Orange County Community Resources

(Last updated: August 29th at 1120am)

*Latest Update from County Mayor Jerry L. Demings (On August 28th at 1pm)*

Watch the full conference on Vimeo. For emergency updates, visit ocfl.net/Idalia.

Orange County Government’s Office of Emergency Management is closely monitoring the path of Tropical Storm Idalia. Orange County is currently under a Tropical Storm Watch. Possible hazards to East Central Florida, during late Tuesday through early Wednesday, which includes:

  • 35-45% chance for tropical storm force winds at 25-35 mph, as well as gusts at 45-55 mph

  • Heavy rain of 2-3 inches, with possibility of 4-5 inches in localized areas

  • Possible isolated tornadoes

Local leaders urge residents to be prepared for all storm events.

SANDBAGS

In preparation for rain, the county opened its free, self-service sandbag program at select parks. Residents will receive 10 unfilled sandbags per household and will need to bring their own shovel or filling tool.

Sites will operate today, Monday, Aug. 28, from 12 to 7 p.m., and Tuesday, Aug. 29, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., pending severe weather. For questions or information for residents with special needs, please dial 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111.

Florida’s 2023 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is in effect. Qualifying disaster preparedness supplies are exempt from tax until Friday, September 8, 2023.

Important Sandbag Information 

Información Importante Acerca de Los Sacos de Arena

SHELTERS

Shelters in Orange County will open tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 29, by 1pm, for individuals needing to evacuate or seek shelter from Tropical Storm Idalia. ID cards are not required to enter shelters. All shelters are pet friendly.

General Population Shelters

  • Barnett Park

  • South Econ Recreation Center

Shelters for Individuals with Special/Medical Needs (*for Orange County residents requiring a Special Needs/Medical Shelter please dial 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111)

  • Silver Star Recreation Center

  • Goldenrod Recreation Center

Visit ocfl.net/shelters for important information on what to bring with you to a shelter.

ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

OCPS will send messages to parents by phone and update the website and social media pages regarding any impact to school operations. Parents, please make sure your child’s school has the correct contact numbers and email addresses on file for ConnectOrange calls and emails.


Schools will be closed on Wednesday, August 30th. 


For more information, visit https://www.ocps.net/cms/One.aspx?portalId=54703&pageId=1889079 


Resources for parents: 

Hurricane Safety Guide (Orange County)
2023-24 OCPS School Year Calendar
Natural Disasters: Brief Facts and Tips (National Assn. of School Psychologists)

COUNTY PREPARATIONS

Orange County Fire Rescue: Crews are canvassing nursing homes, assisted living facilities and mobile-home parks to ensure emergency plans are in place.

Orange County Public Works: Pumps, drain lines, generators for traffic singles, as well as areas prone to flooding have been assessed for potential storm activity.

Orange County Utilities: Pump Stations, water reclamation and other operational facilities are being monitored to ensure power and maximum water storage is available. Solid waste pickup, transfer station services and the landfill are operating as normal. Staff will be monitoring weather activity for Tuesday and Wednesday operations.

LYNX: Bus operations continue today. LYNX will be monitoring weather activity for Tuesday and Wednesday operations. (golynx.com)

Courts: Business operations continue today and Tuesday. The courts will be monitoring weather activity for Wednesday operations. (ninthcircuit.org) (myorangeclerk.com)

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For additional storm preparedness information and to sign up for OC Alert, the county’s emergency alert system, visit www.ocfl.net/storm.

—

GENERAL RESOURCES

Below are hurricane resources from the National Weather Service and Florida’s Division of Emergency Management on what to do before, during and after the storm. Big thanks to our friends at Florida For All for pulling most of this together during last year’s hurricane season. 

BEFORE THE STORM  

See instructions below from the National Weather Service. 

  • Know your zone: Do you live near the Gulf or Atlantic Coasts? Find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation area by contacting your local government/emergency management office or by checking the evacuation site website.

  • Put Together an Emergency Kit: Put together a basic emergency kit. Check emergency equipment, such as flashlights, generators and storm shutters.

  • Write or review your Family Emergency Plan: Before an emergency happens, sit down with your family or close friends and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go, and what you will do in an emergency. Keep a copy of this plan in your emergency supplies kit or another safe place where you can access it in the event of a disaster. Start at the Ready.Gov emergency plan webpage.

  • Review Your Insurance Policies: Review your insurance policies to ensure that you have adequate coverage for your home and personal property.

  • Understand NWS forecast products, especially the meaning of NWS watches and warnings.

  • Preparation tips for your home from the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes

  • Preparation Tips for those with Chronic Illnesses

DURING THE STORM 

See instructions below from the National Weather Service. 

  • Secure your home: Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8 inch exterior grade or marine plywood, built to fit, and ready to install. Buy supplies before the hurricane season rather than waiting for the pre-storm rush.

  • Stayed tuned in: Check the websites of your local National Weather Service office and local government/emergency management office. Find out what type of emergencies could occur and how you should respond. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or other radio or TV stations for the latest storm news.

  • Follow instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if ordered!

  • If NOT ordered to evacuate:

    • Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level during the storm. Put as many walls between you and the outside as you can.

    • Stay away from windows, skylights, and glass doors.

    • If the eye of the storm passes over your area, there will be a short period of calm, but at the other side of the eye, the wind speed rapidly increases to hurricane force winds coming from the opposite direction.

AFTER THE STORM 

See instructions below from the National Weather Service. 

  • Continue listening to a NOAA Weather Radio or the local news for the latest updates.

  • If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.

  • Once home, drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges. If you must go out, watch for fallen objects in the road, downed electrical wires, and weakened walls, bridges, roads, and sidewalks that might collapse.

  • Walk carefully around the outside of your home to check for loose power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage.

  • Stay out of any building if you smell gas, if floodwaters remain around the building, and if the building or home was damaged by fire, or if the authorities have not declared it safe.

  • Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the leading causes of death after storms in areas dealing with power outages. Never use a portable generator inside your home or garage. Review generator safety.

  • Use battery-powered flashlights. Do NOT use candles. Turn on your flashlight before entering a vacated building. The battery could produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present.

Sites and Accounts to Follow:

https://www.floridadisaster.org/

National Hurricane Site Website | Social

Florida Disaster Site County Emergency Management | Shelters by County | Know Your Evacuation Zone | Social

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