SEMINOLE COUTNY, Fla. – Emergency Management is urging families in Seminole County to get prepared for Hurricane Helene as it heads toward Florida.
Wednesday afternoon, Director of Emergency Management Alan Harris gave an update from Wayside Park near Lake Monroe.
“We’ve been preparing for Hurricane Helene,” said Harris. “This massive storm that looks to encompass almost the entire state of Florida as it moves up into the panhandle and the Big Bend area.”
Harris expects Seminole County will feel the impact of Helene over the next couple of days.
“We are expecting tropical storm force winds and some rain,” said Harris.
[RELATED: CONE, MODELS, SATELLITE | COUNTY-BY-COUNTY impacts | Timing of Helene in Central Florida | COUNTY-BY-COUNTY: Sandbag locations | Here’s what the ‘dirty side’ of a storm means | DOWNLOAD: WKMG-TV free hurricane app]
The St. John’s River near Lake Monroe is already inches below the action stage from the summer storms a few weeks ago. The recent rain is a concern as Helene gets closer.
“This likely will bring us back into action stage, potentially minor flood,” said Harris. “All of our creeks, our tributaries, our lakes, our retention ponds are already full. So, there’s not a lot of capacity.”
Harris says since the ground is already saturated, it is possible trees will fall and damage buildings or block roadways.
“We’re not talking about limbs falling out of trees, we’re talking about trees falling,” said Harris. “The root structures of these trees are completely saturated. So, tropical storm force wind was the worst-case scenario.”
Seminole County Fire Chief Matt Kinley says his crews are ready to remove downed trees and clear roadways if necessary. The fire department also has two high-water vehicles on standby in anticipation of Helene’s arrival.
Our News 6 crew met Kimberly English at the Boombah Sports Complex where she was getting sandbags to protect her house in the Midway area.
“I’m just scared. I’m out here trying to get some sandbags because I don’t want my house to flood,” said English.
Two years ago, Hurricane Ian, the strongest storm to hit Florida since Hurricane Michael in 2018, caused historic flooding in Seminole County.
English said she is worried her home could flood again.
“Just get prepared. Get your water, get everything you need,” said English. “If you live in a low-lying area like Midway, like we get flooded out, make sure you get your sandbags.”
Harris says his team is watching the forecast and anticipates Seminole County could get several inches of rain.
“Even though the forecast was 10 to 12 inches for Hurricane Ian, we got 28 inches of rain, 26 to 28, inches in Winter Springs,” said Harris. “It all depends on where that squall lines up and how much rain we get.”
You can read the latest closures/cancellations and storm information in Seminole County by clicking here.
There are eight sites across Seminole County where residents can get sandbags:
County locations
- Boombah Sports Complex, 3325 Cameron Ave., Sanford 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Wednesday, September 25, (Unstaffed)
City locations (Please check with cities for the latest updates.)
- City of Altamonte Springs - Eastmonte Park 830 Magnolia Drive, Altamonte Springs 8 a.m.–7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25 (Unstaffed)
- City of Altamonte Springs - Westmonte Recreation Center 624 Bills Lane, Altamonte Springs 8 a.m.–7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25 (Unstaffed)
- City of Lake Mary - Lake Mary Sports Complex 550 Rantoul Lane, Lake Mary 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25 (Unstaffed)
- City of Longwood - Candyland Sports Complex 599 Longdale Ave, Longwood 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Wednesday, Sept.25 (Unstaffed)
- City of Oviedo - Public Works Maintenance Yard1725 Evans Street, Oviedo12 noon–7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25 (Crews on-site to assist)
- City of Sanford - Public Works Complex 800 W Fulton Street, Sanford 8 a.m.–7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25 (Unstaffed)
- City of Winter Springs - Central Winds Park 1000 Central Winds Drive, Winter Springs 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25 (Self-service; minimal staffing)