The National Hurricane Center warns Milton poses a "extremely serious threat" to Florida with life-threatening impacts, and Osceola County is making final preparations ahead of a possible direct hit from the 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.
In Osceola County shelters are opening, sandbag distribution continues, and officials are working tirelessly to keep residents safe and informed.
A State of Local Emergency has been declared for all areas within Osceola County, and residents are encouraged to be in the place where they plan to ride out the storm by Tuesday evening.
Alerts
Our Citizen Information Center hotline (407-742-0000) opens Monday, October 7, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will operate 24 hours a day starting Tuesday at 8 a.m. Citizens that have specific questions or need to speak with an Osceola County representative may call this hotline.
Subscribe to emergency alerts at AlertOsceola.org or text “alertosceola” to 888777.
Sandbags
Sandbags are being distributed at the below locations:
Tuesday, October 8: Osceola Heritage Park
1211 Shakerag Road, Kissimmee FL 34744 - Open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (or until supplies run out)
Tuesday, October 8: Celebration Athletic & Recreation Complex
305 Campus St, Kissimmee, FL 34747 - Open from 7 a.m. until sandbags run out.
Supplies will be provided including bags and sand. Residents are allowed 25 sandbags per household and will need to bring their own shovel or filling tool. Supplies are limited, and sandbags will be available for filling on a first-come, first-served basis.
Solid Waste Collection
Tues (10/8) waste will be collected on its normal schedule.
There will be NO waste collection on Wed (10/9) and Thurs (10/10).
The Bass Road Yard Waste Disposal site and Kenansville Drop-off site will be closed Wed and Thurs.
Visit WMFloridaStorm.com for real-time updates regarding collection before, during, and after the storm.
Click here for information on where to take tree limbs, how to secure large waste items, and ensure your property is safe during a hurricane or storm.
Shelters
No evacuations are currently in effect for Osceola County. Residents in flood-prone areas or homes with structural concerns should prepare an evacuation plan.
The following shelters will open at 8 a.m. Wednesday, October 9.
Celebration High School - 1809 Celebration Blvd., Kissimmee, FL 34747
Gateway High School (Pet-Friendly) - 93 Panther Paws Trail, Kissimmee, FL 34744
Harmony High School (Pet-Friendly) - 3601 Arthur J. Gallagher Blvd., St. Cloud, FL 34771
Holopaw Community Center - 8801 Community Center Rd., St. Cloud, FL 34773
Kenansville Community Center - 1178 S Canoe Creek Rd., Kenansville, FL 34739
Kissimmee Middle School (Pet-Friendly) - 2410 Dyer Blvd., Kissimmee, FL 34741
Liberty High School (Pet-Friendly) - 4250 Pleasant Hill Rd., Kissimmee, FL 34746
Special Medical Needs Shelter
Opens 3 p.m. Tuesday (10/8): Osceola Council on Aging - 700 Generation Point, Kissimmee, FL 34744
If evacuating, first consider staying with family, friends, or in a hotel. Shelters are available but should be considered a last resort.
Bring items such as blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, books, quiet games, and battery-powered radios. Those on prescription medication are should bring adequate supplies with them. Please do not bring perishable food items. Food will be provided.
Closures
All Osceola County School District are Wednesday (10/9) and Thursday (10/10).
Osceola County, City of Kissimmee, and City of St. Cloud government offices and parks are Wednesday and Thursday.
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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