Evening Update: From The Orange County Office of Emergency Management
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.
For Hurricane Matthew updates, visit here.
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 disturbed 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:
Water and food
Clothing and bedding
Personal items, medication
First-aid supplies
Important papers
Miscellaneous items like games, toys, battery-powered radios, flashlights and batteries
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 here.
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 here 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.
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