EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS
CITY OF TARPON SPRINGS
UTILITY SYSTEM EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Purpose of Water and Sewer System Hurricane Preparedness
The City of Tarpon Springs Public Services and Public Works Departments
have jointly developed a preparedness plan to better protect our water
and sewer system from storm damage. This plan will provide:
- Better protection of property from damage as a result of
failed water and sewer systems.
- Faster recovery time after a hurricane event by protecting
roadways from ruptured pipe damage and protecting our water system from
contamination.
- Better protection or our environment and health by
preventing or minimizing sewage flows until the system can be inspected
and repaired following a major storm.
Water and Sewer System Hurricane Preparedness Plan
Residents should be prepared for disruptions in utility service as part
of any hurricane event. Power outages or disruptions in service from our
water suppliers may occur.
AFTER a level B or higher Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued by
the Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), specific areas of
the water distribution system and sewer system will be shut down. These
areas are selected based upon the relative risk to the water and sewer
system from wave and water damage as a result of a hurricane.
If you do not evacuate as mandated for a level B or higher evacuation,
you must be prepared to have water or sewer services disrupted until the
system is restored.
Areas of Planned Disruptions of Water and Sewer Service
Level B Evacuation: Areas of shutdown are primarily coastal areas, Level
A or B evacuation zones, mobile home parks and lower lying areas
vulnerable to wave and water action.
Level C Evacuation: Additional areas of utility shutdown include Level C
evacuation zones.
Level E Evacuation: The entire City will be subject to disruption in
water and sewer service. Areas of evacuation will be mandated by the
County EOC according to evacuation zone.
Areas Where Water and Sewer Service WILL Be Maintained
Critical Facilities such as evacuation shelters, hospitals, emergency
operations centers (EOC), and the power plant will be provided water and
sewer service as long as such service can be maintained. Critical
facilities include:
- Tarpon Middle School (evacuation shelter)
- Helen Ellis Hospital
- Anclote Power Plant
- Tarpon Springs Public Safety Facility (Emergency Operations Center
EOC)
What to Expect During Disruption to Water and Sewer Service
If water service has been disrupted, the following can be
expected to occur:
- Water pressure will drop until no water will come from the tap and
toilets will not refill after flushing.
- If the water distribution system loses all pressure, a precautionary
boil water notice will be in effect until the water lines are cleared
and water quality is tested and found safe to drink. This may take
several days or more following the storm event to restore service
depending on the severity of the damage.
If sewer service has been disrupted, the following can be
expected to occur:
- Toilets and drains will not function
- If the sewer system is damaged as a result of the storm, it may take
several days or more following the storm event to restore service
depending on the severity of the damage.
More about how to
prepare!