Hurricane Ian Live Updates: Tornado threat a concern in Central Florida [Orlando Sentinel]
Live updates will be posted here regarding impacts from Hurricane Ian to our region.
Check here for our hurricane preparedness stories to get ready for the storm. Get the latest updates on Hurricane Ian here.
First time homeowners fret over Ian |
"I'm really scared," she said.
A high school art teacher, Ramirez is on the state-run
"That's basically every penny I have," she said.
Ramirez is worried that there are other conditions in her policy that might cost her even more, but she's afraid to look and see what the damage might be.
"I'm at the point now where, I don't know, should I check my policy or do I not want to [be afraid]?" she said.
The house was built in the 1960s and it got a new roof seven years ago, so Ramirez, 37, said she's not worried the house can't take the wind. However, she's seen trees in her neighborhood knocked over by regular thunderstorms.
"My biggest concern is I have trees surrounding my whole house," she said. "Every room in my house has a window."
Actor
"It's been through a lot of crap, so hopefully it can make it through this," Pinder, 55, said.
Built in 1981, the house made it through Charley and Irma, but all of that was before it belonged to the Pinder's. Pinder said he has neighbors currently looking after the home.
"But they also have their own homes to look after," he said, "and they won't be able to go over until it's safe again."
Pinder doesn't know his deductible offhand, but he said he's confident in his policy from
"It's not one of the crap ones, I know that," he said. "It's not Citizens."
Trash, yard waste and recycling pick-up operating as usual |
Trash, yard waste and recycling pick-up are operating as usual in
Such debris can clog storm drains and contribute to flooding.
City officials have also begun lowering lake levels at several lakes, which takes about two days to complete. Water levels will be lowered as much as 12 inches, according to a news release.
Residents can report downed trees, traffic light outages, power outages and other damage to the Citizen Information Line at, 407-246-HELP(4357).
Residents can make free sandbags at Orange County Parks |
County residents wanting sandbags to hold off flood waters can make them for free at one of five
The sites are:
Residents who require special needs or medical shelter to contact authorities |
People with hearing disabilities can start a chat online by visiting ocfl.net/311.
Tornadoes will be a risk in
The
Tropical-storm-force winds would likely arrive in the
"Flooding rain is also going to be a big hazard for
More
The
The
SunRail service will stop Tuesday |
Suspension of the commuter rail operations through
The
Restarting service depends on track conditions and the amount of time required to return gates and trains to operable conditions.
Amtrak and freight trains also use SunRail's corridor, which extends from
County emergency officials will call for an evacuation of certain residents after announcing the opening of those shelters late today or early tomorrow.
"The evacuation will be for those in low lying areas, flood-prone areas and individuals in manufactured and mobile homes, those are our most vulnerable individuals, as well as our special needs clients," said
"If you're told to evacuate and choose to stay, you will be on your own," he said.
Sheriff Dennis Lemma urged residents to stay off the roads as much as possible during the hurricane's passing, warning that trees can fall and hit vehicles.
If Hurricane Ian does not directly hit
"Even if we don't get a direct hit, it will still be a flooding event," Harris said. "Over the last few weeks we have received an incredible amount of rain. And those residents that live along the
County officials said
Counties order evacuations |
Text Gov.
Residents can plug in their addresses at floridadisaster.org/planprepare to find out what zone they're in.
"Again, there's no need to panic," DeSantis said.
"Everybody needs to take this seriously," Perkins said, urging visitors to also make plans to leave.
Attorney General
She also said price gouging measures are in effect and will take action against anyone who takes advantage of the hurricane.
Past hurricanes tore down cell phone towers, leaving people without a means of communicating, he said.
"Have a communications plan that doesn't rely on cell phones or WiFi," Guthrie said.
Kissimmee utility in alert mode |
The
Once the storm passes KUA crews will assess damage which could be hampered by flooding, downed trees, or high winds, the utility provider said in a news release. KUA will focus on main power lines then restore individual customer outages, according to the release.
Customers experiencing a power outage are asked to report by texting "out" to 877-582-7700 and view a real-time outage map at https://kissimmee.datacapable.com/map/.
KUA asks customers to prepare by turning refrigerators and freezers to their coldest settings while keeping the door closed, disconnect sensitive electrical equipment in the event of a surge when power is restored, turn off all pumps and filters of swimming pools and if evacuating shut off main power to your home's main circuit breaker to avoid fires caused by rising waters.
In the event of a power outage, KUA recommends using flashlights instead of candles or kerosene lamps, follow manufacturer recommendations when using generators and place them at least 20 feet away from your home, plug appliances directly into the generator while turning your electricity off at the fuse box and turn off the generator before turning your house power back on.
KUA urges residents not to touch fallen or low-hanging wires, anything the wires may be in contact with and to stay away from puddles where downed lines have landed.
"We have things like generators, chainsaws and extra water, and we'll be out there," he said. "Obviously we'll have people out there 24 hours a day, but there will be additional personnel, more than usual."
The sheriff encouraged residents to prepare now for the coming storm.
"
He urged residents to be looking out for their neighbors, too.
"If you see something, say something,"
Dyer wants
Hurricane Charley rapidly gained strength into a Category 4 storm when it made landfall near
"They should be assuming that we're going to take a hit from a Category 1 hurricane directly like Charley, and be prepared the same way - if they were - for Charley," Dyer said. "This is really the height of hurricane season so get prepared for this one and you'll be prepared for the rest of the season."
FSU monitors Ian for Saturday football game vs.
As No. 23
"Nothing has changed right now in terms of the
The latest projection has the storm making landfall in
Coach
"We are prepping for this game. We will have plans in place in case anything does happen," Norvell said.
Orange County Public Safety Director
"We know from some past storms, there were some [places] in the state that had trouble attending to the needs of their seniors. We're intent to not let that happen in
He said firefighters would visit every nursing home in the county to make sure their emergency generators are operational if their main power sources are knocked out.
About 28,000 people 65 years of age or older were in care facilities which lost power in
A 2020 study by researchers at the
The study was prompted by heat-related deaths of 12 residents at a
"Things have changed significantly from yesterday. The storm has moved back east, but it is alternating between the east and west tracks. It is forecasted to intensify," he said.
"We, of course, are making preparations for the opening of shelters, especially those involving people with special needs. That decision will be made in consultation with our school district and local
Flood prevention has been ongoing in
"We test them all the time, you know, probably about once every two weeks," he said of pump stations. "But before a storm, we definitely make sure we go out and check on them ... We're preparing all year long to be honest with you. That's what we do. All year long we're actually doing maintenance so we're ready for storms, as ready as we can be."
He said crews also have been inspecting 95 miles of canals and 75 dry wells to prevent flooding when the rain falls.
Charles said he has been checking to make sure automated pump stations are functional and "will start running when we need them to."
"They're set to come on even if we're not out here in the middle of the night," he said. "We test them all the time, you know, probably about once every two weeks, but before a storm, we definitely make sure we go out and check on them."
Who has disaster plans, who will shelter in place? |
Few Floridians over 45 have a disaster emergency plan, at the same time more plan to shelter in place, according to a recent survey from
Only 67% said they have a plan this years ear, down from 75% in 2019, the survey showed. The drop is even greater among homeowners, the survey said, from 71% to 55% overall.
"With a State of Emergency declared in all 67 counties as Hurricane Ian barrels toward
The survey also shows an increase from 55% to 61% in plans to shelter in place instead of evacuating,
Check evacuation zones and school closures |
Need to know if you are in a potential evacuation zone? Go to Floridadisaster.org/planprepare and click on the link for "Know your zone, know your home." Type in your home address to see if it's in one of the six evacuation zones.
"Evacuations are at the local level,"
To find out what school districts are closing schools, go to FLDOE.org/storminfo.
How to keep ahead of insurance claims |
Still putting your insurance policy in a plastic bag in the dishwasher before the a storm?
First, make sure you know who handles both your homeowner's insurance and your flood insurance.
Once you've identified the companies, save the contact information for filing a claim in your phone. "Make sure you have that number," Ruiz said.
Also on your phone, save any online links your company has for where to file a claim, or download the company's app if it has one.
Review your policies, know what the coverage amounts are, especially the total replacement costs.
Take pictures of your house and possessions before the storm to more readily demonstrate damage if there is any.
And if you have to evacuate or if damages force you to leave the property, keep receipts for where you go and what you spend. "The first coverage often times is additional living expenses," Ruiz said.
For more information, the institute offers a preparedness guide here: https://www.iii.org/sites/default/files/docs/pdf/triple-i_state_of_the_risk_hurricanes_06222022.pdf
State can't fulfill all requests from counties for aid before Ian |
Not all the requests for aid from county emergency management officials are going to be met before Hurricane Ian hits
"We're not going to get them to the counties before landfall," Guthrie said.
Those requests are typically for water and food, but the counties have no place to store them. "We are not going to leave a semi-trailer in a parking lot with 110-120 mph winds. That is the discrepancy between the number of missions we have filled and the number we are responding to."
Residents are asked to take proper storm precautions such as filling sandbags and signing up for emergency alerts through the county's email and text alert system at http://alertosceola.org/. Weather conditions could include heavy winds, rain and flooding with the possibility of tornadoes.
Also in
Rollins college announced that it will close its
"Based on the most recent models, Hurricane Ian is expected to have a significant impact on our area. Given this information, campus will close at
"Classes are scheduled for today and tomorrow, but we know that students have begun traveling and have asked that faculty be flexible and accommodating regarding this week's classes. Wednesday classes will not meet in person, but will still be held. Instructors will reach out with makeup class approaches that will vary from class to class. Students should look for a message from their faculty member about how they will make up the class."
DeSantis: Get prepared for Ian now |
Gov.
"I encourage Floridians to ensure they are prepared and that their emergency kit is stocked with supplies," DeSantis said.
The storm is expected to make landfall somewhere along the
"Floridians up and down the gulf coast should feel the impact of this as up to 36 hours before actual landfall due to the size of the hurricane."
All eyes are on the
With Ian upgraded to hurricane status,
The state is also staging 210 medical professionals in
He will be holding another news conference at
Early prescription refills available under state of emergency |
Floridians are entitled to at least a 30-day supply of any prescription medication, covered by insurance, even if the prescription has just been filled, according to a Monday news release from the
The department recommends Floridians prepare for the possibility pharmacies are temporarily unavailable.
Section 252.358 of the Florida Statutes says early refills must be covered and pharmacies must fill them provided:
"(1) The person seeking the prescription medication refill resides in a county that:
(a) Is under a hurricane warning issued by the
(b) Is declared to be under a state of emergency in an executive order issued by the Governor; or
(c) Has activated its emergency operations center and its emergency management plan."
This waiver is extended until the
Otherwise, refills can be requested up to 30 days after the resident's county becomes eligible, and this time period can be extended in 15- or 30-day increments by emergency orders issued by the
Evacuations ordered in
According to the
"This is not a drill," said
The
Shelters, Wise said, "are not comfortable places. They could be noisy. They could be crowded."
Neighboring Pinnellas county is expected to issue its own evacuation order Tuesday, but is urging residents and visitors to leave the area today.
State says to report any price gouging ahead of Ian |
Floridians shopping for gasoline, lumber, ice and other essentials ahead of Hurricane Ian can report price gouging to the state.
Attorney General
Price gouging carries a
"Please watch Ian closely, and as you prepare for a potential storm strike, report incidences of price gouging to my office," Moody said in the release.
"We're closely monitoring the status of Hurricane Ian to identify the potential extent of impact to airport operations," OIA said on Twitter. "The airport is currently open and operational. Please check with your airline directly in regards to their operations for the most up-to-date flight information."
Orlando Sentinel Staff
Rosen hotels offer lower rates for Hurricane Ian evacuees |
"Recognizing the severe nature of Hurricane Ian,
The rates will be
The Rosen hotels say they are pet friendly. For more information, call 866-337-6736.
Orlando Sentinel Staff
In preparation for the possibility of many
In a notice emailed to parents on Sunday, the district said:
"We are providing this information early so that you can prepare but please understand, this is subject to change once we know more about the storm's path and timing," the email to parents reads. "These plans are tentative."
Other school districts in
Orlando Sentinel Staff
In an effort to "Clear the Shelter" before potential impacts of Ian, all pet adoptions starting today are only
"Come check out all of the animals at www.seminolecountypets.com, or during adoption hours of Monday - Saturday
Orlando Sentinel Staff
Governor to speak from
Gov.
He'll appear from
Additional sandbag sites to open Monday in
Beginning at
Animal Services in
The Citizens Information Line will open Monday at
Superintendent Dr.
Also within
"I'm grateful that our Emergency Management team has been preparing for any impacts to the County from Ian, and we have been working closely with all of our community partners to be ready for the week ahead,"
Residents who need to speak with an
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