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Restoration efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma

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From Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson

Late Sunday night, September 10th, 2017, Orange County was hit by the powerful Hurricane Irma. Although the previously Category 5 hurricane had decreased to a Category 2 by the time it had arrived in Orange County, the County discovered that “…based on preliminary assessments, the damage from this storm appears to be far greater than what Orange County experienced from Charley in 2004.” In the aftermath of the storm, several damage assessment teams from different departments of Orange County Government are currently assessing infrastructure and property damage. As assessments are made, with a focus on public safety, the teams will move forward with the restoration process.

Orange County Fire Rescue (OCFR) is currently conducting road to road assessments for infrastructure and property damage. This process, referred to as the post rapid windshield assessment, determines where the greatest concentration of impact is. Based on its assessment following Hurricane Irma, Fire Rescue found that Zellwood in North Orange County had the highest levels of fallen trees requiring road clearing. Throughout Orange County, Fire Rescue has found many fallen trees and power lines, blocked roads, broken traffic lights, flooding, and no major infrastructure issues. In between responding to 911 calls, if Fire Rescue sees or is notified of debris on major roads, they will stay at the scene to offer their assistance until the Public Works Department arrives. In addition, Orange County’s CART / SAT initiative began on Monday, September 11th. Under the CART / SAT initiative, Fire Rescue and Orange County employees meet at designated distribution sites in different parts of the community to assist residents with the restoration process. How these sites are decided depends on where in the community the greatest damage was assessed. The distribution sites have deployed restoration equipment needed to aid residents with repairing damage done to their property. Orange County has two designated distribution sites: John Bridges Center, 445 W 13th Street, Apopka, Florida 32703 and the Taft Community Center in the Conway area. Overall, this initiative helps expedite the restoration process and return the community to normal. If residents have questions or would like more information, they can contact Fire Rescue at (407) 836-9000.

Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson

Orange County is experiencing widespread power outages throughout the community. In addition, the storm has placed a considerable strain on the County’s pump stations. To assist with the restoration process, Orange County requests that residents minimize the use of their water, such as use in bathing, flushing toilets, washing machines, and dishwashers; if residents have conserved water in a bathtub, they are asked to refrain from draining that water. Where there are more than 300,000 residents without power, utilities asks for patience as they work to restore power in the community and to only call once when reporting an outage with a power company. To report a power outage, residents are directed to contact the Orlando Utilities Commission at (407) 423-9018 or Duke Energy at (800) 228-8485. Additionally, utilities stresses that residents report and avoid contact with fallen power lines as the power lines could still be live and pose a safety hazard if contact is made. Furthermore, all regional water treatment facilities and the County’s drinking water system are operational and safe with no boil water advisories. Utilities is working on impacts of one water main break and multiple individual service line breaks that may be affecting customers in isolated areas.

This week, Orange County opened ten sites for residents to drop off storm debris: Barnett Park, 4801 W Colonial Dr.; Conway Water Treatment Plant, 4750 Manatee St.; Cypress Grove Park, 290 Holden Ave.; Fort Christmas Park, 1543 N Christmas Rd.; Harrell Road, 8503 Trevarthon Rd.; Meadowoods Park, 1751 Rhode Island Woods Cir; NW Water Treatment Plan, 701 W McCormick Rd.; Across from Eastern Regional Park, 9200 Curry Ford Rd.; West Beach Park Addition, 9303 Winter Garden Vineland Rd.; and West Orange Soccer Park, 150 Windemere Rd. Residents are permitted to only bring vegetative (trees/yard waste) storm debris to one of these locations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and will need to provide proof of Orange County address in order to gain access. Curbside debris pick up assistance for vegetative debris began on Thursday; residents are asked to separate vegetative debris from construction materials, household hazardous waste or large electrical goods when placed on the curb for pickup. Residents can refer to ocfl.net or call 311 for more information, and if they live in one of our cities, they should check with their city on their procedures for pickup plans and locations.

Orange County monitors and maintains almost 600 traffic signals. While more than 50% of traffic signals are out, the County asks residents to continue to follow the four-way stop procedure at traffic intersections. If residents have questions or need to report problems, they should contact the Orange County Traffic Management Center at (407) 836-7890 or the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency Complaint Line at (407) 836-4357 after 6:30 p.m. In addition, based on 311 calls and inspections, the County believes that all roads are passable; residents are directed to report any discoveries of tree limbs or roadways that are not passable to 311.

There is extensive flooding in the Orlo-Vista community, where Orange County Fire Rescue and National Guardsmen helped to rescue more than 135 evacuees and their pets. OCFR is currently encouraging residents who have chosen to stay behind to seek safety. Orange County continues to monitor developments related to the sinkhole in the Apopka Vineland and Colonial area.

In terms of building safety, the County is prepared to waive permitting fees applicable to individuals and businesses that need contractual repairs.

It is one of Orange County’s main goals to educate residents on how to recognize fraud and avoid becoming a victim to such a crime. When considering to hire a contractor, residents should do the following: Ask if the potential contractor has a valid license and insist that they have one; avoid door-to-door solicitors; ask for references, bonding, and insurance; make sure the contract can be broken if you don’t receive financing; and always hire a contractor with a real office, not just a post office box address. For more information on the Orange County Consumer Fraud Office and how to avoid becoming a victim to fraud, residents can call (407) 836-2490, 311, or email fraudhelp@sao9.org.

Hurricane Irma, Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson

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