Hurricane Milton: Assessing the Damage and Taking a Break on Park Ave.

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For the second time in two weeks, Winter Park residents and business owners found themselves checking their properties after a major storm.

Hurricane Milton made landfall at Siesta Key on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 9:30 p.m as a Category 3 storm, and maintained most of its strength as it plowed along the I4 Corridor. Approximately 84 tornado watches were triggered throughout Central Florida as wind gusts of more than 80 mph were recorded throughout the night. The region was also drenched with 8-12 inches of water from torrential rains that lasted for hours.

According to the City of Winter Park, crews began assessments Thursday morning and residents are asked to limit travel as some hazards to pedestrians and drivers may remain. At Milton’s peak, there were 275 Winter Park Electric Utility customers without power and restoration efforts are ongoing. Approximately 203 customers were without power as of 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

One of several broken tree limbs sits in Central Park on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 10, as daylight reveals the damage left by Hurricane Milton.
The safety fence tarp is missing but the seven oak trees at the Seven Oaks Park site remain in place.
Park Avenue’s Briar Patch seemed undamaged as hopeful diners stopped by to find it had not yet opened for service.

Flooding was reported by MLK Park, and flooding at Stirling Avenue and College Point caused the roads to be closed to traffic. Alabama Drive is also flooded with an overflowing lift station. All city lakes are closed due to possible contamination and water samples are being tested.

But as official announcements were sent and safety checks were under way, doors were opening along Park Avenue as the community started coming together.

Tatiana Schwartz prepares to greet customers at Kathmandu but Thomas Allen was already open for business next door at Poochology.

“We were closed yesterday but it looks like there are people coming out today,” said Tatiana Schwartz, manager of Kathmandu/Tribalasia boutique at 352 N. Park Ave. Schwartz stopped by at noon to check for storm-related issues. “We had a little damage,” she said as the last of the debris was cleared from beneath a small opening in the ceiling, “but we’re ready to open for whoever comes out looking for a break from the storm.”

Next door, Poochology manager Thomas Allen was already open for business and speaking with customers. “We closed at 6 p.m. Tuesday but we’ve been open since 10 this morning and people have been walking in,” he said.

Shoppers weren’t the only ones looking to get outside after a night of hunkering down.
Signs of Milton remained as some businesses remained closed and secured.

Diners sipped coffee and enjoyed a late breakfast at Croissant Gourmet while work crews removed a downed tree limb from a canopy at 312 Center Street. But Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour was empty as boats bobbed in flooded slips. A voice message states that business will be halted until at least October 17.

Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour will be closed until October 17, according to the office voice message. Winter Park lakes are closed during to flooding and possible contamination.
Work crews were on the scene of a damaged canopy at 312 Center Street.
Sections of a downed tree limb were being removed and mulched.
Business as usual on the morning after a hurricane.

Official updates will be posted to the City of Winer Park website and social media accounts. And while nobody wants to hear it, hurricane season does not end until November 30. Residents are advised to keep emergency supplies handy in case of another storm warning or advisory.

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