Central Florida is bracing for a major weather event as Tropical Storm Idalia is forecast to reach hurricane status before making landfall during the early morning hours of Wednesday, Aug. 30.
The projected path of the storm suggests landfall could occur between Tampa and Tallahassee. Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 46 counties including Seminole, Lake and Volusia. While Orange County is not currently included, residents are advised to make necessary preparations as the course and strength of the storm can change.
The City of Winter Park will be staging sandbag distributions at Rollins Softball Field parking lot, 452 Harper St., on Monday, Aug. 28, from 2-6 p.m., and Tuesday, Aug. 29, from 8 a.m. to noon. Residents are asked to enter the site via Harper Street.
The distribution will follow a fill-it-yourself model with bags and sand available on a first-come, first-served basis. City staff will be available to assist those in need. Distribution will continue while supplies last with a limit of eight bags per resident. Owners of businesses located within the city limits can also pick up sandbags with the same eight bag limit for each business. Please bring proof of residency in the form of a driver’s license, valid ID or utility bill statement.
The list of official city information resources is as follows:
- citEnews email service – cityofwinterpark.org/citEnews
- Facebook – facebook.com/WinterParkEmergencyInfo
- Twitter – twitter.com/WinterParkFla
- Nextdoor – sign up at nextdoor.com
- City’s emergency alert system – sign up at cityofwinterpark.org/outreach.
Other resources include:
- Non-emergency information line 407-599-3494 (live during Emergency Operation Center activation)
- Report electric utility power outages to 1-877-811-8700
- Report water & wastewater utilities outages to 407-599-3219