By Marvin G. Cortner

Editor

Osceola County is operating under a state of local emergency declared Monday night in advance of what could be more flooding due to heavy rain from a low pressure system moving north from the Gulf of Mexico that will interact with a cold front moving south over Central Florida.

Emergency Management personnel met Monday to discuss the impending rainfall and high winds as predicted by the National Weather Service and local news meteorologists. Between one and three inches or rain were expected through Wednesday, with amounts up to 4 inches possible in some areas. Two rounds of severe storms are expected, with tornadoes possible later today and then again on Wednesday.

The county Emergency Operations Center was fully activated earlier today. In addition, two shelters were opened at 5 p.m. Monday to provide housing to individuals who have not found alternate housing in face of the flooding threat.

Shelter locations are the Narcoossee Community Center, 5354 Rambling Road, St. Cloud, and a special needs shelter only at the St. Cloud Senior Center, 3101 17th St., St. Cloud.

Residents are urged to try to find alternate housing before going to a shelter. No pet-friendly shelters are available at this time but there will be Animal Control staff on hand to take pets to the county animal shelter until residents return home.

“We request that everyone listen to their local news and follow safety information,” Osceola County Emergency Services Director Richard Collins said, adding that creeks that flooded last week – including Shingle and Boggy creeks – could flood again. “Whatever comes – whether tropical or subtopical – it will bring moisture to our area.

“Weather reports continue to indicate we will receive additional rain in the Upper Kissimmee Basin. This area is already saturated from the rain last week, which is why we are concerned there could be additional flooding today and tonight. We’re continuing to work with our partners to mitigate the problems additional rain may cause. The safety of our citizens is our number one concern.”

Overall concern for flooding is related to areas around the following lakes, according to Collins: East Lake Tohopekaliga, Lake Tohopekaliga, and Cypress, Center, Coon, Trout and Alligator lakes as well as Lake Ajay and Lake Runnymede.

“We continue to urge residents to drive slowly and avoid traveling on inundated roadways,” Collins said. “Driving on flooded roads causes damage to the infrastructure and causes the roadway base to shift. When the water recedes, the roadway can fail or start to fall apart.”

Collins added that residents and motorists are advised to take precautions when approaching standing water and be aware of the hazards of walking or driving a vehicle through flood waters.

“Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather related hazard. The main reason is people underestimate the force and power of water, county officials said in their press release. “More than half of all flood related deaths result from vehicles being swept downstream. Of these, many are preventable.”

Follow these safety rules for flood safety:

• Monitor the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, or your favorite news source for vital weather related information. If flooding occurs, get to higher ground. Get out of areas subject to flooding. This includes dips, low spots and washes.

• Avoid areas already flooded, especially if the water is flowing fast. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams. Road beds may be washed out under flood waters. Never drive through flooded roadways.

• Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening conditions.

• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

County closure update

The following boat ramps or roadways remain closed due to rising water or localized flooding, until further notice: Steffee Landing Park, the boat ramps at Lake Cypress and Lake Marian; the Kempfer Road/Bridge; and the intersection of Lake Marian Road and Peavine Trail

Residents are advised to take precautions and to use care when using boat ramps, especially under the current conditions.

“We encourage boaters to be cautious and adhere to a no wake zone near shore to minimize high-water impacts to property along the shoreline and canals,” Collins said.

Sandbags

Sandbags continue to be available at the following locations until further notice: St. Cloud, 3850 Old Canoe Creek Road, Osceola County Road and Bridge; Kissimmee, 1698 S Hoagland Blvd., Osceola County Road and Bridge; and Austin-Tindall Regional Park, 4100 Boggy Creek Road.

The sand and bags have been dropped off at each location but residents must bring a shovel to fill the bags.

All schools and government offices are expected to remain open. There are no boil water advisories in effect for the county at this time.

County officials continue to monitor the weather and conditions around the county. Residents may find information, including sheltering information, on the Community Safety website at mysafety.osceola.org (be sure to omit the www).

In addition, the county Citizen Information Line has been activated to answer questions from the community. That telephone number is 407-742-0000.

St. Cloud officials partially activate EOC

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. “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 levels immediately responded with a rise .”

Preemptive work continues by the city Public Services Department. The water level 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.