Helene Updates

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Visit ocfl.net/storm for resources and information on storm recovery. Follow the National Weather Service for the latest weather updates.

Para ver las últimas actualizaciones en Español, visite ocfl.net/Helene-es.
Pou w ka wè dènye mizajou yo an Kreyòl, ale sou ocfl.net/helene-cr.

Watch the full news conference on YouTube or Vimeo.

HELENE UPDATE – KEY TAKEAWAYS 09/27/2024

RECOVERY INFO
Early this morning, Orange County Fire Rescue crews canvassed neighborhoods across the county to evaluate damage. While they encountered downed trees and power lines in various areas, no significant damage was found. Flooding was minimal, and there were no major structural impacts. Other County departments have reported similar findings, with minimal damage observed.

Downed Power Lines:

• NEVER touch, approach, or drive over downed lines
• Consider all downed lines as live
• Report downed lines by dialing 9-1-1

Downed Trees:

• Report downed trees in unincorporated Orange County by dialing 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111.
• Orange County’s Emergency Operation Center has been reduced to Level 3 as of 3 p.m.

GARBAGE COLLECTION
Customers who did not receive garbage, recycling, yard waste, and large item collection in unincorporated Orange County on Thursday will be serviced on Saturday. Residents need to have their materials out at the curb by 6 a.m.

Since there may be extra yard waste generated because of the storm, residents are reminded that the weekly collection for yard waste is limited to three cubic yards (about the size of three stoves). Additionally, each can, bag, and bundle must be 60 pounds or less, and limbs must be three feet long or less and tied securely with string.

Updates are available online at www.ocfl.net/UtilitiesStormInfo.

RESTORING POWER
Electric companies across the County are restoring power to homes and businesses experiencing outages. When possible, report 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

ASSISTING COUNTIES

Utilities: A Field Services crew of 14, including electricians, mechanics, and technicians, left this morning with 13 generators to assist impacted areas in north Florida. The team will be based out of Tallahassee and assist with pump station repairs for critical wastewater services.

Fire Rescue: A total of 25 Fire Rescue personnel have been dispatched across Florida. The state’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Task Force 4, which includes several Orange County firefighters, received orders to deploy early this morning. The team is currently in Sarasota County assisting with water rescue efforts and evacuations.

As of 10 a.m., all Orange County’s shelters are now closed.

Watch the full news conference on YouTube or Vimeo.

WEATHER UPDATE

Tropical Storm Warnings remain in effect for all East Central Florida. Orange County is under a Tornado Watch until 8 p.m. this evening. Hurricane Helene has a very large wind field. Strong winds are the biggest concern in Central Florida, and in the coming hours we will see conditions deteriorate.

The forecast calls for:

• Sustained winds of 25-35 mph (gusts up to 45-55 mph)
• 1-2 inches of rain, but it could be more in some areas

 GARBAGE COLLECTION

At this time, curbside collection of garbage, yard waste, recycling, and large items is expected to resume on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. A reminder: since curbside collection service was interrupted on Thursday, the makeup day for those customers will be Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. Updates will be announced online at www.ocfl.net/UtilitiesStormInfo.

 POWER OUTAGES

Several power outages have been reported throughout the County. When possible, report 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

SHELTERS

More than 80 residents are currently in shelters in Orange County. Both the General Population shelter and the two Special Needs shelters are scheduled to close tomorrow morning.

OPENINGS

• Orange County Government: Resume regular operations tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.
• Orange County Landfill and Transfer Stations: Resume regular operations tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, or when conditions are safe to do so.
• Orange County Public Schools: Resume regular operations tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.
• Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida: Resume regular operations tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.
• Central Florida Transportation Authority (LYNX): LYNX bus service is operating today, but they are closely monitoring sustained winds. If winds reach 35 mph or higher, LYNX will halt service, as buses cannot operate safely under those conditions.

ASSISTING OUR NEIGHBORS

• Utilities: Orange County Utilities plans to send 14 staff members, including electricians, mechanics and technicians, to Tallahassee for reciprocal aid tomorrow morning.
• Fire Rescue: Task Force 4, a state asset that specializes in search and rescue, medical support, communications and damage assessment, is activated and awaiting deployment missions. Orange County’s MARC 5 unit, which establishes communications through a portable radio tower for emergency teams operating in a disaster zone, has already deployed to Ocala to await deployment orders.

Watch the full news conference on YouTube or Vimeo.

WEATHER UPDATE

The National Weather Service has determined that 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, FL 32808
• Bithlo Community Park: 18501 Washington Avenue, Orlando, FL 32820
• Clarcona Horse Park: 3535 Damon Road, Apopka, FL 32703
• Downey Park: 10107 Flowers Avenue, Orlando, FL 32825
• Meadow Woods Rec Center: 1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle, Orlando, FL 32824
• West Orange Rec Center: 309 S West Crown Point Road, Winter Garden, FL 34787

GARBAGE PICK UP

On Thursday, Sept. 26, Orange County Utilities will NOT collect residential curbside garbage, yard waste, recycling, and large items. The makeup day for customers will be Saturday, Sept. 28. For updated information and resources, visit www.ocfl.net/UtilitiesStormInfo.

SHELTERS

Shelters in Orange County will open tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 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 Shelter
  • Barnett Park: 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32808
• Shelters for Individuals with Special/Medical Needs
  • West Orange Rec Center: 309 S.W. Crown Point Rd, Winter Garden, FL 34787
  • Goldenrod Rec Center: 4863 N. Goldenrod Rd, Winter Park, FL 32792
  • Orange County residents requiring a Special Needs/Medical Shelter please 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” 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 Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.
• Orange County Public Schools: Schools are closed Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. After-school activities will end by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.
• Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida: All courthouses in the Ninth Judicial Circuit are closed Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.
• Solid Waste Facilities Update: Orange County Landfill and transfer stations will be closed to the public on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.
• SunRail: SunRail is closed on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.

Orange County Public Works will offer self-serve sandbags to residents ahead of potential impacts from a weather system currently near the Yucatan Peninsula, forecasted to make its way into the Gulf of Mexico in the next 48 hours. Residents will be provided with 10 unfilled sandbags and directed to the sand pile on site. All residents will need to bring their own shovel to fill their sandbags. Individuals with special needs who need sandbag assistance should contact Orange County 311 by dialing 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111.

Hours of Operation

• Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Locations are subject to close earlier than scheduled due to weather conditions.

Sandbag Locations (Map)

• Barnett Park: 4801 W. Colonial Drive Orlando, FL 32808
• Bithlo Community Park: 18501 Washington Avenue, Orlando, FL 32820
• Clarcona Horse Park: 3535 Damon Road, Apopka, FL 32703
• Downey Park:10107 Flowers Avenue, Orlando, FL 32825
• Meadow Woods Recreation Center: 1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle, Orlando, FL 32824
• West Orange Recreation Center: 309 S West Crown Point Road, Winter Garden, FL 34787

For additional storm preparedness information and to sign up for OC Alert, the county’s emergency alert system, visit www.ocfl.net/storm.