On June 7, 2016, in News Releases, by Staff
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, following the landfall of Tropical Storm Colin last night, Governor Scott has remained in constant communication with state agency leaders who are working to ensure the state is responding to any impacts from the storm. All tropical storm warnings for Florida have been cancelled, but flood watches remain in effect for 24 counties. Governor Scott will visit and thank first responders and law enforcement officers in Jacksonville and Tampa today for their preparation to keep Florida families safe.
Florida Division of Emergency Management
The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee remains at a Level 2 following the 11:00 a.m., June 5 activation. Level 2 activates mission-specific emergency support and planning functions.
DEM continues to work in conjunction with the State Emergency Response Team through the response phrase of operations and is now making preparations into the recovery phrase.
Florida National Guard
The Florida National Guard remains on alert and has more than 6,000 Guardsmen ready for deployment to Florida’s communities.
Florida Department of Education
All school districts and Florida College System institutions have returned to normal operations.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
FDLE continues to work with state and local partners assessing issues related to potential flooding. Tampa remains the focal point of attention today as rain and flooding continues to impact Florida.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
The Department of Environmental Protection and Water Management Districts continue to monitor the impacts of the storm and remain prepared to offer assistance upon request.
The Florida Park Service has re-opened most parks for day use and/or camping; however, some remain closed to ensure visitor safety.
The department has designated staging areas to manage debris clean up after the storm.
Florida Department of Health
The department is working with county health departments and community partners to urge residents to drain standing water that accumulated due to the large amount of rain associated with Tropical Storm Colin. Eliminating standing water is crucial to preventing mosquito breeding sites.
All county health department offices are open today.
Florida Department of Transportation
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) continues to urge all motorists to use caution when driving during hazardous weather conditions.
Florida’s FL511.com Traveler Information System is one of the most effective ways drivers can keep informed about the state’s roadways during and following any severe weather.
The Transportation Emergency Operations Center remains partially activated to ensure coordination and support of FDOT assets.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
FWC has increased capacity for water rescues by dispatching additional boats in response to flooding.
FWC is working with various community organizations and agencies to identify any impacts to wildlife in areas affected by Tropical Storm Colin. FWC biologists will respond as needed to protect Florida’s wildlife.
Office of Early Learning
All early learning coalitions have re-opened this morning. The Office of Early Learning will continue to monitor for any closures.
The Early Learning Coalition of Duval County reported that one center in their service area had a tree fall on the roof. There were no injuries, the damage was minimal and they will re-open tomorrow.
Florida Department of Corrections
The Department will continue to closely monitor the impacts of Tropical Storm Colin and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety of inmates and security of the institutions.
Department of Elder Affairs
The Department of Elder Affairs is coordinating with Area Agencies on Aging across the state to ensure that services continue to meet the needs of elders and adults with disabilities across the state without disruption.
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
The Florida Highway Patrol’s 250-person response team continues to stand ready to deploy as needed to assist with road closures, directing traffic in the event of power outages and to respond to any call for service as needed by local law enforcement agencies.
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has designated specific mutual-aid communication channels on the State Law Enforcement Radio System, including a channel specifically designated for contraflow on the interstate if needed.
FHP reports all lanes of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge / I-275 mile marker 8 in St. Petersburg remain closed at this time. The Howard Frankland Bridge remains open.
DHSMV and Tax Collector offices are open at this time. Some offices in impacted counties may not be conducting road tests so customers are advised to call their local DHSMV or Tax Collector offices ahead of time. The department remains in close contact with its Tax Collector partners and will continue to monitor the impact of the storm.
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
All state veterans’ nursing homes and domiciliaries are on normal operations.
All FDVA employees continue to be prepared to respond to any additional needs of our veterans.
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
DBPR’s Division of Regulation field staff will be assisting DEM in preliminary damage assessments and the agency continues to watch for potential unlicensed activity.
This outreach will consist of licensure checks for contractors engaging in services requiring a license and outreach efforts to educate homeowners and business owners of the steps to take to avoid becoming victim to an unlicensed activity scam.
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
For regular updates, businesses can register with the Florida Virtual Business Emergency Operations Center at http://flvbeoc.org.
If businesses in a particular area are damaged by the storm, DEO will begin surveying the affected areas and stands ready to launch the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.
Agency for Persons with Disabilities
APD has updated its website to have vital links on its home page included links to the Division of Emergency Management so people have access to the latest information on the storm.
Both APD Developmental Disabilities Centers, in Marianna and Gainesville, are back to normal operations.
Volunteer Florida
Volunteer Florida has begun outreach to more than 20 volunteer organizations active in disasters to coordinate volunteer efforts following the storm, such as debris removal.
Volunteer Florida is prepared to work with local partners to deploy volunteer teams to assist with response and recovery activities caused by Tropical Storm Colin, such as feeding, sheltering, debris removal and repair assistance.
Volunteer Florida encourages Floridians to support local disaster organizations or to call 1-800-FL-Help-1 to receive information on how to donate to the Volunteer Florida Disaster Fund.
