Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings provided a Hurricane Helene update on the county’s storm readiness and preparations today, Wednesday, September 24, at the Orange County Emergency Operations Center in Winter Park.
Watch the full news conference on YouTube or Vimeo.
Helene update – key takeaways
According to the National Weather Service, Orange County is under a Tropical Storm Warning. There are isolated tornado threats that could begin as early as Wednesday evening. The county is expected to see Tropical Storm force winds as early as noon tomorrow and conditions will deteriorate throughout Thursday.
Weather conditions:
- Sustained winds of 25-30 mph (gusts as high as 45-55 mph)
- Rain from 1-4 inches
Residents are encouraged to complete their storm preparations by this evening.
Sandbags
Orange County Public Works will continue to offer free self-serve sandbags to residents until 7 p.m. this evening, pending severe weather. So far, 13,000 sandbags have been distributed. Locations include:
- Barnett Park: 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
- Bithlo Community Park: 18501 Washington Avenue, Orlando
- Clarcona Horse Park: 3535 Damon Road, Apopka
- Downey Park: 10107 Flowers Avenue, Orlando
- Meadow Woods Recreation Center: 1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle, Orlando
- West Orange Recreation Center: 309 S West Crown Point Road, Winter Garden
Garbage pick up
On Thursday, September 26, Orange County Utilities will NOT collect residential curbside garbage, yard waste, recycling, and large items. The makeup day for customers will be Saturday, September 28. For updated information and resources, visit ocfl.net/UtilitiesStormInfo.
SHELTERS
Shelters in Orange County will open tomorrow, Thursday, September 26, at 7:30 a.m., for individuals needing to evacuate or seek shelter from Helene. ID cards are not required to enter shelters. Shelters are pet friendly.
- General Population Shelters
- Barnett Park: 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
- Shelters for Individuals with Special/Medical Needs
- Orange County residents requiring a Special Needs/Medical Shelter dial 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111.
LYNX will provide free service to shelter locations. Visit ocfl.net/shelters for important information on what to bring with you to a shelter.
Power outages
When possible, report power outages to your electric provider in Orange County.
- Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) – 407-423-9018
- Duke Energy – 800-228-8485
- Winter Park Utility – 877-811-8700
Lakes and ponds
- Orlo Vista: Ponds have been pumped down several feet. Public Works contractors have connected four 12-inch mobile pumps to discharge lines and act as back-up pumps.
- Big Sand Lake: Sediment was removed from the discharge end of the system at Valencia drainage canal. The outfall system is clean and free of debris.
Closures
- Orange County Government: County offices are closed on Thursday, September 26.
- Orange County Public Schools: Schools will be closed Thursday, September 26. After-school activities will end by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25.
- Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida: All courthouses in the Ninth Judicial Circuit are closed on Thursday, September 26.
- Solid Waste Facilities Update: Orange County landfill and transfer stations will be closed to the public on Thursday, September 26.
The Apopka Chief and The Planter are weekly community newspapers, independently owned and family operated, that have served the greater Apopka area in Central Florida since 1923 and 1965 respectively.
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