IN THE WAKE OF WEATHER
Floridians and other coastal residents know what to do when a
hurricane is brewing nearby. They know to stay informed, stock
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All drainage areas had to be functioning and clear
Excavated areas had to be filled in temporarily
up on necessities (or make plans to evacuate), and to prepare
their property for the storm. But have you ever wondered what After the storm passed, FDOT decided when the area was safe to
happen to a construction site in the face of a hurricane? resume construction, considering things like downed trees and
powerlines and localized flooding.
Hillsborough County’s construction crews found out in 2017
when Hurricane Irma threatened the area. The entire state of
Florida was in the cone for a potentially catastrophic category 4
or 5 storm, and without knowing exactly where the storm would
turn, everyone had to be prepared for the worst.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) stayed on top
of the latest forecasts and made the decisions as to when to stop
construction and begin preparations:
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Barricades and traffic control materials were stored indoors
Larger construction materials were tied down or weighted
down securely
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