City of Gainesville, FL

05/08/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/08/2024 14:57

Hurricane Debby update #4

Hurricane Debby update #4

Published on August 05, 2024

The City of Gainesville continues to monitor Hurricane Debby. As of this morning, the Public Works Department has received 10 calls for downed trees within city limits and no reported flooding. Some traffic signals are out. When approaching an intersection with a flashing or dark signal light, be cautious and treat it as a four-way stop.

Staff from the Gainesville Police Department, Gainesville Fire Rescue, Public Works, RTS and other departments are working throughout the city to keep the community safe. First responder vehicles are fueled and chainsaws are at the ready as the storm moves through our area. RTS is running reduced service today with no campus routes and reduced frequency on all other routes. Fares are suspended throughout the day.

Remember to stay away from downed trees, which may be tangled in power lines. Make sure generators are placed in well-ventilated areas, not in the garage, and at least 20 feet from the house.

The city encourages neighbors to stay home as the storm moves through. Continue to stay off flooded roads and monitor local meteorologists' reports as well as updates that are available online and on social media from the National Weather Service-Jacksonville and the National Hurricane Center.

Gainesville remains under a tropical storm warning, flood watch and tornado watch.

  • Tropical storm conditions, with a 65% chance of seeing at least 39 mph winds, are expected Monday and Tuesday. Take a quick look around your yard and bring inside anything that could be blown around or become a projectile in a storm.
  • Heavy rainfall between 10-12 inches is expected through Thursday with some local flooding. Never drive through flooded areas. Remember: turn around; don't drown.

Emergency Shelters

  • Alachua County issued an evacuation order for mobile homes, manufactured homes, recreational vehicles and other vulnerable homes. Three shelters are open at this time.
  • Neighbors who need to get to a shelter are encouraged to do so before nightfall. Additional shelter information is available online.

Two general population, pet-friendly shelters:

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center, 1028 NE 14th St., Gainesville
  • Easton-Newberry Sports Complex, 24880 NW 16th Ave., Newberry

One special needs shelter:

  • Gainesville/Alachua County Senior Recreation Center, 5701 NW 34th Blvd., Gainesville
  • Those needing transportation to the special needs shelter should call 352-955-2575 as soon as possible.

Facilities

  • City offices and facilities are closed today, Aug. 5, and remain closed until further notice.
  • All city parks, including Ironwood Golf Course, remain closed.

Refuse Collection:

  • All waste and recycling pick up will be delayed one day for the rest of this week. Tomorrow's service is expected to occur on Tuesday; Tuesday's collection is expected to occur on Wednesday and so forth.

Regional Transit System (RTS)

  • Bus service has been reduced with no campus routes and reduced frequency on all other routes. Fares are suspended throughout the day to support neighbors who need transportation to an emergency shelter.

Additional resources:

  • Alachua County has activated the 311 Emergency Information line for questions and rumor control. Neighbors can dial 311 on cell phone or 352-264-6557 from cell or landline.
  • Sign up for email, phone and text notifications at www.alertgnv.org.
  • Visit GRU.com/StormCentral for a list of important phone numbers in the event of service emergencies, as well as a link to the Gainesville Regional Utilities outage map with estimated time of restoration.

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