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SEPTEMBER 13, 2017
Hurricane Irma: A disruptive force By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutz.com
With Hurricane Irma threatening Florida last week, officials weren’t taking any chances on where or when the massive storm would make landfall. The deadly storm was churning in the Atlantic, when Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency on Sept. 4, warning residents that Irma is a “a massive storm” that could prove devastating. “This storm is bigger, faster and stronger than Hurricane Andrew,” Scott said, during a news conference, referring to a Category 5 Hurricane, ripping through Miami in 1992. Andrew claimed 65 lives and caused an estimated $26.5 billion in damages. “If you’re in an evacuation zone, you’ve got to get out,” Scott said, during one of several interviews he did on national television. In addition to closing all state offices on Sept. 8, he also closed all state colleges, universities and public schools. He said he wanted to provide ample space for shelters. Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel is one of several schools in Pasco County serving as a shelter. It opened at 11 a.m. on Sept. 8 and people were already beginning to arrive. Ninety-one-year-old Mac McKechnie, of Zephyrhills, and his wife, Rae, were among those planning to stay at the shelter. McKechnie said they came to the shelter because they live in an area that floods. Plus, he added:“My wife is a nervous wreck.” Robyn White, principal of the high school, said the shelter has a capacity of around 1,700. “Right now, we don’t have rooms set up for that. We’re going to open us rooms as needed,” she said. The areas are divided into a special needs area and areas for adults and families, White said. The special needs areas will have oxygen and electricity for people who need it for their nebulizers, said Denise Fackender, of the Pasco County Health Department. “We will be supplying oxygen, so that they don’t have to use up their small tanks,” Fackender said. White said the shelter will stay open until officials tell her the event is over, which she expects might be for a few days. Other local schools that were designated to serve as shelters were Sunlake High School, Wesley Chapel High, Centennial Middle, in Pasco County and Hammond Elementary in Hillsborough County. The Laker/Lutz News, regularly published on Wednesdays, went to press on Sept. 8. The initial goal was to deliver the newspaper before Irma made landfall, but the plan changed when it became clear that it would not be possible to achieve that.
COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
Hurricane Irma is deemed to be one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the Atlantic. It had sustained wind speeds of 185 mph.
B.C. MANION
These beds, set up at Wiregrass Ranch High, were awaiting special needs residents who needed to be evacuated for Hurricane Irma.
As the monster storm approached, it was obvious that residents were taking it seriously. Gas and bottled water were in short supply, and parking lots were full at home improvement stores, as customers picked up plywood and other supplies to fortify their homes and businesses. The threat of Hurricane Irma, whose path still remained uncertain at press deadline, caused government offices to close and scores of businesses and local organizations to postpone or cancel events. The Pasco County Commission issued a local state of emergency on Sept. 6 for Pasco County, allowing the county administrator and assistant county administrator of public safety to waive everyday procedures as they feel necessary to ensure the health and safety of the community. The Southwest Florida Water Management District closed all district-managed lands including these properties in the Laker/Lutz News coverage area: Conner Preserve, 22500 State Road 52, in Land O’ Lakes; Cypress Creek Preserve, 8720 Pump Station Road in Land O’ Lakes; the Green
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it Oughta Be! COURTESY OF PASCO COUNTY
A sandbag operation at the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey was shut down due to traffic issues.
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Show on Aug. 31 at Saddlebrook Resort & Spa. The annual event recognizes local businesses, and their owners, for their contributions to Pasco County’s economic development. The new award singled out Porter for his “passion, strong will, persistence and dedication,” according to a news release from the
Pasco County commissioners might soon give local vendors an advantage over their competitors when bidding on county government contracts. Commissioners directed legal staff to amend the county’s purchasing ordinance to create a local preference system for contract bids, during an Aug. 22 workshop in Dade City. For instance, a local company that offers the second lowest bid could become eligible for a contract by matching the low bid offer from a competitor.The rule would apply only within specific guidelines, based on how wide the gap could be between the bids. Also, local engineers, architects and other professional service providers could get extra points when ranked by evaluation committees. Pasco relies on businesses from inside and outside the county, said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells. But, giving preference to local businesses makes sense, he added.“It’s an economic driv-
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COURTESY OF PASCO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
J.D. Porter, left, holds an award bestowed to his father, the late James ‘Don’ Porter. Also shown are Pasco Economic Development Council President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Cronin and Quinn Porter Miller, Don Porter’s daughter.
Awards honor leadership, and local businesses By Kathy Steele ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
INSIDE, PAGE 1B
See IRMA, page 11A
By Kathy Steele
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Swamp West, in Pasco County; Starkey Wilderness Preserve, Serenova Tract, 14900 State Road 52, in Land O’ Lakes. The Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department closed all county parks on Sept. 9, until further notice, because of concerns about inclement weather and potential flooding. Camping ceased on Sept. 8 and no reservations will be accepted until further notice. Pasco County bus service was still running on Sept. 8, but officials said passengers should expect delays. Bus service will be
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B.C. MANION
Robyn White, principal at Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel, said the school could shelter as many as 1,700 people from Hurricane Irma’s effects, if that becomes necessary.
The late James “Don” Porter received the inaugural Leadership Award from the Pasco Economic Development Council for his visionary role in developing the master-planned community at Wiregrass Ranch. Porter’s family accepted the award at the Pasco EDC 31st Annual Awards and Trade