Treasure Island Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Tropical Storm Helen
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Meeting Date:
09/25/2024
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Recording Published:
09/25/2024
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Duration:
31 Minutes
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State:
Florida
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County:
Pinellas County
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Towns:
Treasure Island
- Meeting Overview:
In a special meeting on September 25, 2024, the Treasure Island City Commission declared a state of local emergency in preparation for Tropical Storm Helen. The unanimous decision came as city officials and emergency management personnel provided updates and projections about the storm’s potential impact on the area.
The meeting began with an update from the fire chief, who shared detailed information about the storm’s projected path and potential ramifications. The storm’s best-case scenario would see it veering west with minimal impact, while the worst-case scenario could result in severe flooding due to a significant storm surge.
The chief emphasized that the storm is extensive, with a 250-mile-wide impact zone, and highlighted the importance of the city’s readiness to execute evacuations. He noted that the county would likely issue mandatory evacuations for Zone A, which includes all of Treasure Island. The chief also underscored the importance of public compliance with these orders, citing the rapid intensification and speed of the storm as key factors compressing the time available for effective evacuation and emergency response.
Commission members discussed the implications of the evacuation order, with some expressing concerns about the potential for “crying wolf” if the storm’s impact turned out to be less severe than predicted. Despite these concerns, the consensus was that public safety should take precedence, and residents were urged to evacuate as ordered.
The fire chief also addressed logistical challenges, such as the need to relocate emergency operations to a secure location off the island and the preparations for special needs evacuations, including those dependent on medical electricity and oxygen.
The meeting briefly touched on an unrelated issue when a commissioner inquired about the possibility of incorporating an emergency fill ordinance into the current state of emergency proclamation. However, this proposal was deemed infeasible due to the lack of a drafted ordinance and the need for public hearings and associated guidelines.
Tyler Payne
City Council Officials:
J. Tyler Payne, Deb Toth, John Doctor, Bob Minning, Beth Wetzel
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Meeting Date:
09/25/2024
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Recording Published:
09/25/2024
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Duration:
31 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Florida
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County:
Pinellas County
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Towns:
Treasure Island
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