Preparedness Month is not until September, but with Hurricane Dorian bearing down on Florida, Highlands County residents are not waiting. Business was brisk yesterday at local gas stations and grocery stores as residents stocked up on supplies before the advent of the big storm
Sandbags continue to be available for those who need them. locatons are at
At the intersection of CR 17, Isabelle Lake Road and Old Bombing Range Road in Avon Park
On South George Blvd., just north of the EOC at the Highlands County Road & Bridge Dept. south of Sebring and
At the intersection of CR 621 and Highlands Lake Drive in Lake Placid.
The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office has personnel at each location to assist with the filling process for those who need it. Wet weather already has caused flooding in some areas of the county over the past couple of weeks.
Area officials are getting ready for Hurricane Dorian as well. Preparations are being made for the county’s storm shelters. They say there still is space at the special needs shelter at the Bert Harris Agricultural Center. However, folks wanting to use that facility need to pre-register.
Those wishing to register may call the Health Department at 386-6040
Highlands County commissioners reportedly are planning to get togeher tomorrow to declare a state of emergency. School Board members will meet this afternoon. The idea is to make certain special programs will be able to go into place immediately if needed.
In the state capital…Attorney General Ashley Moody has activated Florida’s price gouging hotline to protect consumers.
Gov. Ron DeSantis yesterday declared a state of emergency for counties in the path of Hurricane Dorian. The price-gouging law applies within the area of the declared state of emergency.
The law prohibits extreme increases in the price of essential commodities in response to an officially declared emergency. That includes prices of food, water, hotels, ice, gas, lumber and other equipment.