The National Hurricane Center warns Milton poses a "extremely serious threat" to Florida with life-threatening impacts, and Orange County is making preparations ahead of the monster storm.
Hurricane Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record, with the National Hurricane Center warning that Milton poses a "extremely serious threat" to Florida with life-threatening impacts.
The fear is that the storm could slam into the Tampa Bay area before tearing through the I-4 corridor with the potential to bring hurricane force winds and extreme flooding rain to the heavily populated Central Florida.
Orange County's Office of Emergency Management is monitoring Milton and making preparations for more than one million residents ahead of the storms impacts on the county.
SHELTERS
The following locations are open for individuals looking to shelter from the effects of Hurricane Milton. Locations include:
General Population Shelters Open Tuesday evening, Oct. 8, by 6 p.m.
Apopka High School*: 555 Martin Street, Apopka, FL 32712
Carver Middle School*: 4500 W. Columbia Street, Orlando, FL32811-4052
Colonial High School*: 6100 Oleander Drive, Orlando, FL 32807
Lake Buena Vista High School: 11305 Daryl Carter Parkway, Orlando, FL 32836
Lake Nona High School*: 12500 Narcoossee Road, Orlando, FL 32832
Oak Ridge High School: 700 W. Oak Ridge Road, Orlando, FL 32809
Ocoee High School: 1925 Ocoee Crown Point Parkway, Ocoee, FL 34761
Odyssey Middle School: 9290 Lee Vista Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32829
Timber Springs Middle School: 16001 Timber Park Lane, Orlando, FL 32828
Union Park Middle School*: 1844 Westfall Drive, Orlando, FL 32817
Wedgefield K-8: 3835 Bancroft Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32833
* Denotes Pet-Friendly Shelter
Persons with Special Needs (PSN) SheltersOpen Tuesday morning, Oct. 8, by 10 a.m.
Goldenrod Rec.: 4863 N. Goldenrod Road, Winter Park, FL 32792
Silver Star Rec.: 2801 N. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32818
South Econ Park: 3850 S. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, FL 32829
Orange County residents requiring a PSN Shelter please 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 AND LANDFILL
On Tuesday, Oct. 8, residents can bring excess yard waste from Hurricane Helene to the Orange County Landfill during regular operating hours. Residential yard waste fees will be waived. For more information, visit ocfl.net/WasteSites.
Any changes to operational hours for the Orange County Landfill, transfer stations, or curbside collections will be communicated to residents on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
BOIL WATER
A Precautionary Boil Water Advisory is still in effect for Old Cheney Highway, Lake Pickett and the Chuluota area in east Orange County. Boil water for at least one minute prior to consumption. If collecting water for use during or after Hurricane Milton, boil water prior to storage and use. An update will be issued on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
POWER OUTAGES
Utility companies are out securing the service area. Residents are asked to be prepared for prolonged power 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
SANDBAGS
Free self-service sandbags are available today, Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at six locations across the county. Individuals with special needs who need sandbag assistance should contact Orange County 311 by dialing 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111.
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.: 1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle, Orlando, FL 32824
West Orange Rec.: 309 S West Crown Point Road, Winter Garden, FL 34787
CLOSURES
Orange County Government: County offices are closed on Wednesday, Oct. 9, and Thursday, Oct. 10.
Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida: Courthouses are closed on Wednesday, Oct. 9, and Thursday, Oct. 10.
Orange County Public Schools: After-school activities are canceled on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Schools are closed on Wednesday, Oct. 9, and Thursday, Oct. 10.
LYNX: Regular LYNX transportation services will continue as scheduled until sustained winds reach 35 mph or flooding occurs. Starting 12 hours before winds are expected to reach 35 mph, ACCESS LYNX will only provide life-sustaining medical trips.
For additional storm preparedness information and to sign up for OC Alert, the county’s emergency alert system, visit www.ocfl.net/storm.
In Central Florida people are continuing to prepare for a potential direct hit from Hurricane Milton, theme parks and attractions are closing, including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, LEGOLAND Florida, The Orlando Eye, Gatorland and more.
Orlando International Airport is also closing, ceasing commercial operations at 9am on Wednesday, October 9.
Grocery stores are closing, including Publix with all Central Florida stores closing Tuesday, at 6pm, remaining closed until 6pm on Thursday.
As the situation becoming more dire, and Hurricane Milton continues to target Florida, state and local officials are warning residents that the time to prepare for the life-threatening storm is running out. Florida residents and visitors currently in the state should be finalizing preparations and action plans today,
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has already placed 51 of the state’s 67 counties under a State of Emergency, and on Monday, President Joe Biden approved the state’s pre-landfall emergency declaration request, which now authorizes the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate all disaster relief efforts and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures.
We urge you to stay informed and stay safe as Hurricane Milton targets Florida.
Closures & Updates:
Emergency Info:
School Closure:
Shelter Locations:
Sandbag Locations:
Theme Parks & Attractions:
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