Palm Bay Chamber Intel, September 7, 2017

CHAMBER INTEL

September 7, 2017

Message from the President

Well another hurricane is bearing down upon us here on the Space Coast. This one looks like a monster. I hope everyone has a plan and access to resources. The Chamber has been posting information that we receive from emergency agencies on our Facebook page and will continue to do so throughout today. (we have up-to-the minute updates on Shelters and Evacuations, so please check Facebook)

The Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce office will be closed beginning today at 5:00 p.m. and will remain closed through Monday. We will reopen when it is safe to do so - tentatively Tuesday morning.

This is currently a massive category 5 hurricane and not to be taken lightly. We hope it veers off to the east like Matthew did, but hurricanes wobble. Please take the necessary precautions for yourself, your families and your business. We wish everyone a safe weekend.

All the best,

Nancy Peltonen

President/CEO

Upcoming Chamber Events

September 11th - Power Partners Leads Group @ 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - CANCELLED-
September 14th - "First Steps for Businesses on Social Media" Workshop with Eric Parent from Next Level Digital Marketing @ 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. - Register here!

Don Walker

Communications Director

(321) 690-6843

don.walker@brevardfl.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Local State of Emergency Declared; County Government Offices Closed Friday

BREVARD COUNTY, FL. -- A local State of Emergency was declared for Brevard County on Wednesday in response to the pending threat of Hurricane Irma, and as the storm edges toward Florida, the decision was also made to close County government offices and cease non-essential operations on Friday.

A decision on a return to normal operations will be made as soon as an accurate assessment can be properly made, and will be communicated through local media outlets and Brevard County Government department leadership.

A local state of emergency is declared in advance of a potential disaster event and enables government entities to readily seek response or recovery assistance from the state.

It was also announced today that Brevard Public Schools will be closed Thursday and Friday. They will remain closed pending further notice.

Eastern Florida State College will be closed Thursday though Sunday, and Florida Tech campus will be closed Friday through Monday.

Courts in Brevard County will be closed Friday and plans are to reopen on Tuesday.

State Offices, including the Department of Health, will also be closed on Friday .

Residents Reminded to Check Storm Drains & Turn Off Sprinklers

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. -- During hurricane season, residents are encouraged to turn off sprinklers and become familiar with the drainage system at their home and in their neighborhood.

At your home, check that your rain gutters are not clogged and that the drainpipes lead away from your home. Can you answer these questions: where are the stormwater drains located, where could there be problems, who is responsible for maintenance, and how do you contact them? To prevent flooding, residents should make sure storm drains are free of debris so water can drain freely and don’t add to the problem by running sprinklers.

Blockages should be reported to the appropriate authority: their homeowners’ association, their city’s Public Works Department or the Brevard County Public Works Department. County contacts are:

North area -- from the Volusia County line south to the southern boundary of Port St. John, on the mainland: call 321-264-5084
Central area -- All of Merritt Island and south to the Pineda Causeway on the beaches, and from the Southern boundary of Port St. John to Viera Boulevard on the mainland: call 321-455-1389
South Area -- from Viera Boulevard to the Indian River County line on the mainland, and from Pineda Causeway south to the Sebastian Inlet on the beaches: call 321-255-4310

Stormwater management systems are typically designed for 25-year storm events. More extreme rainfall can overwhelm the drainage system and take days to drain. If you experience flooding on your property and have access to the internet you can report flooding at https://tinyurl.com/BCFlood . There is also a link available on the Natural Resources-Watershed Management Program home page: http://www.brevardfl.gov/NaturalResources/WatershedProgram

Many homeowners have automatic timers on their sprinkler systems. Brevard County residents can help to reduce flooding by installing a rain sensor for their irrigation system or by turning off sprinklers for significant rainfall events. This will avoid adding more water to flood-prone areas. Homeowners associations who receive re-use water and have valves internal to their systems are also requested to cease use until irrigation is needed.

Everyone can help reduce the risk of flood damage by ensuring that drainage systems work properly.

Dear Industry Partner,

Please see the message below from Governor Scott:

As Hurricane Irma approaches, I am urging every Floridian to get a plan and be prepared for potential life threatening impacts from the storm. In anticipation of increased staffing needs at hurricane shelters statewide, I have issued a call to state employees across Florida encouraging them to volunteer in support of the state's emergency shelter mobilization efforts. Volunteer recruitment is one of our biggest needs right now.

Today, I am urging all Floridians to consider donating their time and effort to become a certified American Red Cross Disaster Services volunteer to help Floridians in need. Thousands of volunteers are needed to assist their efforts in response to this unprecedented storm. In partnership with the American Red Cross and other volunteer organizations, Floridians may sign up to assist in or operate shelters in response to Hurricane Irma impacts and preparation. I encourage any Floridian who is able to donate their time and effort to register today for American Red Cross certification at https://www.volunteerflorida.org/ .

For additional information regarding Hurricane Irma, please visit www.floridadisaster.org . If you have any questions regarding volunteer opportunities please email irma@volunteerflorida.org.