Before the storm: Emergency managers already urging Treasure Coast residents to prepare

Tropical Depression 9 could strengthen into a major hurricane — at least a Category 3 — early next week during its expected to approach Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center, and emergency managers across the Treasure Coast are urging residents to prepare as soon as possible.

As of 11 a.m. Friday, the tropical depression was moving west at 35 mph through the Caribbean Sea south of the Dominican Republic.

The storm was expected to approach Jamaica as a tropical storm on Sunday and the Cayman Islands as a hurricane on Monday, according to the NHC.

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Potential Hurricane Hermine could approach the west coast of Florida early next week “with the potential for significant impacts from storm surge, hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall,” forecasters said.

The effects of a hurricane could be felt along Florida's east coast even if the storm stays over the Gulf of Mexico, officials said.

Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin residents should be implementing hurricane plans as meteorologists continue to track the tropical depression, according to emergency management staff.

“By Sunday, we will have a better idea of how this system will impact our area,” said Indian River County spokesperson Kathy Copeland.

County hurricane preparedness guidelines include a list of county emergency shelters, and officials are recommending residents prepare hurricane kits containing batteries, flashlights, medication and at least seven days worth of water and nonperishable food.

St. Lucie County staff will be working around the clock this weekend, and Public Safety Director Rangel Guerrero urged residents to remain calm while preparing.

“The National Hurricane Center has placed Florida, including St. Lucie County, in the system's cone of uncertainty, and it’s still too early to determine the exact impacts,” Guerrero said Friday.

As of Friday, the county was not planning to open emergency shelters for this storm, according to Guerrero, but that could change.

“Everyone should be reviewing their hurricane preparedness plans, ensuring that their hurricane kit is ready and updated with the necessary items such as water, nonperishables, first-aid kits and medication,” Guerrero said. “People also should be monitoring local news for updates and listening to public officials.”

Moreover, residents should not be trimming trees or putting out any vegetative debris piles, according to St. Lucie County spokesperson Erick Gill. Such yard-waste items can become dangerous projectiles if the area experiences high winds, officials said.

If Martin County opens any of its emergency shelters, its emergency management website would show which ones are available as well as weather updates and resources, said Sally Waite, emergency management director.

Martin County's emergency staff already has tentatively plans to distribute sandbags to contain flooding, she said. Residents already have been calling to inquire about them, she said.

"That seems to be one of our most-asked-for resources," Waite said. "The Weather Service does predict that we will be having a lot of rainfall from this."

Lina Ruiz is TCPalm's watchdog reporter for Martin County. You can reach her at lina.ruiz@tcpalm.com, on Twitter @Lina_Ruiz48 or at 321-501-3845

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: How to prepare for potential Hurricane Hermine's impact on Treasure Coast