City of Port St. Lucie Tropical Storm Nicole Advisory #5

PORT ST. LUCIE – While Tropical Storm Nicole advances north, Port St. Lucie administrative facilities will reopen Monday, Nov. 14, during normal hours of operation, as City facilities remain closed Friday, Nov. 11th in observance of Veteran’s Day.

Closures & Openings:

The following facilities will reopen Friday Nov. 11 according to these hours:

· Community Fitness & Wellness Center (7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.)

· Recreation & Fitness at MIDFLORIDA Event Center (7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)

· Community Center (8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

· The Saints Golf Course (sunrise to sunset)

· All City parks will reopen (Neighborhood Parks 8 a.m. to sunset) (Community Parks 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a 9:30 p.m. sports lighting curfew ), excluding:

o Boardwalk from Tom Hooper Park to Veterans Park at Rivergate is cordoned off and closed to the public until water recedes to the level where staff can thoroughly assess.

o Boat ramps at C-24 Canal Park and Veterans Park at Rivergate are closed to the public until further notice until water recedes to the level where staff can thoroughly assess.

o Many City parks, ballfields may not be playable due to saturated conditions.

o Note: Ballfields at Whispering Pines Park will not re-open to the public until Saturday, Nov. 12, to allow fields time to dry.

Weekend events planned:

· Nov. 11, Veterans Day Service at the Community Center

· Nov. 12, Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens

· Nov. 12, San Juan Festival & Business Expo and the Macey’s Believers Gala at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center. Tickets are available at MIDFLORIDAeventcenter.com.

Flood/road closures: There are currently no road closures or flooding to report.

Public Works: All primary roadways, traffic signals, traffic signage, water control structures and drainage outfalls were assessed for damages associated with Tropical Storm Nicole. At this time, we are not aware of any roadways, traffic infrastructure or drainage infrastructure being compromised, and they are safe for the traveling public. Additionally, all stormwater systems are at normal control elevation or slightly higher with no obstructions, and we expect the areas slightly over control elevation to be back at control for the season within 48 hours.

Power outages: To report or check the status of an outage, call 800-4-OUTAGE (800-468-8243). Immediately report dangerous conditions such as a downed power line. Learn more by visiting Florida Power & Light’s website at www.fpl.com.

If a resident lost power and is using a portable generator, please follow all safety tips. Do not operate indoors. Do not refuel the generator while it is hot or still running. For more tips, visit https://bit.ly/3LSYkVC

Solid waste collections: To help expedite the collection process, residents are asked to please consider holding off on unnecessary trimming to allow FCC Environmental Services to dispose of the yard waste currently curbside. Residents are also asked to be patient as it might take multiple trips with various pieces of equipment to collect any extra vegetation left behind from the storm.

Due to the storm, all solid waste services were suspended today, Thursday, Nov. 10. For Thursday’s customers, FCC is scheduled to collect garbage, recycling and yard waste on Friday, Nov. 11. For Friday’s customers, FCC is scheduled to collect garbage, recycling and yard waste on Saturday, Nov. 12. Place carts at the curb no later than 7 a.m., but no earlier than 6 p.m. the evening prior to collection. To learn more, click on the severe weather tips and questions at www.CityofPSL.com/SolidWaste.

Vegetative debris drop-off: On Saturday, Nov. 12, the City’s Voluntary Drop-off Center will reopen. Residents are encouraged to dispose of yard and bulky waste, seven days a week, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (or dusk). The center is located at the the corner of Cameo Boulevard and Crosstown Parkway, behind the green, fenced-in area, just west of Florida’s Turnpike overpass.

Police Department: High winds can take down branches and powerlines, disabling traffic lights. If a driver encounters a traffic light that is not working properly, they are asked to use caution:

· Flashing red: Treat as a stop sign

· Flashing yellow: Proceed slowly through the intersection

· No signal: Treat as a four-way stop

Utility Systems customers: Utility Systems staff is currently inspecting all facilities and assessing any damage that may have been caused by the storm. Technicians are in the field and responding to calls for service, and Connection Support Specialists are available if you have any questions or issues regarding your water or sewer service by calling 772-873-6400.

Public Transit: All ART Transit services will be suspended Thursday, Nov. 10. Services will resume Friday, Nov. 11 (Veteran’s Day).

MIDFLORIDA Event Center: The MIDFLORIDA Event Center, 9221 SE Event Center Place, will reopen Saturday, Nov. 12.

Building Department: Building inspections will resume Monday, Nov. 14. To schedule an inspection, visit www.cityofpsl.com/building.

Emergency Management: Coordinating damage assessments and documenting projects that would be eligible for federally funded restoration assistance. This information will be shared with St. Lucie County and ultimately presented to the Federal Government for review.

Damages: If residents experience personal property damage from Hurricane Nicole, report it to St. Lucie County’s Emergency Management officials using thedamage assessment portal.

1PSL/Hotlines: Residents can contact the City through its 1PSL customer service system at 772-871-1775 or through the 1PSL app. St. Lucie County’s EOC hotline is 772-460-HELP. Please reserve 911 for emergency calls.

Stay informed: For up-to-the-minute updates, please check the City’s dedicated website

www.CityofPSL.com/Nicole. This site includes updates on closures, information about drainage and utilities, trash collection, City events and more. Residents are also encouraged to follow the City’s social media sites, including Facebook @CityofPSL, Twitter @CityPortStLucie and NextDoor page, as information changes quickly. Residents can also sign up to receive text messages or emails from the City.