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August 18, 2008
District initiates Level 1 Emergency Operations Center activation in preparation for Tropical Storm Fay
In preparation for Tropical Storm Fay possibly making landfall tomorrow, the Southwest Florida Water Management District has initiated Level 1 activation of its Emergency Operations Center in Brooksville and is closing all District offices and recreation areas on Tuesday.
Level 1 activation is required when a situation has developed into an emergency. Under Level 1 activation, the EOC becomes fully activated and is staffed 24 hours a day.
The EOC is activated and staffed during emergency conditions to monitor water levels throughout the District, operate District water control structures, track the storm, and provide hydrologic data to state and local government emergency operations departments. The District’s automated monitoring system feeds continuous data regarding water levels and rainfall.
The District monitors and operates 81 water control structures on lakes and rivers throughout the 16-county area. Due to the more than two years of drought conditions, water bodies in the District are expected to have sufficient storage to handle excess flood waters from a tropical storm or hurricane.
A decision will be made Tuesday afternoon whether to close District offices on Wednesday. The District’s Land Resources Department has also temporarily closed all District-managed recreation areas, including campgrounds and trails.
