November 9, 2022, 10:08 PM
County shares safety messaging and resources,
Urges residents to stay home and stay safe
As Hurricane Nicole impacts our area, Martin County officials urge residents and visitors to stay home and heed safety warnings and messages. Waking up after a storm, it’s tempting to check out surrounding areas, but residents are encouraged to stay home to allow county staff and first responders to assess any damage and clear roadways once the storm has passed.
Flooding
Do not drive through standing water as it can hide potential hazards such as downed power lines and debris. It’s always important to remember to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
- Updated road closure information is available at www.martin.fl.us/Hurricane
- For flood safety information, visit www.martin.fl.us/MCFlood
- If there is standing water in your home and you need a place to stay, contact the Red Cross at 772-299-8841
Power Outages
In the event of a power outage, information and safety tips can be found at www.FPL.com/Storm. To find updates on any outages in your area or to report one, visit www.FPL.com/PowerTracker.
- If traffic lights are not working, treat the intersection as a four-way stop
- Keep away from fallen power lines
- Use flashlights, not candles, for lighting in your home
- Unplug appliances and electronics to avoid damage from power surges
- Keep freezers and refrigerators closed
- If using a generator, keep it outside in a well-ventilated area away from windows
- County-maintained grinder stations will not operate without power but may be powered using a portable generator during power outages to provide sewer service FAQS.
After the Storm
Water may pool for a time in the streets and swales, as they are critical components of the stormwater management plan. Please allow several days without additional rainfall for the water to recede before submitting a request for service. If you need to submit a request for service (RFS), visit https://www.martin.fl.us/RFS. To ensure your swales are doing their job, make sure they are clear of debris.
Stay Informed
- Find all county information related to Hurricane Nicole on the county website at www.Martin.fl.us/hurricane
- Call the Community Information Line at 772-287-1652 with storm-related questions
- Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube Channel
- Sign up to receive area-specific emergency alerts at www.martin.fl.us/AlertMartin
November 8, 2022, 6:45 PM
Martin County Announces Voluntary Evacuations, To Open Shelters
Martin County officials have announced voluntary evacuations beginning 8:00 AM on Wednesday, November 9th in conjunction with shelter openings. Voluntary evacuations apply to Evacuation Zones A&B, which includes residences on the barrier islands (Hutchinson Island and Jupiter Island), Sewall’s Point and manufactured/mobile homes, as well as homes in low-lying, vulnerable areas.
GOING TO A SHELTER?
Residents who need transportation assistance to a shelter are encouraged to call the Community Information Line at 772-287-1652.
What to Bring?
- 3-5 days of non-perishable food (for those with special diets)
- Water, medication, clothing, toiletries, snacks
- Bedding, pillows, cot, sleeping bag
- Identification, important documents, cash, flashlight
- Books, magazines and quiet toys for kids
- For infants: Food, supplies, diapers, blankets, bedding, clothing
What Not to Bring?
- Pets (except at the pet-friendly shelter)
- Drugs/alcohol
- Firearms
GENERAL SHELTERS
Evacuation shelters will open on Wednesday, November 9th at 8:00 AM. Residents are encouraged to consider other options before deciding to go to a shelter.
- Port Salerno Elementary School, 3260 SE Lionel Terrace, Stuart
- Jensen Beach High School, 2875 NW Goldenrod Road, Jensen Beach
- Warfield Elementary School, 15260 SW 150th Street, Indiantown
SPECIAL NEEDS SHELTER
A special needs shelter will be open on Wednesday, November 9th at 8:00 AM at Anderson Middle School, located at 7000 SE Atlantic Ridge Drive in Stuart. This shelter includes limited medical oversight and is designed for residents with electricity-dependent needs such as oxygen. Pre-registration is required online at https://bit.ly/MC_Shelters or by calling 772-287-1652.
PET-FRIENDLY SHELTER
A pet-friendly shelter will be available for residents and their dogs and/or cats at Willoughby Learning Center, located at 5150 SE Willoughby Boulevard in Stuart. The shelter will open on Wednesday, November 9th at 8:00 AM and will accommodate up to 300 residents and their pets. Residents will be separated from pets but can visit to care for them. Please note: if the pet-friendly shelter experiences a loss of power, there will not be any air conditioning.
What to Bring?
- Your pet
- Crate
- Shot records
- Current rabies vaccination certificate
- County animal license tags
- Medications for you and your pet if needed
- Food for you and your pet
- Cleaning supplies if necessary
- Newspaper or pet pad
- Comfort items for your pet
STAY INFORMED
- Find all county information related to Tropical Storm Nicole on the county website at www.martin.fl.us/Hurricane.
- Call the Community Information Line at 772-287-1652 to have storm related questions answered between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
- Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
- Sign up to receive area-specific alerts at www.martin.fl.us/AlertMartin.
November 8, 2022, 3:00 PM
Martin County Preparing for Tropical Storm Nicole
County to open shelters and recommends voluntary evacuations for some areas
Martin County Emergency Management, county leadership and municipal and public safety partners are participating in calls with the state emergency management team and the National Weather Service as we monitor and prepare for Tropical Storm Nicole.
Martin County is currently under a Hurricane Warning, Tropical Storm Warning and a Storm Surge Warning, with tropical winds, storm surge and flooding rains posing the greatest threats to our area. We ask residents to prepare for the possibility of Category 1 hurricane-force winds and the potential for storm surge water levels to rise by 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels. Marine and coastal impacts will reach dangerous levels, resulting in pounding surf and large breaking waves on the beaches. The National Weather Service anticipates impacts to our area beginning Wednesday.
VOLUNTARY EVACUATIONS
Martin County officials have announced voluntary evacuations beginning 8 a.m. on Wednesday, November 9 in conjunction with shelter openings. Voluntary evacuations apply to Evacuation Zones A&B, which includes residences on the barrier islands (Hutchinson Island and Jupiter Island), Sewall’s Point and manufactured/mobile homes, as well as homes in low-lying, vulnerable areas.
SHELTERS
General Shelters - Evacuation shelters will open on Wednesday, November 9 at 8 a.m. Residents are encouraged to consider other options before deciding to go to a shelter. Shelter locations are:
- Port Salerno Elementary School, 3260 SE Lionel Terrace, Stuart
- Jensen Beach High School, 2875 NW Goldenrod Road, Jensen Beach
- Warfield Elementary School, 15260 SW 150th Street, Indiantown
Special Needs Shelter - A special needs shelter will be open on Wednesday, November 9 at 8 a.m. at Anderson Middle School, located at 7000 SE Atlantic Ridge Drive in Stuart. This shelter includes limited medical oversight and is designed for residents with electricity-dependent needs such as oxygen.
Pet-friendly Shelter - A pet-friendly shelter will be available for residents and their dogs and/or cats at Willoughby Learning Center, located at 5150 SE Willoughby Boulevard in Stuart. The shelter will open on Wednesday, November 9 at 8 a.m. and will accommodate up to 300 residents and their pets. Residents will be separated from pets but can visit to care for them. Please note: if the pet-friendly shelter experiences a loss of power, there will not be any air conditioning.
SANDBAG OPERATIONS
Martin County is offering sand and bags for self-service filling at Halpatiokee Regional Park, located at 8303 SW Lost River Road in Stuart, today, Tuesday, November 8th until 3 p.m. Staff will be available to assist in filling bags, but residents are encouraged to bring their own shovels to expedite the process. After 3 p.m., the sandbag area will be unstaffed but open as long as sand and bags are available.
CLOSURES
- Schools: The Martin County School District has announced that schools will be closed on Wednesday, November 9th and Thursday, November 10th. In addition, all after-school activities, events and programs will be cancelled Wednesday and Thursday. Schools and offices were already scheduled to be closed on Friday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day.
- County Offices: All Martin County BOCC offices and facilities, including all Martin County Library System branches, will be closed on Wednesday, November 9th and Thursday, November 10th. Offices were already scheduled to be closed on Friday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day. Normal operations will resume on Monday, November 14th however, library branches will resume operations on Saturday, November 12th.
- County Parks and Facilities: All county parks, programs and facilities (including Sailfish Sands Golf Course, Seaside Café and Sand Dune Café) will be closed Wednesday, November 9th and Thursday, November 10th. Beaches will be unguarded until further notice.
- Event Cancellations: The Veterans Day Parade, scheduled for Friday, November 11th, has been cancelled
- Bridges: The Hobe Sound Bascule Bridge is in the locked-down position as of noon on Tuesday, November 8th. The bridge is closed to marine traffic but the closure will not impact vehicular or pedestrian traffic. It is anticipated the bridge will reopen on November 11th at 1:00 PM.
- Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller: Offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 9th and Thursday, November 10th, as well as Friday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day. Normal operations will resume on Monday, November 14th.
- Property Appraiser: Offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 9th and Thursday, November 10th, as well as Friday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day. Normal operations will resume on Monday, November 14th.
- 19th Judicial Circuit: All courthouses within the 19th Judicial Circuit will be closed on Wednesday, November 9th and Thursday, November 10th.
- Tax Collector: All offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 9th and Thursday, November 10th.
GARBAGE, RECYCLING AND YARD WASTE
For Waste Management customers in unincorporated Martin County, all garbage services will be suspended on Wednesday, November 9th and Thursday, November 10th.
- If your residential garbage pickup day is on a Thursday, then your pickup will be on Friday, November 11th this week.
- If your residential garbage pickup day is on a Friday, then your pickup will be on Saturday, November 12th this week.
UPDATES AND INFORMATION
- AlertMartin is a free service that allows Emergency Management, Fire Rescue, Utilities, Martin County Sheriff's Office and municipal partners to send important public safety messages, evacuation notices and other timely warnings by phone, text and/or email. To receive notifications, residents must sign up at www.martin.fl.us/alertmartin.
- Residents can call the Community Information Center at 772-287-1652 to have their storm-related questions answered between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
SAFETY MESSAGES
- Alleviate potential flooding by clearing storm drains of debris.
- Standing water may hide potential hazards such as energized power lines. If you approach standing water while driving, turn around, don’t drown.
- For flood safety information or to report flooding, visit www.martin.fl.us/MCFlood.
- If traffic lights are not working, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
- If you need emergency services, call 9-1-1.
Up-to-date emergency information may be found on the County website at www.martin.fl.us/hurricane. Residents are encouraged to connect with us on social media. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
