets, including Putnam Co. Emergency Management’s website (www.main.putnam-fl.com). Mandatory Evacuations may be called for -- go to www.main.putnam-fl.com to download the map showing "red zone evacuation areas" or look up your address to see if you are in that zone.
Sandbags are available at the City Lot at 1010 Ocean Street, Palatka until 5 pm on Monday. Check www.main.putnam-fl.com for other locations.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES are closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
NO GARBAGE PICKUP on Tuesday and Wednesday.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NOW: All residents, PLEASE DO NOT PUT ANY YARD TRASH OR DEBRIS ON THE CURB THIS WEEK, as the City cannot guarantee that it will be picked up before the storm arrives. IF YOU ALREADY HAVE YARD TRASH/DEBRIS ON THE CURB, CONTACT PUBLIC WORKS AT 386-329-0107 and we will make every effort to get it picked up before the storm.
ALSO, residents are urged to check the storm drains in your neighborhood, remove any blockages, and keep them clear. Secure anything in your yard or at your business that could be blown into the street or into storm drains, or damage utility lines. Please report any infrastructure issues to the City’s Public Works Department at 386-329-0107 as soon as possible.
Stay informed and vigilant, but do not panic. Put your Hurricane Kit together and be prepared for power outages or, if necessary, evacuation. Sign up go get alerts on your phone or by email at www.putnamalert.com. Prepare for your pets’ safety, too. Shelter information can be found at www.main.putnam-fl.com.
Be Safe and Be Prepared!