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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: LAUREN HAMES 407-246-3106
HURRICANE
FRANCES UPDATE
6 P.M. WEDNESDAY
ORLANDO, FL
(September 1, 2004) – Mayor Buddy Dyer this afternoon held a press conference
calling for citizens to help the City and their neighbors prepare for Hurricane
Frances. The Mayor has extended the City State of Emergency declaration as of
midnight tonight.
That Mayor asks that if citizens own a pickup vehicle capable of hauling debris
that they immediately begin helping to clear neighborhoods of small debris that
can turn into flying objects and take the debris to the City’s residential
debris sites. This collective effort will help keep the City’s stormwater system
clear and limit flying debris during the storm.
The City has expanded its residential debris sites to include building
material, including sections of fence and processed lumber. Debris can be
taken free of charge to one of three sites
The Mayor also
announced that starting Thursday morning, the City will deploy workers from all
City departments to pick up debris in the City’s neighborhoods. The Mayor will
send off the City crews from the T.D. Waterhouse Centre at 8 a.m. and will then
join one of the crews. This City staff debris removal is in addition to the
City’s ongoing debris removal, which includes more than 250 trucks.
The City of Orlando is also providing sandbags to residents and City of
Orlando employees. Residents may go to the City’s streets and drainage building,
located at 1010 S. Woods Ave. Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The
bags are 60-80 lb. capacity each and the limit is ten per household. Shovels,
sand and bags are provided. Citizens will need to fill the bags themselves, so
please bring assistance if necessary. Please bring a proof of residency or City
ID.
The City of Orlando Information Line, 407-246-4268, will be staffed from
5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday. The Orlando Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) will go to Level II partial activation at noon on
Thursday. City Hall will be open Thursday and will open on Friday for emergency
operations only.
The Mayor encourages all citizens to take immediate preparations to protect
their families and their property.
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