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Plant City Expects 'Direct Hit' from Fay

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By George H. Newman & Jan P. Hollingsworth

Published: August 18, 2008

Saying Monday afternoon Plant City expects a "direct hit" from Fay, Mayor Rick Lott announced all municipal departments are preparing to deal with anticipated 60 mph winds and the storm's aftermath.
City hall and all municipal offices will be closed Tuesday, Lott said.

Lott urged residents living in mobile homes to take immediate steps to determine the location of the nearest public shelter and be prepared to evacuate.

"We have prepared for the worst," Lott said. Preparations were under way Monday for the 5 p.m. Tuesday arrival of the tropical storm and, more importantly, the clean up it will necessitate, plus the potential loss of electrical power, he said.

The city manager called all city department directors to a meeting at police headquarters Monday afternoon to coordinate the city's response to any emergencies created by the arrival of Fay.

City Hall and the library will be closed on Tuesday, but trash, yard waste and recyclables will be picked up as scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"We ask the public to not use hard plastic containers for their trash and recycled materials," said City Manager David Sollenberger. "They should use heavy gauged plastic bags securely closed on the curb for pickup. Plastic and metal garbage cans and plastic recycle bins will become deadly missiles in high wind conditions."

"Filled sandbags will be available to city residents on Monday and Tuesday," said traffic supervisor Don Rainard. "Residents need to show us a water bill or receipt from the city to verify their address in the city."

Up to 10 sandbags per residence will be given at the stormwater offices at 1304 W. Spencer St., just north of N. Alexander St., south of Interstate 4.

Monday, city vehicles and equipment were being fueled and workers are securing flags and any other items that might become airborne in the winds, he said.

City officials have been monitoring Fay's path since Sunday. "I was not expecting a direct hit," announced during a Monday meeting at the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations center, a session Lott attended.

With the storm's path being 40 miles wide, even if Fay veers somewhat from its projected course, Plant City will still experience some of its strongest winds, Lott said.

George Shiley, the city's fire chief, said no one should be outside or in the streets when the winds reach 40 miles an hour.
"Limbs and loose impediments can become airborne and deadly when the winds exceed 40 miles per hour," Shiley said. "The best thing the public can do is move all loose objects in their yards indoors until the storm has passed."

Although weather forecasts can change the storm is expected to be closest to Plant City at about 11 p.m. on Tuesday.

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