Doreen Overstreet: (407) 468-5851 or Doreen.Overstreet@ocfl.net
Carrie Proudfit: (407) 461-8796 or Carrie.Proudfit@ocfl.net

Orange County Office of Emergency Management Press Briefing

Shelter Information Included

10.05.2016 Evening Briefing

Orlando, Fla. – Oct. 5, 2016 – The most recent report by the National Weather Service indicates that Hurricane Matthew’s track has shifted to the west and could make landfall by Friday morning in Brevard County. Orange County is currently preparing for the potential for hurricane-force winds, in excess of 65-70 miles per hour, with gusts up to 90 miles per hour between late Thursday night, and all day Friday.

Please see the latest announcements from Orange County as of 7 p.m.

  • For Hurricane Matthew updates, visit www.ocfl.net/Matthew.
  • Orange County Government will suspend normal County operations beginning at noon on Thursday (Oct. 6) and extending through end of business on Friday, October 7 (applies to non-essential personnel only). Normal County operations will resume Monday morning, Oct. 10.
  • Orange County Fire Rescue personnel will go door-to-door tomorrow morning (Oct. 6) through various mobile home parks in Orange County to encourage evacuations.
  • General, pet-friendly and special needs shelters in Orange County will open tomorrow starting at 1 p.m. (see below for list and what to bring).
  • Residents who need assistance booking hotel accommodations can call 407-354-5555. This hotline will help callers identify vacancies to accommodate their families.
  • Orange County personnel, along with members of the HOPE Team are doing outreach to the homeless to ensure they are aware of the storm and utilize shelters.
  • Sandbag distribution will continue tomorrow at eight locations throughout the county. Nearly 50,000 sandbags were distributed to Orange County residents today.
  • The next press briefing is scheduled at the Emergency Operations Center tomorrow, Thursday Oct. 6 at 10:30 a.m. (separate information to follow).

Shelters Open at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6.

Shelter Name Address Staffed By Type of Shelter
Apopka High 555 Martin St, Apopka, FL 32712 Orange County General Population
Corner Lake Middle 1700 Chuluota Rd, Orlando, FL 32820 Red Cross General Population
Timber Creek High School 1001 Avalon Park S Blvd, Orlando, FL 32828 Orange County General Population
Odyssey Middle School 9290 Lee Vista Blvd, Orlando, FL 32829 Orange County General Population
Bithlo Community Park 18501 Washington Ave, Orlando, FL 32820 Red Cross/Orange County General Population /Pet Friendly
Barnett Park 4801 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32808 Red Cross/Orange County General Population /Pet Friendly

For special needs shelter, contact 407-836-9319

Please note: shelters will not be able to accommodate early arrivals.

What to Bring to a Shelter:

  • Sleeping bag or blanket per person.
  • Water, stored in plastic bottles with screw caps; one gallon per person per day.
  • Board games for entertainment.
  • Special items for infants (clothes, diapers, milk or formula, water to mix with dry formula, powder, bottles and nipples, food, small toys, blankets, portable crib, etc.).
  • Personal hygiene items such as towels, washcloths, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant and feminine supplies.
  • First-aid kit, including adhesive bandages, aspirin, liquid soap and prescription medications.
  • Non-perishable canned or packaged food and drinks (corned beef, tuna fish, apple sauce, cookies, juice, etc.), preferably that requires no cooking and a non-electric can opener. It may take a day or more to set up a regular meal schedule at a shelter.
  • Reading, writing materials and paper.
  • Battery powered flashlight in case of power loss.

Please note that shelters are alcohol, drug and weapon free zones.

Sandbag Distribution:
On Thursday, Oct. 5, sandbags will be distributed from 7 a.m. though 3 p.m. (weather permitting). Residents are eligible for up to 10 sandbags per vehicle. For information and locations, visit www.ocfl.net/ocsandbaginfo.

Apopka – 3258 Clarcona Road
Bithlo – 18753 Old Cheney Highway
Goldenrod – 2530 N. Forsyth Rd.
John Young – 4200 S. John Young Pkwy.
Taft – 11442 Intermodal Way
Three Points – 4631 Young Pine Road
West Orange – 644 Beulah Road
Zellwood – 3400 Golden Gem Road

Hotel and Lodging:
A snapshot of Central Florida hotel lodging reflects that there are 17,000 available rooms. Individuals can call 407-354-5555 if they need assistance identifying rooms to meet their family’s needs. Rosen Hotels are offering “distress rates” for guests evacuating.

Ongoing:

  • Residents are encouraged to visit www.ocfl.net/Matthew for the latest Hurricane Matthew information as it pertains to Orange County.
  • Orange County Public Works, Stormwater Management Division is proactively checking drainage infrastructure to include stormwater drains, canals and ponds as well as other sites in anticipation of potential heavy rainfall in Orange County. In addition equipment to remove debris and tree limbs is being inventoried and tested.

About Orange County Government: Orange County Government strives to serve its residents and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous theme parks, one of the nation’s largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide. For more information, please visit www.OCFL.net or go to Orange County Government’s social media channels.

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