County sandbag distribution to begin Monday; Palatka residents asked to curb yard waste

Key highlights Sunday:

Putnam County officials, briefed on the latest track for Tropical Storm Ian, enacted a state of emergency on Sunday and discussed plans for the coming week.

The Putnam County Board of County Commissioners, during a special emergency meeting called Saturday morning due to the National Weather Service's forecasted path of Ian, voted unanimously to enact the state of emergency — an action that, very basically, allows the county to activate emergency response measures under the threat of a potential minor, major or catastrophic disaster. The governor's office had earlier issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency for all 67 Florida counties.

During the meeting at the Putnam County Government Complex Sunday, Public Safety Director J.R. Grimes briefed the commission on the morning's update for the storm.

"They're predicting now possibly a Category 4," said Grimes of the National Weather Service forecast. "Which, the further westerly track it (takes), for us, puts us in the upper right hand corner of the storm, which is the heaviest amount of rain and wind and we're still inside the cone of uncertainty at this point."

Grimes conveyed to commissioners that the weather service currently predicts between seven and nine inches of rain, if Sunday morning's hurricane model holds steady. Grimes said the county is working toward opening a shelter and the department expects to begin sandbag distribution at 3 p.m. Monday.

Putnam County Sandbag locations

Are residents should bring their own shovels, emergency personnel stated. The locations are also expected to be open beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

As of the National Weather Service 5 p.m. update, Tropical Storm Ian was about 200 miles southwest of Jamaica and was expected to produce heavy rainfall, flash flooding and possible mudslides in areas of higher terrain, particularly over Jamaica and Cuba.

"Life threatening storm surge and hurricane force winds are expected in portions of western Cuba beginning late Monday," the weather advisory states.

In Florida, the weather service states that flash and urban flooding will be possible across the Florida Keys and Florida peninsula through mid-week.

The NWS also warned of potential impacts to North Florida rivers.

"Additional flooding on rivers across northern Florida and parts of the southeast U.S. cannot be ruled out later this week," the NWS advisory states. "Ian is expected to be a major hurricane in the eastern Gulf of Mexico during the middle of the week. But uncertainty in the long term track and intensity forecasts is higher than usual."

Potential impacts to Putnam

Grimes told commissioners that the earliest potential for tropical storm force winds in Putnam County is expected to be sometime around Tuesday afternoon, but said the more likely arrival would be around Wednesday afternoon. Provided the storm route doesn't change much, slow down or speed up, Grimes expects the storm to be past the county on Friday.

"We're still continuing to monitor it and see what's going to come out in the updates ahead," Grimes said. "I think tomorrow is going to be really critical — and first thing Tuesday morning."

Commissioner Larry Harvey focused in on the rainfall expectations for the areas of West Putnam that have experienced flooding and impassable roads during rain events.

"Recently we've had just some — I hate to say minor rainstorms — but you know, a couple inches out in West End and it's really almost like a bomb went off on some of the roads."

"You know that roads are blown out just for two inches," said Harvey. "If we get seven and nine inches, we're gonna have major, major issues out there."

Harvey asked Grimes if the public safety department could make sure alerts would be made to the public about hazards and other concerns.

Grimes assured Harvey and other commissioners that the cities and county emergency public information officers and spokespeople would work together to provide consistent messaging.

Grimes said throughout the threat of the storm on the Putnam area, the Emergency Operations Center will be part of several daily briefings by phone with state officials and the National Weather Service: Each day at 8 a.m., with the National Weather Service; a call with the state watch office and National Hurricane Center will be held at 11:15 a.m.; At 1:20 p.m., a call will take place with the National Weather Service out of Jacksonville; At 5:15, a second call with the state Hurricane Center is set to occur.

Grimes said the county's sandbag operation is expected to begin Monday at 3 p.m.

The specifics of distribution were unclear as of 5 p.m. Sunday.

The public safety director said that all generators for the county were checked on Friday, as well as those at nursing facilities in the area, and staff would be checking operations at lift stations on Monday.

Commissioners were assured by Harvey that the levels at the Rodman Reservoir would be monitored throughout the storm.

Sunshine concerns: Commission attendance at Ops Center

County staff also informed commissioners that they were working on a plan with County Attorney Rich Kommando for commissioners to be briefed about the calls and updates "without threatening to violate the Sunshine."

"We're working with Mr. Kommando on potential solutions that would allow you all to get some of that information without having an issue," said Deputy County Administrator Julianne Holmes Young.

In response to a question from Commissioner Paul Adamczyk regarding the Sunshine Law concerns, Homes Young said that staff is looking at the possibility of creating a separate room for commissioners, where the conversation among staff and officials are isolated from policy board members.

"(The attorney's) advice is simply that you're there observing only, with no commentary, no questions," Holmes Young said. "If you have questions you would need to direct them to administration."

The deputy administrator told commissioners that she was advised in a legal opinion by the county attorney Sunday morning that the "act of you having a question could trip the threshold of a sunshine violation."

She said the act of asking a question to stimulate conversation about an action the county agency plans to take, should not involve two or more elected officials without a properly noticed public meeting.

As the emergency proclamation stands, the county board chair, currently County Chair Bill Pickins, is designated to be able to participate in the emergency operations meetings, Holmes Young said.

"What Rich is saying is just like on a normal daily basis, you wouldn't call the chairman and ask him a question," Holmes Young said. "You'd call administration and ask a question and administration would get you a solution or a resolution. The same scenario stands."

"(The attorney's) advice is simply that you can't engage in conversation," said the deputy administrator. "It's up to all of you whether or not you follow legal counsel's advice."

Commissioner Terry Turner said he didn't agree with the attorney on this issue.

"I absolutely believe that just because we've done something for 15 years, doesn't mean it means that we've been doing it correctly," said Turner. "But I also believe that I can't do my job as a county commissioner without getting briefings, without knowing what's going on… I just can't do it. Okay, if y'all decide that I'm not privy to that information, I'll dig it up on the street myself."

Turner said that he is not sure "the emergency order doesn't allow commissioners to go to the Emergency Operations Center and work together." He said in the past commissioners have helped cook food, feed people or helped in another way. Turner wanted specifics of the attorney's opinion in writing.

"It's not fair to put all of it on the chairman," said Turner. "To tell us we can't even go to EOC unless we sit in a separate room. It's just ridiculous, Julie. … If (the attorney) comes in and says that's what we've got to do, okay. But I'm gonna need to see it in writing."

City of Palatka

City staff on Sunday put out a notice requesting residents make sure they put out any yard waste and debris on Monday.

City waste disposal services will be collecting debris and yard waste on Tuesday. After that, the city asks residents to refrain from putting any waste curbside during the duration of the storm threat, so potential winds won't redistribute the waste around neighborhoods.

Putnam County Schools

Putnam County School District spokesperson Ashley McCool said that as of Sunday evening, no decisions had been made that impact area schools or scheduling.

McCool said district officials are meeting regularly with the emergency management team, monitoring the storm and expect to have more information Monday afternoon.

Town of Welaka

According to Welaka Mayor Jamie Watts, he met with town staff Sunday morning to discuss planning for the tropical storm.

Among the takeaways:

"Should the County open shelters, we will make the announcement should it become necessary for those in low-lying areas to evacuate," Watts said. "At this point, we are only making plans until we get a better idea of the storm's exact path."

Inverness Mayor Bob Plaisted will make a proclamation during Tuesday’s city council meeting calling for a Baker Act facility.

Plaisted knows that given the stalemate of the proposal after more than three years since a new drug addiction mental health provider was awarded the county’s contract, his proclamation may not tip the scales, but it’s one more call for a resolution.

Get more from the Citrus County Chronicle

The sticking point is money and who would own the 60-bed facility. LifeStream Behavioral Center, the organization that provides drug and mental health care, has bought property near the College of Central Florida for the facility.

The organization would kick in $2 million. Hernando County has pledged another $2 million.

Currently, the county’s Baker Act patients are transported by sheriff’s deputies to LifeStream’s Leesburg facility, but that takes deputies off patrol for much of the day.

The problem is that the Citrus County Hospital Board, and the Citrus County Commission, both of whom would donate to the project, want the facility to revert back to the Citrus County public if LifeStream were to lose its mental health contract with the county.

Plaisted told the Chronicle that he understood that county government would want to own the Baker Act facility if LifeStream left. But the county also needs a Baker Act facility and its residents are doing without.

Plaisted said the county and hospital board should donate to the project and be willing to not own the facility.

“If that’s what it takes,” Plaisted said of getting the facility built.

As for the facility’s future if it is built and who would own it, Plaisted said, “things change hands over the years.”

He said the county should “worry about that later” and focus on getting the Baker Act service here.

In his proposed proclamation, Plaisted will cite the county’s large senior citizen population, problems of dementia, and how seniors also need Baker Act care.

Plaisted said he is making the proposed proclamation at the urging of Dementia Education Inc. and Coping with Dementia LLC.

The city council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Valerie Theatre, 207 Courthouse Square.

ST. CLOUD, Fla. – St. Cloud officials said Monday afternoon while they’ve seen some flooding relief across some parts of the city in the wake of Hurricane Ian, they’re not out of the woods yet as far as rising water levels go.

Voluntary evacuation orders were issued Tuesday for certain areas due to rising floodwaters, including Edgewater, Whisler Court, Turtle Creek, Oaktree Point, Chisholm Ridge, Hidden Oaks, Rummel-Rookery, Lake Runny Mead mobile home park and Ashton Place.

The city’s mayor, Nathan Blackwell, said they’ve been sending reverse 911 calls to about 3,250 residents who may be impacted by potential flooding expected to peak between Oct. 7-12, urging them to prepare if necessary.

“We may see additional streets flooding. We do not anticipate water reaching people’s homes, but we can’t rule that out,” Blackwell said at the Monday briefing. “And the reason why is because of modeling changes every day, and we are responding accordingly.”

Blackwell added that as of Monday afternoon, the following roads and areas are still closed: Commerce Center Drive from Walmart to Brown Chapel Road, the intersection of Old Canoe Creek Road and Commerce Center Drive, Blackberry Creek Drive from Commerce Center Drive to Creek Bed Circle, the Jade Isle MHC mobile home park and certain streets in Savanna Park.

This comes a day after the city announced voluntary evacuations due to flooding in Blackberry, Pemberly Pines, Summer Cove, Sugar Mill, St. Cloud Village, Soleil Blue, Jade Isle, Savannah Park, Edgewater and surrounding areas.

“Our highest priority this week is to do everything we can as a city and work with our partners at the South Florida Water Management District (and) the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to potentially head off and mitigate the flooding. We are already seeing improvements in some areas, but we are not out of the woods yet,” City Manager Veronica Miller said.

Miller said city officials saw water levels receding after pumping started in Savanna Park, plugs were installed near Canal 31 and the Second Street ditch, and the outflow vandalized north of East Toho, which caused subsequent flooding in St. Cloud, was closed.

Miller also said the city is seeing positive results from the things they have been doing to address the flooding over the past several days in the city.

“Streets in Savannah Park are open again and mostly dry after our pumping operations,” she said.

The city also received five additional high volume water pumps to alleviate flooding near Blackberry Creek Drive and the ponds along Lakeshore Boulevard.

“The Lakefront ponds are designed to hold and filter the runoff water from state streets and then pull it back into the lake,” Miller said.

But, she added, after Ian hit, the water from the lake began to flow into the ponds. City officials began working Monday to block the lake water flowing into the ponds and instead pump it back to the source.

A pet-friendly shelter is open at Osceola Heritage Park, a location also offering sandbags from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sandbag operations also resumed at the St. Cloud Civic Center from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This comes after the Florida National Guard has been rescuing residents trapped in their homes by rising waters throughout Osceola County, including at Good Samaritan Society, a retirement community in Kissimmee Village.

Osceola County residents and businesses impacted by the storm can apply for federal assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration at disasterassistance.gov or disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/.

City officials ask residents to follow the city’s social media pages for the latest updates and information: Twitter | Facebook

Nyomie Ortiz can just remember what she felt the evening of New Year’s Day, 2022, when a vehicle struck her on a bicycle ride home in Sugarmill Woods.

“I did feel a lot of pain when I got hit – so much,” the 12-year-old said. “I felt like I broke something, and I did; it really hurt, it hurt so bad.”

Nyomie’s initial prognosis was complete dependency, but her recovery efforts over nine months regained her independence, and she owes it to a loving household, supportive neighbors and a dedicated team from a local physical-rehabilitation facility.

“I feel like I can do this; I feel great, amazing,” Nyomie said after her Sept. 8 therapy session at Bravera Health Seven Rivers Outpatient Rehab in Crystal River. “I don’t know how to describe it but they’ve got my back, like you can do this girl because I do got this.”

Nyomie was cycling west in the eastbound lane of West Oak Park Boulevard, near Cactus Street, at around 6:15 p.m. Jan. 1, when she merged into the westbound lane and was rear ended by a car, which came to a stop, according to Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).

First responders airlifted Nyomie, who was thrown from her bike, to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. Nyomie’s mom and dad, Norma and Angel Ortiz, heard the nearby sirens and helicopter behind their house, but didn’t know they were for their daughter.

“I had a feeling; she wasn’t home. ... We had called her to come home before sunset. ... It should have been like a 10-minute bicycle ride,” Norma Ortiz said. “My husband was already out looking for her.”

A Citrus County Sheriff’s Office deputy went to the Ortiz home roughly 45 minutes after the collision to ask Norma Ortiz if her family and its neighbors were searching for a little girl.

“And that’s how they told me,” Ortiz said. “They couldn’t tell me whether she was alive or dead; I was asking, and they just told me we needed to get to Tampa.”

Hospital staff told Nyomie’s parents their daughter, the oldest of three siblings, suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, along with other serious wounds.

Nyomie’s level of consciousness put her at a five on the Glasgow Coma Scale, which describes a three as unresponsive on its scale of up to 15.

“It wasn’t looking good,” Ortiz said.

Due to the severity of Nyomie’s injuries, citations and/or charges connected to the crash have been pending, according to FHP.

Nyomie was discharged from the hospital after a month and a week of treatment before she started therapy at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital in Jacksonville for about a month and a half.

“They did great with her,” Ortiz said, “and they worked with what they could.”

Nyomie was still bedridden when she returned home, and was not yet aware of her surroundings.

“She was present sometimes but not all the time,” Ortiz said. “That happened when she came home, like three weeks in she was finally like, ‘oh, I’m here.’”

Along with feeding, dressing and bathing their daughter, Nyomie’s parents worked to keep her body moving, like buying and installing a harness to get Nyomie onto a treadmill.

“It was stressful but we’ve always remained positive with where she would be, even when they told us ... she was going to need a tracheotomy, she might not ever be standing, walking,” Ortiz said, “but we were like, ‘no, that’s not where she’s going to be’ ... and she’s fed off of it.”

“They mean a lot to me,” Nyomie said about her parents. “I don’t know what I would do if they passed away.”

Even though Nyomie and her family moved from California to their Sugarmill Woods home in November 2021, their neighborhood hosted community events for Nyomie after the crash.

“They’ve been amazing, and they didn’t even know us. ... We knew nobody; people just took us in,” Ortiz said. “Despite the accident, we don’t regret moving here; we’re so happy and blessed – we’re happy here.”

Insurance from the collision was running out for Nyomie, leaving physical therapists to reject her until the office manager of Bravera Health Seven Rivers Outpatient Rehab, Licensed Practical Nurse Victoria Lycans, got the call.

“Insurance was used very quickly so we were her last hope,” Lycans said, “and that right there made me want to fight because, to me, that’s not right.”

“Having people to actually fight for you is amazing,” Ortiz said. “We’re so grateful; we don’t know how to thank everybody.”

Nyomie arrived mid-March to her first day at Bravera Health Seven Rivers Outpatient Rehab in a wheelchair. She was only able to move her eyes back and forth.

After a week of daily and personal therapeutic exercises, which began with a hands-on approach before she became balanced enough for more demanding tasks, Nyomie and her mobility took turns for the best.

“Honestly, when we saw her, we thought we might be able to help her by keeping muscle mass and that’s it,” Lycans said while watching Nyomie jump for a balloon held by therapist above her head, “and now look at her – she is just amazing.”

“It means a lot to me; it’s worth it,” Nyomie said about her therapy. “I feel like I’ve gotten stronger with their help.”

Lycans and Nyomie’s therapists said Nyomie’s parents have to be recognized for keeping Nyomie active in between sessions while she’s at home to keep her strength up.

“She has phenomenal parents,” Lycans said. “There isn’t a time she’s come back without improving an amazing amount.”

“The vibe of love and happiness goes such a long way for healing,” added Susan Johnston, one of the six physical and occupational therapists who’s worked with Nyomie.

Nyomie is expected to return to Lecanto Middle School soon, and has been practicing to try out next year for the school’s soccer team to be its next top goal scorer. She’s also restarted her passions of writing, drawing and coloring.

“It’s just a matter of time, continuing therapy and all that, but they do see her making a great recovery ... to live her life as normal as possible,” Ortiz said, noting it will be hard to tell how Nyomie’s brain injury will impact her.

Before the crash, Nyomie and her family discussed their upcoming goals, as they do before each new year.

“Nyomie didn’t have one, so she decided her goal was to figure out what she wanted to be when she grew up,” Ortiz said. “The accident, she says, has done it for her – she wants to be a physical therapist and take care of kids like her.”

“Help people who have gone through the same situation as me,” Nyomie said, adding, with a smile, she’d like to also help her parents and therapists when they need it.

“She’s what it’s all about, and makes us do what we do,” said Lycans, who hung a photo of Nyomie above her desk. “She’s just an amazing, determined little girl.”

Contact Chronicle reporter Buster Thompson at 352-564-2916, bthompson@chronicleonline.com or visit tinyurl.com/yxn2ahso to see more of his stories.

Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply “location, location, location.”

While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.

When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.

Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it’s a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.

Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in Florida.

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#25. Gulf County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (B), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B+)– Top places to live: Port St. Joe (B+)

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#24. Nassau County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (B-), weather (A-), outdoor activities (A)– Top places to live: Fernandina Beach (A-), Yulee (B+), Callahan (B)

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#23. Levy County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (A-), weather (A-), outdoor activities (A-)– Top places to live: Williston (B), Cedar Key (B), Bronson (B-)

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#22. Franklin County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (B+), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B+)– Top places to live: Apalachicola (B+), Eastpoint (C+), Carrabelle (B-)

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#21. St. Johns County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (C+), weather (A-), outdoor activities (A)– Top places to live: Nocatee (A+), Palm Valley (A+), Fruit Cove (A+)

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#20. Flagler County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (C+), weather (A-), outdoor activities (A-)– Top places to live: Palm Coast (B+), Flagler Beach (B), Bunnell (B)

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#19. St. Lucie County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (C+), weather (A), outdoor activities (A-)– Top places to live: Lakewood Park (B), Port St. Lucie (B), River Park (B)

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#18. Pasco County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (B-), weather (A), outdoor activities (A)– Top places to live: Wesley Chapel (A), Land O’ Lakes (A), Odessa (A)

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#17. Marion County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (B), weather (A-), outdoor activities (A-)– Top places to live: Ocala (B+), Belleview (B-), Dunnellon (B-)

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#16. Volusia County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (B-), weather (A), outdoor activities (A)– Top places to live: DeBary (A-), Port Orange (A-), Ponce Inlet (B+)

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#15. Palm Beach County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (C-), weather (A), outdoor activities (A)– Top places to live: Grandview Heights (A+), Highland Beach (A), Boca Raton (A)

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#14. Manatee County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (C+), weather (A), outdoor activities (A-)– Top places to live: Whitfield (A-), Ellenton (B+), West Bradenton (B+)

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#13. Hernando County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (B), weather (A), outdoor activities (A-)– Top places to live: North Brooksville (B+), South Brooksville (B), Brooksville (B)

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#12. Collier County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (C), weather (A), outdoor activities (A)– Top places to live: Pelican Bay (A), Naples (A), Pine Ridge (A-)

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#11. Lake County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (B-), weather (A), outdoor activities (A)– Top places to live: Clermont (A-), Montverde (B+), Silver Lake (B+)

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#10. Citrus County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (B+), weather (A-), outdoor activities (A-)– Top places to live: Citrus Hills (B+), Sugarmill Woods (B), Hernando (B)

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#9. Brevard County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (B-), weather (A), outdoor activities (A-)– Top places to live: Satellite Beach (A+), South Patrick Shores (A), Indian Harbour Beach (A)

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#8. Sumter County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (B-), weather (A), outdoor activities (A)– Top places to live: The Villages (B+), Bushnell (B+), Wildwood (B)

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#7. Martin County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (C+), weather (A), outdoor activities (A-)– Top places to live: North River Shores (A), Jensen Beach (A), Palm City (A-)

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#6. Charlotte County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (B-), weather (A), outdoor activities (A)– Top places to live: Punta Gorda (B+), Charlotte Park (B+), Grove City (B+)

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#5. Pinellas County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (C+), weather (A), outdoor activities (A)– Top places to live: Euclid-St. Paul (A+), Holiday Park (A+), North Shore (A+)

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#4. Lee County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (C+), weather (A), outdoor activities (A)– Top places to live: Whiskey Creek (A), Gateway (A), Sanibel (A)

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#3. Highlands County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (B+), weather (A), outdoor activities (B+)– Top places to live: Lake Placid (B), Avon Park (B-), Sebring (B-)

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#2. Indian River County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (B-), weather (A), outdoor activities (A-)– Top places to live: Indian River Shores (A), South Beach (A-), Wabasso Beach (A-)

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#1. Sarasota County

– Niche grades: good for retirees (A+), cost of living (C+), weather (A), outdoor activities (A)– Top places to live: South Sarasota (A), Osprey (A), South Gate Ridge (A)

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