SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Emergency officials in Seminole County are urging families to prepare for Hurricane Milton’s arrival this week.
First responders invited our News 6 team inside the Emergency Operations Center Monday where their teams are already busy getting ready for the storm.
Emergency Alan Harris says people should be prepared for flooding, power outages, and debris.
“This does look like a Hurricane Charley for us, which was a Category 1 when it came over Seminole County. The difference between this one and Charley is this is a longer duration,” said Harris. “This one we’re going to have hurricane-force winds for quite a few hours potentially.”
[RELATED: Track Milton: Cone, models, more | TIMING: What to expect in Central Fla. | Sandbag locations | School, university closures | Tropical terms to know | Watches vs. warnings | Download the FREE News 6 hurricane app]
Government buildings will be closed, beyond emergency services, on Thursday and Friday.
Seminole County Public Schools will also be closed Wednesday and Thursday. The district says they will make a decision about Friday once they assess the damage and need for shelters after the storm.
On Monday, the emergency management team was busy loading gear and getting it ready to set up shelters once schools close. When the shelters open, there will be sites for special needs, animals, and the general population. Locations will be announced once the county is ready.
Crews have also been clearing out ditches and potential debris that could clog the stormwater system.
Chairman Jay Zembower addressed concerns about the creeks and rivers that are already at capacity or close to it and the recent rain.
“We are at historic groundwater levels already, and if we get, you know, an excessive rain event we’re going to have flooding,” said Zembower. “That’s why we have evacuation orders already drafted.”
Seminole County has already given out more than 40,000 sandbags in anticipation of Hurricane Milton’s arrival. There were long lines at the county’s free sandbag site near the Boombah Sports Complex in Sanford.
“We know it’s going to come up into the house, just how bad?” said Ronald Miller, who lives in Sanford. “Everything is going up on the beds. We’ll sleep on top of it.”
Thad Hawkes says he plans on placing sandbags around his garage, and windows and doors.
“Mainly areas that might be susceptible to some wind, and water being moved from the wind,” said Hawkes. “We’ve been through this a lot. We were here for the trifecta back in ‘04, Charley and Francis.”
Hawkes says he has family on the west coast of Florida who are finding other places to stay this week.
“We got some family that’s already dealing with some stuff from Helene. They’re going to stay with some family down in Delray,” said Hawkes. “[I] have some other family that are moving in with some other family over there. They’re taking precautions.”
Herb Castellini says his daughter in St. Pete is evacuating to the Orlando area. Castellini was filling sandbags for his neighbors when our News 6 crew met him Monday.
“She’s got a hotel in Orlando,” said Castellini.
Other information you need to know:
SANDBAG SITES
Find the latest sandbag information here.
SOLID WASTE
Regular garbage collections are scheduled for today and tomorrow (Tuesday), with Wednesday’s pickup still to be determined. If your yard waste or garbage has not been picked up and the curbside collection is canceled for Wednesday, please move anything not collected to a secure location until after the storm. Or drop off at the Landfill or Central Transfer Station, which will be open Tuesday.
SHELTERS
Shelters are on standby to open – this includes special needs, pet-friendly, and general population. Exact locations will be announced closer to opening. County shelters are last resort options – individuals are encouraged to shelter with friends and family as the first option. Register for special needs shelters at PrepareSeminole.org.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE:
Seminole County Fire Department and Seminole County Sheriff’s Office crews are ready to serve. Please do not call 9-1-1 for non-emergencies; call 407-665-0000. SCFD reminds residents to never use generators indoors.
STAY INFORMED:
Follow Seminole County on social media, visit PrepareSeminole.org, and text STORM2024 to 888-777 to register for storm alerts. Call 407-665-0000 for the Citizens Information Line.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: