Hurricane Irma: Pasco Needs Volunteers, Donations

LAND O’ LAKES, FL – While its residents are heeding mandatory evacuation notices, Pasco County needs help to serve the people who are fleeing from Hurricane Irma.

Pasco County is seeking volunteers to help in shelters throughout the county. It asked for faith-based organizations and other charitable organizations that have volunteers available to call (727) 947-8940. All volunteers for hurricane shelters must have completed a recent background check.

Also, all Pasco County businesses, faith-based organizations and charter schools are asked to consider being an alternate shelter in case additional room is needed to house evacuees from Pasco County and outside the area. To register as an alternate shelter, e-mail OEM@PascoCountyFL.net. Pasco County Building inspectors will be sent to ensure alternate facilities are hurricane ready.

For residents who want to help but are not qualified to volunteer, Pasco County has requested donations of non-perishable food, water and tarps for recovery efforts. Donations can be brought to the Salvation Army Warehouse, 7745 Ridge Road, New Port Richey. For questions about donations, call Pasco County Customer Service at (727) 847-2411.

Click here for the latest list of open Pasco County shelters.

Closures and Suspensions in Pasco County

• All sandbag location in Pasco County closed at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9.
• Pasco County Emergency Services will respond until wind speeds or other weather conditions become unsafe.
• Pasco County Public Transportation has suspended regular services. Buses are running evacuations and will continue as long as it is safe.
• Pasco County Schools will be closed Monday, Sept. 11 and Tuesday, Sept. 12.
• Pasco County residential curbside trash and recycling collection services are suspended until further notice. Commercial collection service suspension will be determined on a case-by-case basis by each individual hauler. Commercial customers are requested to contact their service provider for more information. Residents and businesses are requested to secure Port-a-Johns, construction Dumpsters and overall trash Dumpsters.
• All Pasco County Senior Center locations have closed, and are scheduled to reopen Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 9 a.m., weather permitting. All home delivery services are canceled and will resume once conditions improve. For more information, visit http://www.pascocountyfl.net/Index.aspx?NID=366.

Other Pasco County closures include:

• Pasco County Libraries
• Pasco County Extension Office
• Pasco County Building Construction Services
• All Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department parks
• All City of New Port Richey parks
• Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller and the Courts
• All campuses of Pasco-Hernando State College
• Pasco County Animal Services

Image via Pasco County, Florida, Government Facebook page