As Hurricane Helene churns towards Fort Pierce, local residents and businesses are hustling to shore up defenses against the impending storm. Piles of sand have been placed at key locations around the city for residents to fill sandbags, aiming to mitigate flood damage to their homes. These spots include Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dreamland Park, Pioneer Park, Little Jim Bait & Tackle, and Jaycee Park, as reported by WPTV. Fort Pierce officials are also proactively clearing storm-water systems to ensure they function optimally in the deluge to come.
Businesses near the waterfront are taking precautionary measures as well. Mike Laneve, manager of Little Jim Bait and Tackle, detailed their strategy, "doing simple things like pulling in the things that might fly away, pulling in the umbrellas, taking our flag down." He mentioned the possibility of sandbagging but is holding off based on current storm surge reports. Anticipating the storm's trajectory, decisions on whether to open the following day are being made as events unfold, as told to WPTV.
Meanwhile, the boating community in Fort Pierce is facing their own set of challenges. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has advised boat owners to remove their vessels from the water and secure them inland. For boats remaining at marinas, additional mooring lines are recommended to brace for tidal surges. The Commission strongly cautions against staying on board during the storm, emphasizing the danger to individuals and the potential risk to first responders.
Tony Haley, a Fort Pierce local boater, spoke on the practical steps being taken: "Tie it down, bumpers, make sure everything is secure. Everything off your deck. Make sure there’s nothing swinging." He also advised removing Bimini tops and securing loose items to prevent them becoming projectiles. Haley's comments were part of a WPBF interview on the precautions local boaters are taking as they prepare for Hurricane Helene.
