Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center Partially Activated: Media Update #1 Hillsborough County, Fla. (Aug. 3, 2015) – At 11 a.m., Hillsborough County partially activated its Emergency Operations Center in response to persistent heavy rain. This allows County and partner agencies to better coordinate resources and operations. Hillsborough County continues to make sandbag materials available to the public at three locations during normal business hours Monday, Aug. 3, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.:
- County Public Works West Service Unit, 9805 Sheldon Road
- South Service Unit at 8718 Old Big Bend Road
- East Service Unit at 4702 Sydney Road
Sandbag materials will be available for Hillsborough County residents to make their own sandbags. Each resident must sign their name and provide their home address acknowledging the receipt of 25 sandbags or less.
Residents can call (813) 635-5400 to report flooding and road problems or to request additional information.
Facility Closures
The following libraries are closed today due to street flooding:
- Charles J. Fendig Public Library, 3909 W. Neptune St.
- West Tampa Branch Library, 2312 West Union Street
- Town ‘N Country Regional Public, 7606 Paula Drive, Suite 120
- Jan Kaminis Platt Regional LIbrary, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave.
Safety Tips During Heavy Rain or Flooding Motorists are urged to use care when driving through flooded areas, and to follow posted detour signs. Residents should stay tuned to local television and radio stations for traffic advisories, reports of flooding or other critical information.
Follow these safety tips to help keep you and your family safe:
- Never drive through moving water or standing water. Standing water that is only two feet deep can disable most vehicles.
- If you can’t see the road, turn around. Floodwaters may conceal holes or dangerous objects.
- Avoid walking in flooded areas or rapidly flowing water. Only six inches of fast-flowing water can sweep you off your feet.
- If an area is barricaded, there is a reason. Find an alternate route.
- Treat non-functioning traffic signals as a four-way stop.
- Avoid downed or hanging power lines. Always assume the power line is live.
- Be especially cautious at night, when it is harder to see possible flood dangers. Citizen information Residents can get information on this developing situation by visiting hillsboroughcounty.org or by calling (813) 272-6900.
