For immediate release - September 9, 2005

Residents can find sandbags this weekend at 3 fire stations

TAVARES — As Tropical Storm Ophelia churns away from the Florida Atlantic coast, Lake County Emergency Management Division officials are still preparing for any potential impacts.

Due to rainfall received in Lake County over the past several days, minor flooding in some areas is a possibility. Sandbags will be available on Saturday, Sept. 10, and Sunday, Sept. 11, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at three Department of Public Safety Fire Rescue Division fire stations located at:

• Station 14, 42700 State Road 19, Altoona
• Station 53, 2505 Spring Lake Road, Fruitland Park
• Station 109, 11630 Lakeshore Drive, Clermont

Sandbags are limited to 25 per household.

In addition, Emergency Management officials are encouraging displaced persons from Hurricane Katrina that are sheltering in Lake County to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). To register, displaced individuals can call FEMA at (800) 621-3362 or log on to www.fema.gov/assistance.

The local chapter of the American Red Cross is also handling case management issues for displaced persons. Hurricane Katrina refugees sheltering in Lake County are encouraged to call the Red Cross at (352) 314-0883.

Residents are always encouraged to be prepared during hurricane season by updating their family’s disaster plan and restocking their family disaster kit. For more information about hurricane preparedness, log on to our online Hurricane Preparedness Web Guide.

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Contact information:
Christopher Patton
Communications Coordinator
Office: (352) 343-9609; Cell: (352) 455-0445
cpatton@co.lake.fl.us