Hernando County Update on Local Resources After Recent Storm Events

(Brooksville, FL) – Effective Friday, November 1, 2024, Hernando County Emergency Management will be demobilizing the Comfort Stations on the West Side of the County located at Aripeka Baptist Church (18731 Aripeka Road) and at 4054 Shoal Line Boulevard (old R Beach location). The County will also be demobilizing the mobile office for Emergency Permitting located at Linda Pederson Park, along with all associated bathrooms and ancillary equipment, effective Friday, November 1, 2024.

Comfort Stations Open 24/7:
Comfort stations include showers, laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, and charging stations.
Ridge Manor Community Park (34030 Ridge Manor Blvd, Ridge Manor, FL 33523)
Ridge Manor Community Center (34240 Cortez Blvd, Ridge Manor, FL 33523)

Family Resource Center:
A Family Resource Center (FRC) is open at the Ridge Manor Community Center (34240 Cortez Blvd, Ridge Manor, FL 33523) and will be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through Sunday, November 3rd. The FRC contains resources, FEMA assistance, American Red Cross, United Way of Hernando County, MREs, water, etc. Please note, the FRC will temporarily close on November 4th for the Supervisor of Elections to set up the location as a polling site, and November 5th on Election Day. The FRC is planned to be reopened Wednesday afternoon. The public will be notified when the location is officially reopened.

Transit Services:
TheBus has closed the West Side Special Emergency Transportation Service in lieu of low ridership and the demobilization of the stations on the West Side. Resources were routed to the East Side and TheBus began providing Special Emergency Transportation Services in the Ridge Manor Community on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

TheBus will run seven days a week, and will start at the Ridge Manor Community Center at 8:00 a.m. and end at Ridge Manor Park at 7:00 p.m.

TheBus will have two route scenarios, depending on demand:
Scenario One will be for shopping only and will stop at the Ridge Manor Community Center, Ridge Manor Park, and Walmart Supercenter.
Scenario Two will provide both FEMA recovery and shopping. The route will stop at the Ridge Manor Community Center, Ridge Manor Park, Walmart Supercenter, and the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC.)

Debris Removal:
County-wide debris removal is still ongoing. Over 116,746 cubic yards of debris have been picked up. If you have questions about debris removal, please call the dedicated hotline at 833-307-5580, open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For updates on debris removal, check out our dashboard here: https://tt-emi.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/53ae11e13e3341c999d54a12500ad9b9

Solid Waste:
The Hernando County Solid Waste Department currently has roll-off containers available for collecting household garbage at Ridge Manor Community Park (34030 Ridge Manor Blvd, Ridge Manor, FL 33523). The containers will be available Monday through Saturday. As a reminder, all solid waste facilities are closed on Sunday. These containers will be available until the East Side Convenience Center reopens. Please remember, only household garbage will be accepted. No yard waste, furniture, or storm debris will be allowed.

Disaster Recovery Center:
The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) remains open 7 days a week at the West Hernando Library Branch (6335 Blackbird Ave., Brooksville, FL 34613). This center provides essential support for disaster survivors, offering information from Florida state agencies, FEMA, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Get help with federal assistance applications, disaster loans, and learn about available resources.

Important FEMA Registration Deadlines:
Hurricane Debby: Nov. 12
Hurricane Helene: Nov. 27
Hurricane Milton: Dec. 11

Stay informed with all storm-related updates at www.HernandoCounty.us/EM.