Emergency Event FAQs

EMERGENCY EVENT – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

 

GENERAL TOPICS:

  • City of Plant City emergency information will be continuously updated during an emergency event at the Emergency Information link (the red emergency banner at the top of the page) on the City’s web site: www.plantcitygov.com Information will also be posted on the City’s social media platforms.
  • NOTE THAT MOST OF THE CITY’S NON-EMERGENCY OFFICES MAY BE CLOSED DUE TO THE EMERGENCY. Continue checking the Emergency Information page for updates regarding restoration of services and office hours.
  • Issues for City response may be reported through the City’s web site www.plantcitygov.com at the REQUEST FOR SERVICES link: https://plantcityfl.qscend.com/311/ After entering the address of the issue, select the emergency event name (example: Hurricane Zebra) and follow the prompts.
  • Issues for City response may be telephoned to the Community Engagement Center (CEC) at 813-659-4200 during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

 

EVACUATION AND SHELTER INFORMATION AND COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS OF CITY OF PLANT CITY:

 

TAMPA ELECTRIC (TECO) ISSUES:

 

FRONTIER COMMUNICATION ISSUES:

 

SPECTRUM COMMUNICATION ISSUES:

 

ROADWAY/SIDEWALK ISSUES:

  • Broken trees over a roadway or sidewalk, fallen trees blocking a roadway or sidewalk:
    • The City will begin a cut-and-push effort to clear all City roadways once it is safe to do so. Roadways are prioritized with the major arterial roads cleared first, followed by the large collector roads and then the residential streets. Once all roadways are cleared, collection of the debris will begin.
    • Hillsborough County and Florida Department of Transportation will clear their respective roadways as quickly as possible.
  • Stormwater-related damage affecting roadways and sidewalks:
    • The City will address damage along City roadways and sidewalks according to user safety. All roadway and sidewalk issues affecting driver or pedestrian safety should be reported at the REQUEST FOR SERVICES link or by calling the CEC.

 

ANIMALS:

 

MOSQUITOS:

 

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC FAQs

 

BUILDING DEPARTMENT:

  • Report storm damage to a structure:
    • The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) requires all notable damages be reported for possible federal assistance to our area.
    • Substantial damage should be reported at the REQUEST FOR SERVICES link or by calling the CEC.
  • Building Department hours after the emergency:
    • The Building Department is responsible for damage assessments required by FEMA and FDEM. We will resume regular hours once the damage assessment activities are completed. Watch the Emergency Information page for updates.
  • Building Department inspections:
    • Scheduled inspections affected by the emergency event will be addressed accordingly when we resume regular Building Department operations.
  • Online portal – Maintstar:
    • The online portal will not have inspections available to schedule during the emergency event, all other functions will work as usual.
  • Contact availability during recovery operations:
    • During emergency response activities, report any concerns at the REQUEST FOR SERVICES link or call during office hours at 813-659-4254.

 

TRAFFIC:

  • Traffic signals not working or malfunctioning:
    • Treat all intersections with non-working/malfunctioning traffic lights or missing/damaged traffic signs as four-way stops.
    • Report any traffic signal issues, missing/damaged traffic signs, and missing/damaged street name signs at the REQUEST FOR SERVICES link or call during office hours at 813-757-7200.

 

PARKS & RECREATION:

  • Parks & Recreation facilities – availability and resuming programming:
    • Normal operations depend on the severity of the emergency and the availability of staff that have been reassigned to emergency recovery operations.
    • Email recinfo@plantcitygov.com or call 813-659-4255

 

STREETS & STORMWATER:

  • Sandbag information:
    • BEFORE THE EVENT:
      • Watch the City Emergency Information page and City social media platforms for details on when sandbags will be available.
      • Proof of City residency required - must show identification verifying residence within the city limits, such as a utility bill, electric bill, or valid driver’s license.
      • Sandbags are free, prefilled, and there is a ten-bag limit.
      • County residents must contact Hillsborough County for sandbag info. Call (813) 635-5400 or check the Hillsborough County Emergency Services web site:https://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/residents/public-safety/emergency- management
      • Sandbag operations will cease prior to critical weather conditions for our employees to safely shelter at home.
    • AFTER THE EVENT:
      • Until the storm season is over, store the bags off the ground in a dry, shaded location to slow deterioration of the bags.
      • When the storm season is over, spread the sand in your yard or return them to Streets & Stormwater, 4702 Sydney Road. Do not place the sand or full sandbags in your solid waste container.
  • Street and drainage concerns:
    • BEFORE THE EVENT:
      • Keep your yard clear of debris and items that can float which will clog the stormwater drains.
      • Report issues using the REQUEST FOR SERVICES link or contact Streets & Stormwater at 813-659-4225.
    • AFTER THE EVENT:
      • Do not drive through standing water – unseen potholes or washouts may not be seen and your vehicle can be swept off the roadway by flood water.
      • Avoid standing water – it can contain harmful bacteria, chemicals, and fecal matter.
      • If severe flooding occurs, seek higher ground immediately.
      • Assume all downed power lines are live and stay away.
      • Treat non-working or malfunctioning traffic signals as four-way stops.
      • Obey all detours and barricades.
      • Stay alert for workers in the right-of-way.
      • Contact the Streets & Stormwater Department with all concerns through the REQUEST FOR SERVICES link or call 813-659-4225.

 

UTILITIES and UTILITY BILLING:

  • Online or telephone payments:
    • May or may not be working due to network issues affected by the event. These payment methods will be available once the network is up.
  • Water flowing from a water line, backflow, or meter:
    • Contact Utility Operations with all concerns through the REQUEST FOR SERVICES link or call the after-hours number: 813-757-9191
  • Is there a boil water notice?
    • A Precautionary Boil Water Notice or Mandatory Boil Water Notice would only occur if there is a major disruption of service (loss of pressure in the water distribution system, loss of disinfection, water quality concerns caused by other events such as water line breaks, power outages and floods). We have back-up generator power on our water distribution and collection systems to keep them in service during power outages. Falling trees can cause water line breaks with their roots. Should we have a major disruption of service, specific areas may be placed under a boil water notice. If issued, the notice will give details.

 

SOLID WASTE:

  • Pre-storm tree trimming:
    • All tree trimming should be completed at least ten (10) days prior to a storm event. This gives us time to pick up the trimmings before the storm hits.
    • Commercial vendor tree trimmers are required to collect and properly dispose of trimming debris they have created.
  • Storm-related vegetative debris:
    • Depending on the amount of fallen vegetative debris city-wide, the City may use our contracts with several debris removal services to collect the debris. This process will start when the roadways are safe to travel. It may take several weeks to collect the vegetative debris citywide. Watch the Emergency Information page for the latest info.
    • Only the larger vegetative debris (limbs and shrub debris) should be placed loose on the curb. Small debris (sticks and leaves) should be bagged and placed separate from the larger debris.
  • Resumption of residential solid waste pick-up:
    • Collections will resume as soon as roadways are cleared and it is safe to do so. Watch the Emergency Information page or follow the City’s social media accounts for the latest info.
    • Special request pick-ups for fences, appliances, furniture, etc. will take longer than normal due to the volume of debris being collected.  Contact the Solid Waste Department with all concerns through the REQUEST FOR SERVICES link or call 813-659-4222.
  • Where can I take my own cut-up tree limbs or other debris?
  • What to do with solid waste:
    • All debris should be placed curbside, off the street and off the sidewalk, separated by type, at least three feet away from vehicles, driving lanes, hydrants, mailboxes, water meters, utility poles, or other types of debris:
    • Only household solid waste should be placed in the roll cart and placed curbside.
    • Only collectible recyclable materials should be placed in the bin for collection.
    • Vegetative debris from your yard must be placed curbside, cut in lengths no longer than five feet and not be mixed with any other type of debris.
    • Construction or demolition debris (fences, wood framing, etc.) should be placed separate from vegetative waste and other types of debris.
    • Bulk items such as furniture or appliances should be placed separate from other types of debris. Work orders will be entered for pick-up. Note there will be delays due to the volume of debris being collected.

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Debris Removal Guidelines

Supporting Documents

PDF icon Emergency Event Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) PDF (387 KB)
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