Hurricane Dorian: How Central Florida is preparing for the storm’s arrival
As Hurricane Dorian spins toward
Public safety officials cautioned
“We really don’t know what will be our most damning area,” said
Banks said all county departments are preparing for the storm, notably in Public Works, whose crews have worked overtime to clear storm-water drainage systems.
He said rain brings flooding, but wind can topple trees and power lines.
The county’s focus won’t be wasted even if Dorian veers in a direction away from
“Regardless of our preparations, we know that we’re going to have to respond afterwards,” said Banks, formerly the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s top executive in
He said the county has “solid" contracts in place with Crowder Gulf and Ashbritt, two of the largest debris-removal companies.
Some debris sat on curbs for months after Hurricane Irma in 2017 as contractors were pulled to other hurricane-ravaged areas in
Banks said Orange County’s
Level 1 is full-scale, 24/7 activation.
“For now, preparedness is the biggest thing,” Banks said.
He urged residents not to wait until Saturday or Sunday, when the storm’s path is more defined and its potential impact more clear, to prepare.
“Then might be too late," Banks said, noting bottled water, nonperishable foods and other necessities become scarce quickly in stores.
While the county promoted tree-trimming at the beginning of the storm season to protect homes, Banks discouraged the strategy now.
“The problem is right now, three or four days before the storm, is not the greatest time to try and thin a tree canopy,” Banks said.
He said dead limbs and other tree trimmings can’t be left at the curbside because they could be picked up and hurled by the storm.
Residents “can only put it out there if they know there’s going to be a pickup between now and the storm’s arrival,” he said.
If not, they have to be haul it away themselves or pay someone to do it.
If your street has been swamped by rain in the past, you should try to flood-proof your home, laying down sand bags at doorways to keep flood waters outside.
Irma dumped nearly 10 inches of rain in a 24-hour period in 2017 on Orlo Vista, a working-class community about five miles west of downtown
The deluge overwhelmed pumps and three nearby retention ponds, which overflowed and forced the evacuation of 500 homes.
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