District Monitors Hurricane Dorian

News Release

Emergency Operations Center at Level 2 activation

Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) officials are monitoring Hurricane Dorian and have raised the activation level of the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to Level 2. The EOC provides direction regarding District activities before, during, and after an emergency weather event.

The District is continuing to monitor potential impacts from the storm that could occur throughout its 16-county region. Because of increased summer rainfall, many lakes and waterways are at elevated levels. District staff are operating structures based on current and anticipated water levels.

In addition, the District activated the Tampa Bypass Canal system earlier this month in response to heavy rains in the Tampa Bay area. This involves stopping all or part of the flow of the Hillsborough River before it reaches the City of Temple Terrace and City of Tampa and impounding it in the Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area, which assists with flooding from the river in the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa.

Level 2 activation is utilized when a specific weather situation has reached a point where the District may be adversely affected. Level 2 is a partial activation, and the EOC will:

  • Mobilize appropriate District emergency personnel to report to the EOC for
    8–12 hour shifts. The rest of the District remains at normal operating conditions.
  • Monitor water levels and operate water control structures on water bodies throughout the District’s 16–county area as needed.
  • Maintain direct communications with the state and affected county EOCs.
  • Ensure current event information is distributed to all District staff.

The EOC also directs District field crews, responds to requests from the state EOC, and provides water resource updates to state and local emergency management agencies, the media and the general public. The District EOC will expand to include additional emergency personnel as the situation demands. For the most updated information, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subject
EOC