Brooksville, Florida (July 5, 2021) – On July 5, 2021, the Brooksville City Council held an emergency meeting to declare a local state of emergency in preparation for Tropical Storm
Elsa. The state of emergency enables City leaders to take necessary actions to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the City and its residents as well as City staff.
As of 7:00 am this morning, Hernando County is under a Tropical Storm Watch with anticipated landfall between Tampa Bay and Cedar Key. Tropical Storm force winds may arrive as early as 5:00 pm on Tuesday, July 6, with a most likely arrival around 9:00 pm. Rain is expected at 2”- 4” with a potential for 40-60 MPH wind gusts and sustained winds at 50 MPH. Isolated tornados are possible on the east side of the storm.
A voluntary evacuation order is in place for coastal Zone A, mobile homes and low-lying areas. The Enrichment Center (ECI) in Brooksville will open at 9:00 am on Tuesday, July 6, as
shelter for residents in these zones and will accommodate the general population, special needs, and is pet-friendly. The Enrichment Center is located at 800 John Gary Grubbs Boulevard.
Residents may visit https://bit.ly/2JYEKGN, to find the zone locations.
Shelter residents are asked to:
• Bring identification.
• Eat prior to arrival; the first meal will be dinner
• Bring air mattress or seeping bags, cots will not be provided for the general
population
• Bring medicines, blanket/sheet, snacks, water and personal hygiene products
• Call the special needs registry at (352) 75404083 to request transportation
• Make every effort to carpool due to limited parking
The City of Brooksville will be open for normal government operations on Tuesday, July 6. However, the City Council Meeting scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, July 6, at 7:00 pm will be rescheduled for Monday, July 12, at 7:00 pm. Government closure for Wednesday, July 7, will be evaluated and updated on Tuesday afternoon.
The City’s sandbag filling station has depleted 30 yards of sand; however, additional sand will be ordered and is anticipated to arrive to the site on Tuesday, July 6. Updated information
will be available on the City’s website.
The City will continue to monitor and inform the community about possible storm impacts and encourages all citizens to make the necessary preparations. A 72-hour Disaster Survival Kit is recommended; a suggested Hurricane Supply List can be found on the City’s website:
https://www.cityofbrooksville.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif4206/f/uploads/suggested_hurricane_supply_kits_.pdf
For further emergency information, visit our website http://www.cityofbrooksville.us or call the City of Brooksville at 352-540-3810.
