Two emergency response officials called Tropical Storm Fay a "rehearsal" for Highlands County's efforts. The storm's winds were relatively mild, even though the rain was heavy enough to flood the southern and eastern areas of the county. ...more

August 24, 2008

"This is the perfect storm, for us," Steve "Plunkett" Coltharp, interim director of Highlands County EMS, said as he stood under the bay roof that protected two ambulances from the rain at 7:15 a.m. Tuesday. ...more

August 20, 2008

SEBRING - As Tropical Storm Fay tracks further to the east, the National Weather Service predicted 11:15 a.m. Tuesday that six to 10 inches of rain could be dumped on the county before Fay leaves the area, with even more in some spots. The gauge at the Highlands County Emergency Operations Center south of Sebring measured 2.87 inches of rain fell since the storm's outer bands reached the county. ...more

August 19, 2008

Traffic lights were swinging and palm trees bent under sustained 25 mph winds that gusted to 42 mph while rain pounded on area roofs thanks to Tropical Storm Fay, according to Highlands County Emergency Management Director Bill Nichols. ...more

August 19, 2008

as far as Floridians are concerned - have been quiet. ...more

August 19, 2008

Neither County officials nor the National Weather Service knows exactly what to expect from Tropical Storm Fay. ...more

August 18, 2008

Public schools throughout Highlands County will be closed Tuesday as the county braces for Tropical Storm Fay. Two of those schools, including Woodlawn Elementary in Sebring and Lake Placid High School, will be activated at 6 p.m. Monday as hurricane shelters, Highlands County Emergency Operations director Bill Nichols said Sunday. The county will also open the Avon Park Recreational Center for shelter. The County Board of Commissioners will hold an emergency meeting at 8 a.m. Monday to decide if other county services will be halted Tuesday, when Fay is expected to pass through Highlands County. National Weather Service projections indicate that the eye will go over Hardee County. ...more

August 17, 2008

The developers of Cypress Creek Town Center could pay nearly $10,000 in county fines for twice letting muddy water escape their site at State Road 56 and Interstate 75. ...more

February 5, 2008