Hurricane Irma: Recovery Efforts Underway
Update as of 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 12
While recovery efforts are well underway in the City, many street lights and traffic signals remain out and many remain without power creating potential hazards for motorists and others. Police are asking the public to avoid unnecessary travel. Unnecessary travel on City roadways makes it difficult for crews working to restore power and clean up storm debris and increases the risk for accidents. Less traffic also helps expedite recovery efforts.
The clean up of storm debris has begun by Public Works and access to the barrier island was reopened at noon on Monday, September 11th. City emergency response crews are fully staffed to continue with recovery efforts. The initial assessment of the City indicated downed trees and power lines throughout Hollywood along with street flooding in eastern neighborhoods. Structural damage and flood damage appears to be isolated. The City has mobilized its debris contractors. Efforts are focused on clearing primary corridors, then secondary roadways, neighborhood streets and alleyways. The removal of downed trees located in the swale that have fallen onto private property will be addressed after roadways are cleared, which could take several weeks. Property owners seeking to have downed swale trees cleared sooner should work with their insurance company and contact a licensed tree removal company. The City's debris contractors will not remove trees on private property or swale trees that have damaged private property including homes and cars.
Modified garbage service in the City of Hollywood has resumed, per the normal collection schedule. This does not include Recycling and Commingled collections. All garbage customers are asked to bring their gray garbage carts to the front of their property until further notice for curbside collection. All storm related debris should also be placed curbside at the front of your property. To speed recovery efforts, the City is asking residents to separate downed tree limbs, palm fronds and other brush from bulky items damaged in the storm. These materials will be picked up by the City's debris contractors as they make their way across the City over the next several days/weeks. Please do not place debris or garbage carts in the service alleys. Garbage and all storm debris will be picked up at the curb. Alleys should be kept clear for FPL crews working to restore power.
All vehicles parked for the storm in City garages in Downtown Hollywood and on Hollywood Beach need to be claimed by their owners and removed from the garages. There are several vehicles that are double-parked and are blocking other vehicles. These vehicles will be towed if they are not removed by noon on Tuesday, September 12th.
The City remains under a Boil Water Advisory. Residents should not use drink their tap water without boiling it first. Bring all water to a rolling boil for one minute. Only boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, hand-washing dishes, and food preparation. Utility crews have completed repair work on three large water main breaks. The water is now being sampled and tested. Once the tests, which take 24 hours, come back as clear, the boil water alert will be lifted.
The City's Hurricane Call Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 12. This call center can be reached by calling: 954.967.4EOC (4362). Broward County is also operating its Hurricane Hotline which is 311 or 954.831.4000.he City’s Emergency Operations Center wipartial activation as of 7:00 p.m. tonight
Please continue checking for recovery updates through the City’s website www.hollywoodfl.org, Facebook page, City of Hollywood, Florida Government, and twitter feed @COHGOV.
