Orange County Storm Update - Eye on Idalia

Idalia Updates

28 August, 2023
Public Health & Safety

Latest news is displayed first.

For resources and information on storm preparedness, visit www.ocfl.net/storm.

 

1
Update: News Conference | August 30, 2023 | 2:00 p.m.

Watch the full conference on Vimeo.

HURRICANE IDALIA UPDATE

This morning, Hurricane Idalia made landfall at 7:45 a.m. along the coast of Florida’s Big Bend area. It intensified into a major Category 4 Hurricane, then dropped back to a Category 3 before it made landfall. Orange County fared well during the storm, with no reported flooded roadways. There were no reported storm related deaths or major injuries.

It’s important to know that Orange County is under a wind advisory, with the possibility of wind gusts between 25-35 miles an hour.

SHELTERS

As of 10:30 a.m., Orange County’s general population shelters are now closed. A total of 151 individuals utilized Orange County’s general population shelters at Barnett Park and South Econ Recreation Center. Approximately 90% of these individuals were unhoused residents.

The county’s two special needs/medical shelters are also in the process of closing.

GARBAGE COLLECTION

Orange County Utilities teams will be conducting a makeup day on Saturday, September 2, for residents in unincorporated Orange County who did not receive Wednesday curbside garbage, recycling, large item, and yard waste collections. Those with Wednesday services should follow regular curbside collection guidelines and place materials out at the curb by 6 a.m. on Saturday morning.

The Orange County landfill and transfer stations will reopen on Thursday, Aug. 31, under regular operating hours.

COUNTY OPERATIONS

Orange County Fire Rescue: Earlier this morning, Orange County Fire Rescue Department personnel evaluated nursing homes and assisted living facilities to ensure all buildings had power after the storm. No facilities lost electricity during the storm. Fire Rescue is now back to normal operations.

Thirty specialized individuals from Fire Rescue will be deployed to the Tampa area as part of the Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 4. They will be charged with helping with search and recovery in the areas affected by Hurricane Idalia.

Orange County Parks & Recreation: All Orange County Parks and Recreation facilities are currently closed. This includes campgrounds, boat ramps, programs and rentals. All facilities were assessed this morning for storm damage to see if they are safe to reopen to the public tomorrow. All county campgrounds and boat ramps will reopen tomorrow, Aug. 31.

Orange County Government: Orange County Administrative offices will reopen and resume normal business operations on Thursday, Aug.31.

EXTERNAL PARTNERS

Orange County Public Schools: Orange County Public Schools plans to resume classes on Thursday, Aug. 31. (ocps.net). Orange County Head Start will resume on Thursday, Aug. 31.

LYNX: All LYNX services including fixed route and NeighborLink services have started to serve customers using a regular weekday schedule. ACCESS LYNX is only providing life-sustaining trips today. The paratransit provider will return to full service with a reservation on Thursday, Aug. 31. The LYNX Customer Service Window will be open 9 a.m. to7 p.m. to assist customers. (golynx.com)

Courts: Regular business operations will resume on Thursday, Aug. 31.  (ninthcircuit.org) (myorangeclerk.com)

 

2
Update: Storm Update | August 30, 2023 | 10:30 a.m.

As of 10:30 a.m. this morning, Orange County’s general population shelters are now closed. A total of 151 individuals utilized Orange County’s shelters at Barnett Park and South Econ Recreation Center.

 

3
Update: News Conference | August 29, 2023 | 2:00 p.m.

Watch the full conference on Vimeo.

HURRICANE IDALIA UPDATE

Orange County has fully activated our Emergency Operations Center to monitor Hurricane Idalia and relay vital safety information to our residents. As of today, Orange County has also been added to the Governor’s State of Emergency Executive Order.

Orange County is currently under a Tropical Storm Warning. Possible hazards to East Central Florida, during late Tuesday through early Wednesday, include:

  • Potential for sustained tropical storm force winds at 25-35 mph, as well as gusts at 45-50 mph
  • Heavy rain of 1-3 inches, with possibility of 4-5 inches in localized areas
  • Possible isolated tornadoes

Local leaders urge residents to be prepared for all storm events.

SANDBAGS

In preparation for rain, the county opened its free, self-service sandbag program at select parks. Residents will receive 10 unfilled sandbags per household and will need to bring their own shovel or filling tool. All self-serve sandbag sites will operate today, Tuesday, Aug. 29, until operations are shut down at 7 p.m., pending severe weather. Yesterday, a total of 5,000 sandbags were filled by residents to protect their homes.

For questions or information for residents with special needs, please dial 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111.

SHELTERS

Shelters in Orange County are now open for individuals needing to evacuate or seek shelter from Hurricane Idalia. ID cards are not required to enter shelters.

General Population Shelters (Pet Friendly)

  • Barnett Park
  • South Econ Recreation Center

Shelters for Individuals with Special/Medical Needs (Pet Friendly)
(Orange County residents requiring a Special Needs/Medical Shelter please dial 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111)

  • Silver Star Recreation Center
  • Goldenrod Recreation Center

Visit ocfl.net/shelters for important information on what to bring with you to a shelter.

Shelters and Transportation for People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness

ALL current homeless shelters will extend capacity to people in need:

  • Coalition for the Homeless, 18 N. Terry Ave., Orlando, 32801
  • Orlando Union Rescue Mission family home, 1521 W. Washington St., Orlando, 32805
    (for women, families and couples)
  • Orlando Union Rescue Mission men’s center, 3300 W. Colonial Dr., Orlando, 32808
    (single men only)
  • The Salvation Army Orlando, 624 Lexington Ave, Orlando, 32801
  • Rescue Outreach Mission, 1701 W. 13th St., Sanford, 32771

Homeless shelters are expected to open between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29. No pets, alcohol, illicit drugs or weapons allowed. People unwilling or unable to seek shelter are strongly encouraged to evacuate low-lying, flood-prone areas and find barriers to avoid flying debris.

Lynx will provide free service along regularly scheduled routes, currently expected to run until 11 p.m. Tuesday. Tell the driver you want to go to the nearest emergency weather shelter. Please seek safe shelter as soon as possible Tuesday afternoon, as LYNX bus service will not operate in winds exceeding 35 mph.

COUNTY PREPARATION

Orange County Fire Rescue: Crews have visited some 6,000 mobile homes, handing out flyers in both English and Spanish, urging residents to temporarily relocate to a safer place to ride out the storm, like a friend or relative’s home or a nearby shelter. Canvassing for nursing homes and assisted living facilities took place yesterday to ensure the safety of this vulnerable population.

Orange County Public Works: Pumps, drain lines, generators for traffic signals, as well as areas prone to flooding have been assessed for potential storm activity. On average, 900 sandbags were distributed at each sandbag distribution site yesterday.

Orange County Utilities: Due to expected strong winds curbside garbage, recycling, large item, and yard waste collections in unincorporated Orange County have been cancelled for tomorrow, Wednesday, August 30. The regular curbside collection schedule will resume on Thursday, August 31. Residents with Wednesday collections will be serviced the following Wednesday, September 6. Residents should remove empty roll carts and any materials remaining at the curb and bring them back into the house or a secure location this evening.

The Orange County Landfill and transfer stations are scheduled to be closed on Wednesday, August 30.

Orange County Parks & Recreation: All Parks and Recreation facilities operated by Orange County will close tonight, Tuesday, August 29, at 8 p.m., including campgrounds, boat ramps, programs and rentals. Individual sites and facilities will re-open sometime on Thursday, August 31, after each location is assessed for storm damage and deemed safe for the public.

Orange County Government: Orange County Administrative offices will close on Wednesday and normal County operations will be suspended. Offices will reopen and resume normal business operations on Thursday, August 31.

EXTERNAL PARTNERS

Orange County Public Schools: Orange County Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday including all after school activities. Orange County Public Schools plans to resume classes on Thursday, Aug. 31. (ocps.net)

LYNX: Regular bus operations will end at 11:00 P.M. tonight. Teams will monitor weather activity and announce a timeline to safely resume regularly scheduled services, perhaps as early as Wednesday afternoon. (golynx.com)

Courts: The courts will be closed on Wednesday, August 30. Regular business operations will resume on Thursday, August 31.  (ninthcircuit.org) (myorangeclerk.com)

 

4
Update: News Conference | August 28, 2023 | 1:00 p.m.

Watch the full conference on Vimeo.

TROPICAL STORM IDALIA UPDATE

Orange County Government’s Office of Emergency Management is closely monitoring the path of Tropical Storm Idalia. Orange County is currently under a Tropical Storm Watch. Possible hazards to East Central Florida, during late Tuesday through early Wednesday, include:

  • 35-45% chance for tropical storm force winds at 25-35 mph, as well as gusts at 45-55 mph
  • Heavy rain of 2-3 inches, with possibility of 4-5 inches in localized areas
  • Possible isolated tornadoes

Local leaders urge residents to be prepared for all storm events.

SANDBAGS

In preparation for rain, the county opened its free, self-service sandbag program at select parks. Residents will receive 10 unfilled sandbags per household and will need to bring their own shovel or filling tool.

Sites will operate today, Monday, Aug. 28, from 12 to 7 p.m., and Tuesday, Aug. 29, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., pending severe weather. For questions or information for residents with special needs, please dial 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111.

COUNTY PREPARATION

Orange County Fire Rescue: Crews are canvasing nursing homes, assisted living facilities and mobile-home parks to ensure emergency plans are in place.

Orange County Public Works: Pumps, drain lines, generators for traffic signals, as well as areas prone to flooding have been assessed for potential storm activity.

Orange County Utilities: Pump Stations, water reclamation and other operational facilities are being monitored to ensure power and maximum water storage is available. Solid waste pickup, transfer station services and the landfill are operating as normal. Staff will be monitoring weather activity for Tuesday and Wednesday operations.

EXTERNAL PARTNERS

Orange County Public Schools: School will be open on Tuesday. However, after-school programs for Tuesday, as well as school plans for Wednesday, are currently being reviewed. (ocps.net)

LYNX: Bus operations continue today. LYNX will be monitoring weather activity for Tuesday and Wednesday operations. (golynx.com)

Courts: Business operations continue today and Tuesday. The courts will be monitoring weather activity for Wednesday operations. (ninthcircuit.org) (myorangeclerk.com)

SHELTERS

Shelters in Orange County will open tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 29, by 1 p.m., for individuals needing to evacuate or seek shelter from Tropical Storm Idalia. ID cards are not required to enter shelters. All shelters are pet friendly.

General Population Shelters

  • Barnett Park
  • South Econ Recreation Center

Shelters for Individuals with Special/Medical Needs (*for Orange County residents requiring a Special Needs/Medical Shelter please dial 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111)

  • Silver Star Recreation Center
  • Goldenrod Recreation Center

Visit ocfl.net/shelters for important information on what to bring with you to a shelter.

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