Martin County - Friday June 3, 2022: Martin County is currently under a Tropical Storm Warning and a Flood Watch, with rainfall and flash flooding being the greatest threats to our area.
The National Weather Service anticipates areas in South Florida could receive 6-10 inches of rain and potential tropical storm-force winds. Conditions are expected to deteriorate Friday night into Saturday morning.
County staff is closely monitoring the weather and potential impacts while preparing county sites clearing storm drains and major drainage sites and proactively placing pumps in areas prone to flooding. Crews will be working Saturday in zones throughout the county inspecting reports of impacted areas and addressing them.
Martin County Emergency Management, county leadership, municipal and public safety partners continue to participate in calls with the State Emergency Management Team and the National Weather Service in Melbourne as we monitor the path and potential impacts from Potential Tropical Cyclone One.
Protective Actions
• Alleviate any potential flooding in your neighborhood by sweeping storm drains clear of debris.
• If you approach standing water, turn around. Standing water can also hide potential hazards such as energized power lines and human and livestock waste and other contaminants that can lead to illness, debris, wild or stray animals.
• Take protective actions against heavy rains and secure lightweight items from heavy winds.
• For flood safety information or to report flooding, visit www.martin.fl.us/MCFlood.
• Call 772-692-5284 Monday-Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to report flooding. You may also leave a message about flooding after hours at this number.
• If traffic lights are not working, treat the stop as a four-way stop.
• If you need emergency services, call 9-1-1.
Beaches
High surf conditions are expected to continue through Saturday. Weather and ocean conditions may result in a high risk for rip currents along with dangerous rough surf at area beaches. Entering the surf is not advised as beaches will be unguarded during stormy conditions.
Schools
The Martin County School District has announced that the SAT tests scheduled for Saturday, June 4 at Martin County High School and South Fork High School have been rescheduled due to forecasts predicting inclement weather. Stay connected with MCSD for additional details.
Emergency Alerts
AlertMartin is a free service provided by Martin County that allows Emergency Management, Fire Rescue, Utilities, Martin County Sheriff's Office and municipal partners to send important public safety messages, evacuation notices and other timely warnings by phone, text, and/or email. To sign up, simply text ALERTMARTIN to 888777.
DOH Martin County recommends the following to prevent illness or injury from flood waters:
- Basic hygiene is critical. Wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected before preparing or eating food, after toilet use, after participating in flood cleanup activities, and after handling articles contaminated with flood water or sewage.
- Avoid eating or drinking anything that has been contaminated with flood waters.
- Flood waters may be contaminated with fecal matter, so do not wade through or allow children to play in standing water.
- Be alert to and avoid contact with wildlife, such as snakes, that may have been displaced by the storm.
- Avoid contact with flood waters if you have open cuts or sores. If you have any open cuts or sores and cannot avoid contact with flood waters, keep them as clean as possible by washing well with soap to control infection. If a wound develops redness, swelling, or drainage, seek immediate medical attention.
- If there is a backflow of sewage into your house, wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves during cleanup. Remove and discard absorbent household materials, such as wallcoverings, cloth, rugs, and sheetrock. Clean walls and hard-surfaced floors with soap and water and disinfect with a solution of ¼ cup of bleach to one gallon of water. Thoroughly disinfect food contact surfaces (counter tops, refrigerators, tables) and areas where small children play. Wash all linens and clothing in hot water. Discard items such as mattresses that cannot be cleaned.
If on a septic system and your plumbing is functioning slowly:
- Conserve water as much as possible; the less water used the less sewage the septic tank must process. Minimize use of your washing machine.
- Do not have the septic tank pumped. Exceptionally high-water tables might crush a septic tank that was pumped dry. If the fundamental problem is high ground water, pumping the tank does nothing to solve that problem.
- To report a drainage issue on Martin County maintained properties, visit: Martin County Flooding Updates and click on the Report A Drainage Issue link.
- For drainage issues on City of Stuart roadways, 772-288-1292.
If your well is flooded:
- Heavy rainfall may have made your well water unsafe to drink. If you are unsure about the impact of flooding on your well water, use bottled water or boil water for drinking, making ice, teeth brushing and washing any areas of the skin that have be cut or injured.
- For tips on how to disinfect a well that has been flooded: CDC Well Disinfection
- For additional questions, contact DOH-Martin, Environmental Health: 772-221-4090
Residents are encouraged to visit www.martin.fl.us, Martin County’s online resource for services, news and information, and connect with us on social media. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.