Pasco County Declares Local State of Emergency Ahead of Tropical Storm Hermine

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Pasco County Commissioners on Wednesday declared a Local State of Emergency in advance of Tropical Storm Hermine’s anticipated Thursday arrival in the area.

“The declaration allows the County Administrator and Emergency Services Director to waive everyday procedures and do what they feel is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community,” the county explained in an email to media. The order covers such actions as making emergency purchases, ordering evacuations, hiring workers, using volunteers and so on.

The action will remain in effect for seven days or until the county administrator determines it is no longer needed.

Gov. Rick Scott also declared a state of emergency for 42 counties, including Pasco on Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Hermine's formation in the Gulf of Mexico was announced by the National Hurricane Center in a 2 p.m. Wednesday update. The storm was located about 350 miles west-southwest of Tampa as of 5 p.m. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was moving north-northeast at 7 mph.

On its present course, Hermine is expected to make landfall somewhere along Florida's Gulf Coast or Panhandle Thursday afternoon before crossing the state and heading into the southern portion of Georgia and onto South Carolina. The storm could also pose a threat for North Carolina and Virginia over the Labor Day weekend. Forecasters warned in the 5 p.m. update the storm "could be near hurricane strength by the time landfall occurs."

By Wednesday evening, a hurricane watch was in effect for Florida's Anclote River area north to Destin. A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. A tropical storm warning has also been issued for the same area. A warning means conditions are expected to arrive within 36 hours.

A tropical storm watch has also been issued for Marineland, Florida, to Altamaha Sound, Georgia, on the east coast.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service’s Ruskin office are warning Tampa Bay area residents to brace for the potential of heavy rain, flooding, storm surge and tornadoes.

Pasco County Schools are closed on Thursday, but some government offices are expected to remain open. Residents in need of assistance as the storm approaches can contact the Resident Information Center at 727-847-2411. For emergencies, call 911.

Storm updates from the county are available on the county’s website at www.pascocountyfl.net or by downloading the MyPasco App at http://fl-pascocounty.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=2248.

Image courtesy of the National Hurricane Center