A tropical storm watch is in effect for Orange County as Florida’s Gulf Coast region braces for what is expected to become Hurricane Helene. The storm is expected to intensify and make landfall on Thursday in the Big Bend area. Tropical storm alerts were posted for several inland counties as coastal counties are under a hurricane watch.
The National Hurricane Center began issuing advisories on Monday with forecast models indicating a wide area of potential impact. Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency order for 41 counties, and while Orange County was not among them, tropical storm-force winds of 50-60 mph and heavy rain are expected to begin Wednesday night and continue into Thursday.
Higher-than-average rainfall has saturated the area in recent weeks and forced the closure of the Winter Park Chain of Lakes from September 9-16. Last year, the city adopted a new guide for the active management of its lake levels that uses seven-day forecasts for advanced preparation for potential storms. According to the guide, storm drain and well intakes on all landlocked lakes and canals within the city’s Chain of Lakes and Howell Creek are currently being inspected, and the city is coordinating the anticipated removal of fallen tree and debris clearance in creeks and conveyances.
In preparation for potential flooding, Winter Park residents can pick up sandbags at Rollins Softball Field parking lot, 452 Harper St. Distribution will begin today, Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 2 p.m. and run until 6 p.m. Sandbag distribution will continue tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. at the same location. There will be a limit of eight sandbags per resident or owners of businesses within the city limits, and proof of residency (driver’s license, valid ID or utility bill statement) is required.
Distribution will follow a fill-it-yourself model with city staff providing shovels, bags and sand on a first-come, first-served basis. Anyone physically unable to fill their own sandbags will be assisted by city staff. The distribution entrance will be from Harper Street with the exit at Comstock Avenue.
The list of official City of Winter Park 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
Updates will be posted as they are received.
