Palm Beach County has also pulled the trigger... trying not to have 2000 people drown by the lake again...
The County Commission has declared a state of emergency in Palm Beach County in preparation for the approach of Hurricane Frances.
In a news conference held in the County’s Emergency Operations Center today at 2:00 p.m. the following decisions were announced to be effective tomorrow, Thursday, September 2:
• County schools will close three hours early.
• Emergency shelters will open at 2:00 p.m.
• Special Care Unit at the Fairgrounds will open at 10:00 a.m.
• Headstart classes will be available all day.
• County Government offices will close at noon.
• Port of Palm Beach will close at noon.
• Palm Tran buses will operate all day.
• Palm Beach International Airport will operate; travelers are advised to call airlines for flight specific information.
• Evacuations will commence on a voluntary basis until Friday.
• Evacuations on Friday will be mandatory for residents in mobile homes, the barrier islands and those areas prone to flooding.
• Residents inside the dike at Lake Okeechobee are advised to evacuate.
• Boat owners are advised to move crafts to safe harbor prior to bridge lockdown expected Friday early morning.
The National Hurricane Center is expected to announce a Hurricane Watch condition for Palm Beach County in effect for this evening. A Hurricane Warning is expected to go in effect starting Friday morning.
Further advisories will be released as necessary. Residents are advised to stay tuned to local broadcast stations for further emergency information.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL: Public Affairs 561 355-2754
Florida Shelter Status by County
Hurricane Shelter Maps for the west coast:
Hillsborough
Pinellas
Pasco
Polk
Sarasota
Manatee
Hernando
Citrus
Monroe County under no evacuation orders as of yet. Cautiously optimistic about our chances, since they evacuate the Keys early if they even suspect a possibility of trouble. Have lots of friends along the coast and hope for the best for everyone.
LBelle