HURRICANE MATTHEW UPDATE: Melbourne City Manager Declares State Emergency

By  //  October 5, 2016

EXECUTIVE ORDER OF THE CITY MANAGER DECLARING A STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY IN RESPONSE TO CITY WIDE THREAT FROM HURRICANE
EXECUTIVE ORDER OF THE CITY MANAGER DECLARING A STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY IN RESPONSE TO CITY WIDE THREAT FROM HURRICANE

EXECUTIVE ORDER OF THE CITY MANAGER DECLARING A STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY IN RESPONSE TO CITY WIDE THREAT FROM HURRICANE

The following Executive Order was adopted by the City Manager of the City of Melbourne, Florida on the 5th day of October, 2016.

WHEREAS, the State of Florida and the City of Melbourne are experiencing an imminent threat of personal injury and damage due to the approach of Hurricane Matthew towards Florida and the City of Melbourne area; and

WHEREAS, Hurricane Matthew is currently classified as a category 3 hurricane, expected to strengthen during the next two days and therefore poses a potentially serious and imminent threat to the City of Melbourne area, based upon the potential to create excessive rainfall, high tides and gale force or greater winds, which may pose a serious threat to public health and safety, and cause serious flooding, beach erosion, and property damage within City of Melbourne; and

WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Florida has issued Executive Order Number 16-230, declaring that a State of Emergency exists throughout the State of Florida, including the City of Melbourne area as a result of the imminent threat of injury and damage from Hurricane Matthew; and

WHEREAS, City of Melbourne must take timely emergency measures because of the heightened potential for injury or damage to life and property within the county, and the length of time required to evacuate residents from the hazards of a tropical storm; and

WHEREAS, certain additional specialized equipment and personnel may be required to assist in evacuation and to take protective action with regard to life and property; and

WHEREAS, other measures may have to be taken in order to mitigate the potential for causing further threatening conditions as well as extensive damage to public utilities, public buildings, public communications systems, public streets and roads, public drainage systems, commercial and residential buildings and areas; and

WHEREAS, Chapter 252, Florida Statutes and Chapter 18 of Melbourne City Code authorizes a political subdivision such as City of Melbourne to declare a state of local emergency; and

WHEREAS, Section 18-23 of Melbourne City Code specifically authorizes the City Manager the power to declare that a state of emergency exists; and

WHEREAS, a state of emergency declared under the authority of Chapter 252, Florida Statutes and Section 18-23 of Melbourne City Code shall have a duration of no more than seven days, renewable for further periods of no more than seven days.

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NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED BY THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF MELBOURNE, FLORIDA:

SECTION 1: That said imminent approach of Hurricane Matthew, along with anticipated heavy rainfall, high tides, gale-force or greater winds, and flooding, poses a serious threat to the health, safety, and welfare the people and property of City of Melbourne, Florida, and that a state of local emergency is hereby, declared, effective immediately for the areas of City of Melbourne.

Michael A. McNees, Melbourne City Manager
Michael A. McNees, Melbourne City Manager

SECTION 2: That all portable signs, flags and banners must be removed immediately and may not be displayed during the effectiveness of this state of local emergency.

SECTION 3: That this Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon adoption, and shall remain in effect for seven days unless extended or rescinded in accordance with Section 18-23(e) of Melbourne City Code.

BY: Michael A. McNees, Melbourne City Manager