Saint Lucie County is bracing for significant weather impacts as a major hurricane approaches, with officials issuing a tropical storm warning and preparing emergency measures. The storm is expected to make landfall with tropical storm force winds, likely arriving in the area by Wednesday evening, with a 55-65% probability of such winds, according to the National Weather Service.

As part of the preparations, the county has opened three shelters, including two pet-friendly options at Treasure Coast High School and Fort Pierce Westwood High School, along with a special needs shelter at the FINS Center. These shelters will open at 2 PM today. In addition, Saint Lucie County Schools will be closed from today through Thursday, with a reevaluation planned for Friday.

Local authorities have enacted a state of emergency, which will be communicated to state officials for record-keeping. Public works teams have been actively lowering stormwater receptacles and clearing debris from drainage systems to mitigate flooding risks. Residents are advised to finalize their storm preparations and stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary, as saturated ground conditions increase the likelihood of downed power lines and trees.

The police department is ramping up its presence, transitioning to emergency shifts to ensure public safety during the storm. Officials are urging residents to avoid placing debris at the curb, as it can become hazardous projectiles in high winds.

While the storm's trajectory is currently projected to move east into the North Atlantic, officials caution that weather patterns can change, and residents should remain vigilant. Continuous updates and advisories will be provided to keep the community informed as the situation develops.