Orange County under Hurricane Warning

Orange County has released an update on Hurricane Milton:

The National Weather Service has placed Orange County under a Hurricane Warning. Milton’s latest track shows that damaging hurricane conditions are increasingly likely in Orange County.

Beginning tomorrow morning, rain bands will increase over Orange County and continue throughout the day. After sunset, there is a potential to feel tropical storm-force winds.

From Wednesday night through Thursday,

• Wind gusts in excess of 74 miles per hour.
• The potential for 6 to 12 inches of rain

Follow the National Weather Service or local news station for the latest weather updates.

FLOODING RISK

The National Hurricane Center forecasts that Orange County will experience 6 to 12 inches of rain from Wednesday through Thursday, with the northern and western parts of Orange County receiving the heavier rainfall. Due to the risk of heavy rains and potential flooding, residents in flood-prone areas are advised to stay updated on weather alerts and have evacuation plans if necessary.

Areas at High Risk of Flooding:

• Locations that experienced flooding during Hurricane Irma or Hurricane Ian.
• Any area within a FEMA 100-year floodplain
• Areas with historic flooding from tropical systems, including:

• • Orlo Vista / Westside Manor
  • Bonnie Brook neighborhood
  • Rio Pinar neighborhood and surrounding areas
  • Near the intersection of Rouse Road and Buck Road
  • Four Corners area (Avalon Road/Arrowhead Boulevard)
  • Lower areas in northern and western Orange County

Action Steps:

• Stay Informed: Follow weather updates and forecasts through local news or the National Hurricane Center.
• Prepare to Evacuate: If you live in one of the areas listed or know your property is prone to flooding, consider sheltering with family or friends living outside these areas. Multiple shelters are also open across the County.
• Protect Property: Clear storm drains, elevate valuables, and consider sandbagging in low-lying areas.

SHELTERS

Shelters for Persons with Special Needs (PSN) are open, and general population shelters will open by 6 p.m. this evening. IDs are not required to enter a shelter. Households in flood-prone areas or mobile home structures should consider sheltering with family or friends living outside of these areas.

General Population

• Apopka High School (pet friendly)
• Carver Middle School (pet friendly)
• Colonial High School (pet friendly)
• Lake Buena Vista High School
• Lake Nona High School (pet friendly)
• Oak Ridge High School
• Ocoee High School
• Odyssey Middle School
• Timber Springs Middle School
• Union Park Middle School (pet friendly)
• Wedgefield K-8 School

Persons with Special Needs

• Freedom High School (pet friendly) (Open Wednesday, Oct. 9 by 8 a.m.)
• Goldenrod Recreation Center (pet friendly)
• Silver Star Recreation Center (pet friendly)
• South Econ Recreation Center (pet friendly)

Orange County residents requiring a PSN Shelter should dial 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111. LYNX will provide free service to shelter locations. For important information on what to bring to a shelter, visit ocfl.net/shelters.

GARBAGE COLLECTION

Orange County Utilities is suspending all curbside garbage collection services on Wednesday, Oct. 9, and Thursday, Oct. 10.

Garbage collection will resume Friday, Oct. 11, and Saturday, Oct. 12. At that time, only residential garbage in the green lid carts will be collected. Other regular collection services will resume on Monday, Oct. 14. Any customers who have items out at the end of today should secure those items inside or near a structure until after the storm passes.

Additionally, the landfill and transfer stations will be closed to the public. Those facilities will reopen when conditions are safe.

For more information, visit www.ocfl.net/WasteSites.