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.
Orange County Sheriff's Office
All Orange County Sheriff's Office locations open to the public will now be closed Wednesday 10/9 AND Thursday 10/10 as Hurricane Milton impacts our area. But rest assured. Our deputies will continue to keep our residents and visitors safe.
If you need help, call 9-1-1, or our non-emergency line at 407-836-4357.
Weather Update
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, rainbands 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
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 ManorBonnie 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
The following locations are open for individuals looking to shelter from the effects of Hurricane Milton. Locations include:
General Population Shelters Now Open
Apopka High School*: 555 Martin St, Apopka, FL 32712
Carver Middle School *: 4500 W. Columbia Street, Orlando, FL32811-4052
Colonial High School*: 6100 Oleander Dr, Orlando, FL 32807
Lake Buena Vista High School: 11305 Daryl Carter Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32836
Lake Nona High School*: 12500 Narcoossee Rd, Orlando, FL 32832
Oak Ridge High School: 700 W. Oak Ridge Rd, Orlando, FL 32809
Ocoee High School: 1925 Ocoee Crown Point Pkwy, Ocoee, FL 34761
Odyssey Middle School*: 9290 Lee Vista Blvd, Orlando, FL 32829
Timber Springs Middle School: 16001 Timber Park Ln, Orlando, FL 32828
Union Park Middle School*: 1844 Westfall Dr, Orlando, FL 32817
Wedgefield K-8: 3835 Bancroft Blvd, Orlando, FL 32833
*Denotes Pet-Friendly Shelter
Persons with Special Needs Shelters Now Open
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
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.
The Orange County Landfill and transfer stations will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 9 and 10. These facilities will reopen when conditions are safe.
For more information, visit ocfl.net/WasteSites.
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
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:
School and district offices will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. Due to the timing and projected parth of the storm, schools will also be closed Friday, October 11.
District offices will reopen on Friday and 12-month employees need to be prepared to return to work at their regular time. If any issues arise please contact your immediate supervisor.
The return of 12-month employees on Friday will allow for more time to safely assess all schools and facilities after the storm has passed.
As a reminder, there will be no school on Monday, October 14 as it was already a designated student holiday, teacher workday.
OCPS will continue to communicate updates through phone calls, emails and text messages as well as on our district social media pages and on ocps.net.
Sandbags
Sandbag distribution has currently ended
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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