City of St. Cloud officials partially activated the city Emergency Operations Center today at 9 a.m., in response to the potential for heavy rainfall within the city limits.

At this time, no watches or warnings have been issued in St. Cloud.

“This system is still very disorganized,” explained St. Cloud’s Fire Chief/Emergency Manager Bill Johnston referring to the low pressure system moving north from the Gulf of Mexico. “Regardless of tropical development, we will see periods of heavy rain and gusty winds within the next 24-hour time period. The threat for severe weather will likely hold off until this afternoon and last into this evening as a squall line moves in from the Gulf. We received 0.4 inches of rain last night at the city’s EOC; East Lake (Tohopekaliga) levels immediately responded with a rise.”

City officials said preemptive work continues by the city Public Services Department. The water levels in target retention ponds have been reduced; there has been pre-staging of pumps in critical areas; extra sandbags have been filled for deployment by emergency response personnel, if needed; and logistical equipment has been readied for lift-station support.

The city’s public information line is now open at 407-957-7161.