BY George Petrena, Correspondent

Safety and Law enforcement officers, and the Army National Guard are getting their assignments at the command post located at the Branford Town Hall.



Phil Kiracofe, public information officer for Florida Department of Law Enforcement is heading up the operations here. He said, “We are getting set up now. We have law enforcement officers getting their orientation, so that we are not caught off guard when the waters crest. It will probably be a week before the rivers crest, and the flood is expected to be near what it was in l998. Some of the areas that flooded last time, are already flooded. People thought they were safe before, and they may not be this time.”



According to Kiracofe the agencies are doing the same as what they did in the hurricane areas. All the groups are under one heading.



The multitude of agencies, are mostly law enforcement, and emergencies, to deal with the problems ahead. “The agencies are setting up to prevent problems before they occur,” said Kiracofe.



The Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, Suwannee County Emergency Management, FHP, Department of Agriculture, FDLE, Florida Department of Transportation, and Fish and Wild Life. Kiracofe said, “The Fish and Wildlife are crucial to us as they will patrol the waters to keep other boaters off the rivers. The water is high enough that the recreational boaters will create wakes that could come crashing into the homes along the rivers. Protection of peoples properties are paramount. We want to get out the word to evacuate now, not to wait until the last minute to evacuate. We don’t want to have to pull those resources to move someone who waited too long, and we have to pull our resources to get people in and out. This takes away from the protection. Keep your eyes on news reports, and move out valuables, and do so while you can still drive your vehicles. We are giving no evacuation notices, they will be given by the Sheriff’s office. So far no one has been ordered to get out.”



Counties involved in this program include, Suwannee Lafayette, Hamilton, and Gilchrist County.



“Of course we will help those get out who have waited too long, but we hope that everyone will get out before it’s too late. Move out while you can still drive your vehicles, and take your valuables with you,” said Kiracofe.