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Pasco's Fay Expenses Estimated At $60,000

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: August 27, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Even though Tropical Storm Fay veered away from Pasco County – twice – last week, the storm still cost the county about $60,000 in expenses, county commissioners learned today.

No property damage has been reported to the county, James Martin, Pasco's director of emergency management, told commissioners at their meeting this morning.

Pasco, however, had to prepare for Fay when the storm seemed to be heading this way on Monday, Aug. 18, Martin reported.

Pasco might qualify for about $60,000 in federal reimbursement for salary costs and expenses such as gasoline the county incurred during its Fay watch.

Authorities from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are scheduled to visit Pasco tomorrow, Thursday, to review the county's Fay-related claims, Martin said.

Fay's winds were blowing up to 50 mph late Monday, Aug. 18, which prompted officials to close schools and county offices on Tuesday, Aug. 19, Martin summarized.

Five hurricane shelters had been scheduled to open on Aug. 19 as well. County officials recommended a voluntary evacuation for residents in the county's most flood-prone areas.

Pasco's Emergency Operations Center went into full-activation mode by 5 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, Martin recalled.

By that time, though, Fay was turning east as it meandered diagonally across Central Florida after making landfall first in Key West then near Naples. As a result Pasco canceled its voluntary evacuation and decided against opening any shelters.

Over the weekend, Fay reversed course and headed west across the Panhandle, giving Pasco a glancing blow with heavy rains.

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