The City of Orlando and Orange County is in the second day of rescue, recovery, and assessment after Hurricane Ian. Orange County Fire Rescue crews have performed more than 1,700 rescues since the storm began, and many of these rescues were in life-threatening situations with submerged cars, raging waters, and flooded homes.
Orange County was added to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance for Florida. This authorizes FEMA to provide individual assistance for residents of Orange County.
Homeowners and renters around Orlando who were affected by Hurricane Ian may apply for FEMA disaster assistance online, by calling 800-621-3362 from 7am to 11pm, or by using the FEMA mobile app. Residents may be eligible to receive assistance for uninsured and underinsured damage and losses resulting from the storm. According to the City of Orlando, residents needing tarps to cover roof damage are encouraged to request fiber-reinforced sheeting for their home from the federal government through the Operation Blue Roof program.
The local power companies have been working around the clock to restore electricity to homes and businesses. As of this morning, OUC is reporting just under 7,000 customers without power and anticipate restoration by midnight tonight. Duke Energy has 65,000 customers without power and expects restoration by midnight Sunday night. Both companies state there may be a few homes that have heavy flooding that may take longer to restore as they make damage assessments.
Residential curbside collection in unincorporated Orange County resumes on Monday, October 3rd. There will be delays expected with yard waste collection during this extremely busy time. We appreciate everyone’s patience as our crews work hard to get everything back to normal. Residential trash and recycling collection in the City of Orlando will also resume its normal schedule Monday, October 3rd. Residents who did not receive service this past Wednesday – Friday due to the storm will be serviced next week on their regularly scheduled days.
Orange County Building Assessment teams have performed more than 12,000 inspections of homes and buildings looking for storm damage. The majority of those inspections have shown the buildings safe for habitability.
Orange County issued an advisory for all lakes and rivers until further notice. Public boat ramps under the control of Orange County are currently closed. Please refrain from any recreational activity in the waters and refrain from any contact with water bodies. This advisory is expected to be in effect for at least one week. Lake Eola Park is still experiencing high water levels but the walkway surrounding the lake is cleared and the playground and restrooms are open on the west side of the park. There will be no Farmers Market at Lake Eola Park on Sunday, October 2nd.
Orange County shelters are still assisting residents, with more people arriving overnight. There are currently 200 people staying in 4 different shelters. This afternoon those people will be bussed to the Renaissance Community Center on Econlockhatchee Trail which will be operated by the American Red Cross in concert with the Salvation Army. Orange County Community and Family Services are working with community support centers and volunteers to provide food and water distribution stations in the hardest hit areas of the County. The distribution locations will focus on the flood-stricken areas to assist residents in this difficult time.
The City of Orlando Citizen Information Line – 407-246- HELP (4357) – remains open and operational. Residents are encouraged to call this line to report damage, downed trees, traffic lights that are out and to get information from the city on response efforts.
In the City of Orlando, the following Neighborhood Centers and Recreation facilities reopened today, Saturday, October 1st: Beardall; College Park; Jackson Center; Orlando Tennis Center; Dover Shores; Engelwood; Orlando Skate Park; Northwest; Rosemont; Smith Center. The following centers remain closed: Delaney Park and L. Claudia Allen, Hankins Park, Lake Fairview Park and Grand Ave Neighborhood Center. The following Neighborhood Centers and Recreation facilities will resume normal operations on Monday, October 3rd: Rock Lake; Ivey Lane; Colonialtown; Reeves Terrace; Citrus Square; Wadeview. Other centers will be opened as they are deemed to be safe for operation.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Ian. Survey responses will allow the state of Florida to expedite Hurricane Ian recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of affected businesses. Businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian to complete the Business Damage Assessment Survey.
OCPS will also remained closed on Monday, October 3rd and will temporarily relocate one elementary school.
