LIVE OAK, FLA., Aug. 30, 2019 – The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) has issued Emergency Order No. 2019-02 on August 30, 2019 in preparation for Hurricane Dorian. The Emergency Order includes all 15 counties within the District.
On August 28, following Governor Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order No. 19-189, the District issued Emergency Order No. 2019-01 for Baker, Bradford, Putnam and Union counties.
Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order No. 19-190 on August 29, expanding the state of emergency to all 67 counties in Florida. In response, Emergency Order No. 2019-02 has been issued by the District which outlines response measures and eases regulatory guidelines to allow for the aid of emergency assistance to private citizens and local governmental entities.
Response measures include the use of pumps to move water across drainage basins, cleanup of drainage systems, repair of structures to prevent flooding and the creation of drainage systems to provide flood relief.
The emergency order covers all the counties within the District: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Putnam, Suwannee, Taylor and Union.
Hurricane Dorian is expected to bring heavy rains to many of the counties within north Florida. The District encourages residents and business owners to be prepared for potential flooding.
The District is actively monitoring the rainfall, river and groundwater levels in partnership with the National Weather Service and local communities to provide accurate and timely information on weather conditions.
For more information or to view the emergency order, visit www.MySuwanneeRiver.com/EmergencyOrder2019-02.