Pasco Opens Sandbag Sites; State of Emergency Possible

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — With powerful Hurricane Matthew threatening to bring tropical storm conditions into Pasco County through Friday, officials have opened numerous sandbag locations in the county. A local state of emergency declaration is also under consideration.

Hurricane Matthew was located about 30 miles south-southwest of Nassau, Bahamas, as of the hurricane center’s 8 a.m. Oct. 6 Tropical Weather Outlook report. The system was moving northwest at 12 mph. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, making it a strong Category 3 storm. Forecasters, however, warned the system was likely to regain Category 4 status before arriving near the Sunshine State.

“Additional strengthening is expected today, and Matthew is forecast to be a Category 4 hurricane as it approaches the east coast of Florida,” the hurricane center’s report said. Hurricane-force winds extended out up to 40 miles Thursday morning. Tropical-storm force winds extended out 160 miles, forecasters said.

The entire Tampa Bay area has been placed under a tropical storm watch by the National Weather Service. A watch means conditions are possible within a designated area, typically within 48 hours.

• Keep up with Hurricane Matthew: Download the new Patch news app for real-time notifications.

Pasco County’s emergency service director Kevin Guthrie is expected to address the county commission Thursday morning to decide whether a local state of emergency should be declared ahead of the storm’s arrival. Gov. Rick Scott declared a statewide state of emergency earlier in the week.

As of Thursday morning, sandbags were being offered to Pasco County residents at the following locations:

• West Pasco Government Center, 7530 State St., New Port Richey
• Mitchell Park, 4825 Little Road, New Port Richey
• C-Barn, 30908 Warder Road, San Antonio
• Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes
• Dade City Police Department, 38042 Pasco Ave., Dade City
• Fire Station No. 2, 6907 Dairy Road, Zephyrhills

All sandbag locations are expected to remain open until 5 p.m. Oct. 6.

Image via Shutterstock