2.6 million in Florida remain without power

Live updates will likely be posted right here relating to the impacts of Hurricane Ian on our area.

As Hurricane Ian leaves the state, 2.6 million individuals had been without power as of Thursday night, in line with poweroutage.us.

The majority of these outages had been in southwest Florida the place the storm made landfall Wednesday afternoon. Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier Thursday described the realm, significantly Charlotte and Lee counties, as “off the grid.” Charlotte has 112,000 of 127,000 prospects out whereas Lee has 412,000 prospects out of the 471,000. In Collier County, 196,000 out of out of the 262,000 prospects are out.

As far as Central Florida:

Orange: About 209,000 out of 603,000 prospects are without power.

Osceola: 19,000 out of 200,000

Polk: 162,000 out of 305,000

Seminole: 131,000 out of 225,000.

Lake: 30,000 out of 169,000

Volusia: 247,000 out of 312,000

Brevard: 92,000 out of 330,000

David Harris

Hurricane Ian has regained its power over the Atlantic because the storm was as soon as once more upgraded to Category 1 hurricane through the National Hurricane Center’s 5 p.m. replace.

Although the storm has moved offshore from Central Florida, the NHC suggested that major-to-record river flooding will proceed throughout parts of central Florida, together with the Little Wekiva River, which is already inflicting substantial space flooding and isn’t anticipated to crest till Sunday.

A storm surge warning stays in impact for the St. Johns River and the NHC advises that hurricane situations could proceed into tonight for northeastern Florida.

Hurricane Ian is presently situated 240 miles south of Charleston, S.C., with most sustained winds of 75 MPH.

Gatorland’s car parking zone is flooded and an alarm goes off on the entrance entrance.

Legoland Florida in Winter Haven can even remain closed by way of Friday due to Hurricane Ian, the resort mentioned Thursday. The resort will permit visitors with tickets dated Wednesday, Sept. 28 by way of Sunday, Oct. 2 to redeem the tickets on one other date by way of the top of the yr.

Legoland famous that its name heart places of work are briefly closed as employees shelters from the storm, however visitors can rebook their journeys as soon as the places of work reopen.

The resort follows SeaWorld and Busch Gardens in extending its hurricane-related closure.

— Katie Rice

The National Guard is rescuing individuals stranded by Hurricane Ian’s floodwaters in the Pebble Pointe neighborhood in Kissimmee.

Residents left their houses with pets and rubbish baggage full of garments and different belongings.

Roger Levenson, 66, escaped with a birdcage and his two birds, Lucky and Bugsy. The National Guard gave them a journey out in a big truck.

“This is a mess,” he mentioned as he waited for his brother to select him up.

Erika Marquez held her two shivering chihuahuas. She and her husband had simply reworked their kitchen, just for it to be ruined by Ian.

“It is really bad,” Marquez mentioned. “Someone was kayaking.”

Marquez and Levenson mentioned the water was about ankle-deep in their houses, and many individuals in the neighborhood had flood injury.

— Skyler Swisher

Hollerbach’s German Restaurant, an anchor of downtown Sanford’s enterprise district, posted photographs of its storm-damaged restaurant and close by Magnolia Square Market Thursday afternoon with a plea to native residents for help.

“If anyone is able and willing, we could use your help clearing our dining room of flood water,” the publish learn. “..[R]emember, do not put yourself in harm’s way to aid us.”

Photos confirmed chairs stacked on tables above flooded sections of the restaurant’s indoor eating room. At the close by Magnolia Square Market across the nook, sections of ceiling panels and fallen merchandise lay on the shop’s flooring.

Eric Koffsky, Hollerbach’s advertising and marketing director, mentioned 15 to twenty individuals had proven up on the restaurant to assist clear up by 3:45 p.m. The crowd was a mixture of workers and anxious residents, he mentioned.

“The community came through in a big way,” he mentioned.

—Katie Rice

Jeff Blostein mentioned he anticipated some flooding however “nothing major” as he traveled from South Florida to journey out Hurricane Ian along with his 20-year-old daughter at her Arden Villas residence close to UCF.

“We were more worried about the wind,” the 51-year-old from Coconut Creek mentioned.

When he wakened early Thursday morning, the water degree was “pretty significant” however not too dangerous, he mentioned. But because the day continued, the flood waters elevated quickly right into a “horrific” scene, Blostein mentioned.

“The entire complex is underwater — and I’m not overstating that,” he mentioned. “I’ve really never seen anything like it. Just about every car is either submerged or past the doors.”

Blostein, who’s staying on the third flooring, mentioned flats on the primary flooring have been flooded and a lake on the complicated has breached.

Blostein mentioned he waded out into the floods to verify on his automotive however stopped when the water obtained too deep.

“There were a bunch of kids doing the same thing, trying desperately to save their cars,” he mentioned.

Blostein mentioned he has not gone again to verify on his automotive, however he thinks it’s doubtless a loss.

“My gut feeling is it’s probably not going to be good, so it’s upsetting, but as long as we’re safe, that’s the most important thing,” he mentioned.

For now, Blostein and his daughter are protected in the residence on the third flooring, with power and sufficient provides to final a couple of days, he mentioned. Blostein mentioned he has not seen regulation enforcement making an attempt to make rescues on the residence complicated but.

“We’re gonna stay put and hopefully the water at some point will start receding, he said. “If it doesn’t, then we may have to consider a rescue option.”

Seminole County officers urged residents to stay inside and off the roads as flood situations persist in elements of the county and responders work to clear particles from roads and help these in want.

Over 167 houses and counting are affected by “historic” flooding, county Emergency Manager Alan Harris mentioned, and responders are seeing flooding happen in unprecedented areas.

“Several roadways are washed out, so again, we are encouraging people to not travel if you do not have to,” he mentioned, together with State Road 46 close to Interstate 4. “Turn around, don’t drown.”

Various neighborhoods throughout the county have skilled flooding, together with Lincoln Heights in Sanford, Spring Oaks alongside the Little Wekiva River in Altamonte Springs and Mockingbird Lane in Winter Springs.

Deputies, firefighters, EMTs and members of the National Guard are actively rescuing individuals from flooded areas, he mentioned.

Sheriff Dennis Lemma mentioned the Sheriff’s Office has misplaced round 10 automobiles on account of flooding or falling particles. Flooding situations “will be around for some time” as river ranges enhance with water runoff, he mentioned.

Crews have cleared about 750,000 cubic yards of particles from Seminole County, which is about “9 ¼ Spaceship Earths,” Harris mentioned, referencing the massive journey construction at Disney’s Epcot. Debris cleanup will doubtless take “weeks and months,” he added.

The county continues to be working to revive power to residents and utilities. Around 115,000 individuals had been without power throughout Seminole County as of two p.m., practically 60 visitors indicators had been out and a few water utility elevate stations had been nonetheless operating on generator power, Harris mentioned.

The county is consolidating two storm shelters, these at Lake Mary High School and Lawton Chiles Middle School, to neighboring shelters. “Plenty of capacity” continues to be obtainable at remaining shelters, Harris mentioned. A full record of open shelters is obtainable at prepareseminole.org. Despite the shelters’ consolidation, they nonetheless have “plenty of capacity” and are ready to welcome new individuals looking for assist, Harris mentioned.

County Fire Chief Matt Kinley mentioned firefighters and EMTs have responded to flooding calls throughout the county, together with in Little Wekiva, Altamonte Springs, Winter Springs and Lake Harney.

Personnel evacuated over 65 individuals from the Hacienda Village space in Winter Springs and 18 individuals from Spring Oaks in Altamonte Springs alone, he mentioned.

This morning, the hearth division rescued a household of three and their three pets after a tree fell on their house in the Wekiva space, Kinley mentioned. Photos posted by the fire department present 3 to 4 toes of water pooling on Little Wekiva Road round midday Thursday.

Kinley cautioned residents to remain inside, as the hearth division has seen individuals trapped by fallen timber.

“This will be a slow and steady recovery from this event,” Kinley mentioned. “Please continue to be patient, be smart with your actions and stay safe.”

— Katie Rice

Disney will reopen its theme parks and Disney Springs in a “phased approach” beginning Friday because it sees climate situations enhance, the resort mentioned Thursday afternoon. Disney is anticipated to announce these modified working hours later Thursday at disneyworld.com/weather.

“We thank our first responders and community leaders for their courageous efforts in preparing for and managing the storm’s impact. To our cast members in Florida and in South Carolina, thank you for selflessly taking care of our guests,” the resort mentioned in a press release.

Disney additionally plans to assist hurricane aid efforts in Florida. Details of that assist will likely be launched at a later time.

— Katie Rice

At a news convention in Punta Gorda Thursday, Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis mentioned his workplace will arrange an “insurance village” in Southwest Florida for individuals to get a speedy response from their insurance coverage carriers.

“We have a preliminary site set up, and we will have 20-25 carriers, start writing checks for living expenses then sign up for adjusters to check the damage,” Patronis mentioned.

Patronis warned individuals about predatory contractors who could come knocking.

“They’re going to come in like a bunch of locusts,” Patronis mentioned.

People ought to first name their agent, their service or his company to arrange a declare, and in addition to report any unscrupulous or suspicious contractors.

Flooding is widespread in Osceola County, and rescues are underway, mentioned Andrew Sullivan, a spokesman for Osceola County Fire Rescue.

At a 55-and-up neighborhood in Kissimmee, first responders used an airboat to rescue individuals who had been trapped in knee-to-waist deep floodwaters.

The airboat ferried two residents utilizing a walker and their two canines to dry floor. About 1,300 individuals dwell at Good Samaritan Society’s Kissimmee Village, which is weak to flooding.

It’s unknown how many individuals didn’t evacuate, however deputies provided everybody an opportunity to depart, Sullivan mentioned.

All the assisted-living residents who’re probably the most weak evacuated, he mentioned.

Ian produced unprecedented flooding in Osceola County, Sullivan mentioned.

“It is widespread, and it is at levels we have not seen before in my time here and many other people’s time here,” he mentioned.

County officers are requesting state and federal help. The National Guard is staging at Silver Spurs Arena.

Two hospitals had been pressured to divert sufferers due to flooding, Sullivan mentioned.

FPL CEO Eric Silagy mentioned his firm has 20,000 of the 42,000 crews restoring power to the areas hit by Hurricane Ian.

“We have 1.2 million without power and got 700,000 restored before the storm even left the state. We did not lose one single transmission tower, that is great.”

FPL is getting substations struck by particles again on-line however mentioned different areas could be a very long time earlier than the infrastructure is rebuilt. “We have some sections close to our territory on the beach that will require rebuilding. Some businesses won’t be able to safely take the power once it’s ready.”

Universal Orlando is conducting detailed inspections across the resort to evaluate storm injury, the resort mentioned Thursday afternoon.

“Our thoughts go out to all those impacted by Hurricane Ian and we stand ready to help our community recover,” Universal mentioned in a press release.

The resort has not launched updates on its plan to reopen Friday.

Areas subsequent to Universal appeared to expertise main flooding as Hurricane Ian handed close by Thursday morning. Video taken by Spectrum News 13 reporter Jeff Allen confirmed standing water a number of toes deep on the DoubleTree by Hilton resort close to the doorway to Universal. Footage posted to Twitter by Spectrum reporter Jerry Hume confirmed the westbound lanes of I-4 Express flooding at Kirkman Road close to Universal round 7:45 a.m.

It is unclear what injury Universal’s theme parks could have sustained in the storm. Photos posted to social media present a gap torn in paneling on the aspect of a present constructing for Jurassic Park River Adventure on the Islands of Adventure theme park, however Universal spokespeople haven’t confirmed the injury.

— Katie Rice

The City of Kissimmee will implement a compulsory curfew starting Thursday from 9 p.m. to six a.m. with an exception for important personnel and those who have to journey to and from work, Kissimmee City Manager Mike Steigerwald mentioned at a press convention Thursday afternoon.

“We are currently in the process of sheltering individuals rescued,” Steigerwald mentioned. “Our units are currently working quickly to get assistance to those within the impacted neighborhoods.”

The areas hardest hit by flood waters and the place many of the rescues are going down are north Kissimmee, alongside Central Avenue, Columbia Avenue corridors the place the town ditch is situated, the Woodside Neighborhood in the western aspect of Kissimmee, Emory Canal neighborhood close to Osceola High School and alongside Shingle Creek.

“Part of the issues we’ve been having is just the extreme amount of water that has been dumped in a very short period of time in the Kissimmee area,” Steigerwald mentioned. “Having the assets necessary to get into those areas has proven to be a bit of a challenge but as I said earlier our resources and partners have been made available.”

The City of Kissimmee has partnered with native county police and fireplace rescue and has obtained high-water rescue tools and extra ambulances, Steigerwald mentioned.

“If you are in those areas impacted and you have called 9-1-1 we have you on our list,” Steigerwald mentioned. “We’re working through that list as best we can.”

Around 100 individuals have been rescued thus far in the City of Kissimmee with 17 further individuals having been taken to native hospitals with non-life-threatening accidents, mentioned Melissa Zayas-Moreno, Kissimmee spokesperson.

“We want people to please stay in place as we have extensive flooding,” Kissimmee Mayor Olga Gonzalez mentioned.

Also in Kissimmee, Good Samaritan Village, a 55-plus neighborhood close to Shingle Creek may have its power turned off on account of huge flooding in the realm, Osceola County Office of Emergency Management mentioned in a tweet. Residents who have to be evacuated ought to name 407-742-9102 pr 407-742-9105.

— Natalia Jaramillo

Orange County officers mentioned Thursday afternoon that fireside rescues crews carried out water rescues in 12 neighborhoods throughout the county.

The National Guard is deploying 6 highwater vans to a few fireplace stations – Nos. 30, 51 and 80 – to assist with evacuations.

As of 9 a.m. Thursday morning, greater than 200,000 households in Orange County are without power. “All utility companies in the area, Duke, OUC, and Winter Park Utilities, continue to assess the situation and are working fast to get those homes up and running again,” the county news launch mentioned.

Chris Suto mentioned his girlfriend woke him up about 4 a.m. Thursday when she heard “bubbling noises.” The bed room of their College Park house was filling with water that was already ankle deep.

Their yard was flooded and their wood-frame home, constructed in 1949, was filling with water, which was coming in from the sliders in addition to by way of the partitions, Suto mentioned.

They woke their two roommates, put electronics and different valuables up excessive and tried to combat again the water.

“We had brooms and just started sweeping, which was pointless in the beginning because it was just flooding too fast,” he mentioned.

He considered leaving and driving to a resort or his mother and father’ apartment in Longwood, however when he regarded exterior the flood water on Golfview Street was midway up his automotive’s door.

Eventually, the water began to recede and by late morning they’d handle to dry out a lot of the home. “We were working pretty hard this morning sweeping and drying,” he mentioned. “I’m not sure what the damage is,” Suto mentioned, however he filed an insurance coverage declare already. “It’s been a long day, that’s for sure,” he added.

When the rain let up later Thursday, he and his roommates walked to close by Lake Adair, which had overflown its banks in a number of locations, flooded a piece of Edgewater Drive and, he mentioned, appeared to be flowing into close by Lake Concord. The part of Edgewater Drive between the lakes, close to Lake Adair Boulevard, was coated with water that was practically waist deep. “It’s not something I would guess would happen,” he added.

Leslie Postal

Universal Orlando is conducting detailed inspections across the resort to evaluate storm injury, the resort mentioned Thursday afternoon.

“Our thoughts go out to all those impacted by Hurricane Ian and we stand ready to help our community recover,” Universal mentioned in a press release.

The resort has not launched updates on its plan to reopen Friday.

Areas subsequent to Universal appeared to expertise main flooding as Hurricane Ian handed close by Thursday morning. Video taken by Spectrum News 13 reporter Jeff Allen confirmed standing water a number of toes deep on the DoubleTree by Hilton resort close to the doorway to Universal. Footage posted to Twitter by Spectrum reporter Jerry Hume confirmed the westbound lanes of I-4 Express flooding at Kirkman Road close to Universal round 7:45 a.m.

It is unclear what injury Universal’s theme parks could have sustained in the storm. Photos posted to social media present a gap torn in paneling on the aspect of a present constructing for Jurassic Park River Adventure on the Islands of Adventure theme park, however Universal spokespeople haven’t commented on the injury.

Katie Rice

Across Osceola County, many roads are impassable on account of main flooding.

• In St. Cloud, Old Canoe Creek Road and Neptune Road intersection is closed.
• The intersection at Old Canoe Creek Road and Natchez Trace Drive is closed.
• seventeenth Street and Budlinger Avenue intersection is closed.
• Pine Lake Drive and Cypress Court intersection is closed.
• seventeenth avenue and Orange Avenue intersection can also be closed.
• Lillian Lee Road is closed.

Osceola County continues to be in the early phases of assessing the extent of flooding all through the county and serving to these in want of help, Osceola County spokesperson Mark Pino mentioned in an e-mail.

Road accessibility will likely be depending on climate, hydrology of the realm and present infrastructure, Pino mentioned.

The worst of Hurricane Ian has handed Orange County, mayor Jerry Demings mentioned, however tropical-storm-force winds are anticipated to linger till about 1 a.m. Friday, he mentioned in a news convention Thursday.

Demings and Sheriff John Mina urged individuals to remain house on account of vital flooding, downed power strains and timber blocking roads. But he so far hasn’t issued a curfew.

“We are cautiously optimistic the worst of the storm has passed,” Demings mentioned. “That means it’s not time for our residents to re-engage with normal social activities…we’re asking you to stay put at this time. Stay home.”

The county fireplace division and regulation enforcement have rescued about 30 individuals from the Hope Circle space of Orlo Vista, a low-laying flood-prone space close to Kirkman Road, 5 miles west of Downtown Orlando.

About 200,000 prospects of the Orlando Utilities Commission and Duke Energy are without power, however all prospects of OUC and Orange County Utilities have water service, he mentioned.

Orange County Utilities Manager Ed Torres requested residents to restrict water utilization to restrict pressure on wastewater techniques. If drains again up, he mentioned to name 311 so crews will be dispatched.

Damage assessments are starting this afternoon by county public works employees in West Orange, as winds are anticipated to be calmer. On Friday, if winds die down on the east aspect, crews will assess these areas, mentioned Diana Almodovar, the deputy public works director.

Demings mentioned sustained winds remain between 30 mph and 40 mph, with increased gusts. Average rainfall in the county has been between 8 inches and 12 inches, although some areas have been doused with 16 inches thus far.

— Ryan Gillespie

Neighborhoods all through Osceola County have reported heavy flooding for the reason that arrival of Hurricane Ian, with some streets blocked off whereas first responders conduct rescue efforts.

Video taken by a reporter at Spectrum News 13, the Orlando Sentinel’s news companion, exhibits Kissimmee firefighters serving to dozens of residents escape their flooded houses with their pets and belongings.

County regulation enforcement businesses and different officers encourage individuals to remain off the roads because the storm continues to move. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office and the Kissimmee and St. Cloud police departments haven’t mentioned what number of emergency calls they’ve responded to thus far nor have they reported any accidents.

— Cristobal Reyes

Walt Disney World deployed crews to evaluate storm injury at its theme parks and resort Thursday morning. The resort beforehand introduced it could shut Wednesday and Thursday due to the hurricane.

“We are thinking of our neighbors across Florida,” the resort mentioned in a press release. “We will get through this together and will be there to help our cast members and community.”

Disney’s lodges remain closed to new visitors till 3 p.m. Friday. A resort spokesperson mentioned Wednesday afternoon the lodges had been at capability and workers had been staying on-site to help visitors.

Certain eating places at resort lodges are closed Thursday. A full record is obtainable on Disney’s website.

Unite Here Local 737, the union that represents Disney’s resort and restaurant staff, mentioned Disney is paying staff who had shifts scheduled through the storm closure and misplaced these hours.

— Katie Rice

EM Director Kevin Guthrie mentioned that is the beginning of their 72-hour clock, the place they search first, safe second and stabilize third.

Guthrie mentioned the division has obtained over 1,500 requests for sources from county businesses and is filling or in the method of filling 1,300 of these.

Additionally, 300 truckloads of meals and provides are prepared to maneuver out proper now and the state is deploying over 100 cellular mobile phone towers to areas without mobile phone service.

Guthrie additionally mentioned Central Florida logistics staging areas have all of the provides wanted to reply and assist individuals, together with tarps and medical provides.

Guthrie mentioned DEM has obtained over 15,000 inputs to the shelter-in-place survey and inspired anybody sheltering-in-place or is aware of of somebody sheltering-in-place to register at floridadisaster.org/report.

“That is not a replacement for 911,” Guthrie mentioned. “If you need assistance, call 911 in your local area.”

Those 911 calls will help rescue crews find the individuals most in want of help, he mentioned.

— Jeffrey Schweers

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office warned residents Thursday morning to keep away from a number of flooded roadways in the east and southeast areas of the county.

The following intersections are flooded:

• Pershing Avenue and Glen Village Court
• Palm Creek Avenue and Curry Ford Road
• East Colonial Drive and Taylor Creek Road
• Conway Road and Judge Road to Hoffner Avenue

“Please, if you don’t need to evacuate your home due to rising flood waters, stay off the roads,” the company mentioned on social media.

— Monivette Cordeiro

In Sanford, significantly close to downtown and Lake Monroe, residences and companies had been threatened by the hurricane’s excessive winds and flooding early Thursday. High winds continued to pummel the realm into the late morning.

Reporter Amanda McKenzie with FOX 35 shared a photograph of 1st Street in downtown Sanford flooded by rain round 4:30 a.m.

WKMG-TV reported the storm crumpled an awning exterior St. Johns River Steak & Seafood close to the marina. Restaurant homeowners didn’t reply to a message left earlier than the restaurant’s scheduled opening.

Many companies close to downtown Sanford remain closed by way of Thursday and are slated to reopen early Friday.

City officers warned residents may have to limit toilet flushing if widespread power outages impacted sewer utilities. Power outages and uprooted timber might additionally interrupt water and sewer providers and trigger the town to concern a precautionary boil water discover. The metropolis requested locals to monitor its website and watch the news for additional utility information.

The Lake Mary Police Department asked residents to remain indoors Thursday morning on account of flooding and particles blocking space roads.

In Altamonte Springs, an emergency government order limited speed limits on certain roads, together with Central Parkway and Cranes Roost Boulevard, to five mph on account of extreme flooding. The full record of affected roads is available at this link.

–Katie Rice

Seminole County officers have ordered residents to make no wake after they drive by way of water-covered roads and made a request to not take motorized boats on roads.

Alan Harris, chief administrator for the Office of Emergency Management, was anticipated to signal an order that required no wake on roadways.

“No wake. Typically when we talk about wake, we talk about waterways and other areas but we have had problems in the past with people flying through roadways, shooting up wakes in people’s yards, on their mailboxes and potentially doing damage. It is incredibly dangerous to do that so there will be an executive order here in Seminole County that does not allow driving up and down the road through water to throw a wake on other areas,” mentioned Sheriff Dennis Lemma.

The order doesn’t specify a quotation quantity, solely that it’s “punishable by the maximum fines and penalties authorized by State law for the violation of a County Ordinance.”

Not taking motorized boats on roadways was a security announcement by the sheriff, in line with a county spokesperson.

Carolyn Guniss

Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office had been rescuing individuals and animals in the Orlo Vista neighborhood from “waist-deep” floodwaters utilizing high-water rescue automobiles, the company mentioned on social media.

“If you need to be evacuated, step out of your front door,” the workplace’s emergency response staff introduced on a loudspeaker in the west Orange County neighborhood, in line with a video shared by OCSO.

Monivette Cordeiro

Volusia County officers mentioned they’ve their first fatality from Hurricane Ian.

They mentioned a 74-year-old man went out through the storm to attempt to drain his pool and died.

They are emphasizing individuals have to remain off roads and that bridges to seashores are nonetheless closed.

They expect sustained tropical storm pressure winds for the subsequent six hours and tropical storm-forces gusts till tomorrow.

Sheriff Michael Chitwood mentioned the county is “seeing historic flooding.”

“I am imploring you to stay off the roads,” he mentioned.

A county-wide curfew will remain in place till 7 a.m. tomorrow.

In Sanford, significantly close to downtown and Lake Monroe, residences and companies had been threatened by the hurricane’s excessive winds and flooding early Thursday. High winds continued to pummel the realm linto the late morning.

Reporter Amanda McKenzie with FOX 35 shared a photograph of 1st Street in downtown Sanford flooded by rain round 4:30 a.m.

WKMG-TV reported the storm crumpled an awning exterior St. Johns River Steak & Seafood close to the marina. Restaurant homeowners didn’t reply to a message left earlier than the restaurant’s scheduled opening.

Many companies close to downtown Sanford remain closed by way of Thursday and are slated to reopen early Friday.

City officers warned residents may have to limit toilet flushing if widespread power outages impacted sewer utilities. Power outages and uprooted timber might additionally interrupt water and sewer providers and trigger the town to concern a precautionary boil water discover. The metropolis requested locals to monitor its website and watch the news for additional utility information.

The Lake Mary Police Department asked residents to remain indoors Thursday morning on account of flooding and particles blocking space roads.

In Altamonte Springs, an emergency government order limited speed limits on certain roads, together with Central Parkway and Cranes Roost Boulevard, to five mph on account of extreme flooding. The full record of affected roads is available at this link.

Katie Rice

The Florida Disaster Fund has raised $1.6 million thus far “because the people across state and country have stepped up big,” First Lady Caseyn DeSantis mentioned.

She mentioned the state’s personal fund can even attempt to take away any purple tape and forms to get that cash to individuals in want instantly. “Thanks… for stepping up to help wonderful people in need,” she mentioned.

Jeffrey Schweers

Seminole County officers have ordered residents to make no wake after they drive by way of water-covered roads and made a request to not take motorized boats on roads.

Alan Harris, chief administrator for the Office of Emergency Management, was anticipated to signal an order that required no wake on roadways.

“No wake. Typically when we talk about wake, we talk about waterways and other areas but we have had problems in the past with people flying through roadways, shooting up wakes in people’s yards, on their mailboxes and potentially doing damage. It is incredibly dangerous to do that so there will be an executive order here in Seminole County that does not allow driving up and down the road through water to throw a wake on other areas,” mentioned Sheriff Dennis Lemma.

The order doesn’t specify a quotation quantity, solely that it’s “punishable by the maximum fines and penalties authorized by State law for the violation of a County Ordinance.”

Not taking motorized boats on roadways was a security announcement by the sheriff, in line with a county spokesperson.

Carolyn D. Guniss

In Winter Springs, Amanda Trompeta and Dimitrios Frantzis woke as much as sounds of their small canine barking at 5 a.m. to seek out water had begun flooding their house.

“I thought he was just scared of the storm and when I stood up I realized the water was ankle deep,” Trompeta mentioned.

The water stored rising and by 6:20 a.m. water in their house began lifting up furnishings and even their fridge.

The couple mentioned they really feel very stranded and unhappy. It’s their first home, and so they have a marriage lower than three weeks away. While not harm, they mentioned they had been afraid of the rising water.

Trompeta mentioned they referred to as for emergency assist at 6 a.m. however had been informed they couldn’t help at the moment. Later dispatch mentioned assist would come, however the native emergency response couldn’t attain them.

“The fire rescue lady called me at 8:06 a.m. to let me know they tried to reach us but they can’t,” she mentioned. “So now they’re waiting for military help.”

Amanda Rabines

Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office had been rescuing individuals and animals in the Orlo Vista neighborhood from “waist-deep” floodwaters utilizing high-water rescue automobiles, the company mentioned on social media.

“If you need to be evacuated, step out of your front door,” the workplace’s emergency response staff introduced on a loudspeaker in the west Orange County neighborhood, in line with a video shared by OCSO.

Monivette Cordeiro

As quickly as that storm handed, first responders descended on southwest Florida, rescue missions on barrier islands, Florida guard on the bottom collaborating in efforts.

Search and recuse groups performing rescue efforts, beginning with these barrier islands and these operations are ongoing. There are 28 massive largely chinooks between National Guard and Coast guard, and extra air property will likely be introduced in because the day goes on. Officials are additionally working with hospitals in a single day, evacuating, and offering mills.

There are greater than 2.2 million power outages, however there may very well be the next affect exterior southwest Florida. In the seven counties, there are greater than 1.5 million outages, with Lee and Charlotte County primarily off the grid.

Alligator Alley and most of I-75 are open and flowing. Areas of Lee County are nonetheless iffy.

In Seminole County, residents obtained a number of in a single day alerts beginning round 3:15 a.m. warning them to remain inside on account of potential flash flooding. These alerts remained in impact till 10:15 a.m.

At a Thursday morning press conference, Emergency Manager Alan Harris warned residents of “unprecedented, historic flooding” in the realm, together with in Altamonte Springs, Geneva, Lake Mary, Heathrow, Wekiva, Winter Springs and different areas.

The Little Wekiva River noticed historic water ranges, he added, and tributaries of the St. Johns River have additionally elevated on account of rainfall.

First responders have deployed flood terrain automobiles to flooded areas, and the National Guard is deploying 10 automobiles from its staging space in Sanford to help residents as wanted.

Seminole County Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Blake mentioned the hearth division obtained 250 calls to 911 in a single day associated to downed power strains, fireplace alarms and automotive accidents. The division is delaying responses to non-emergency calls to prioritize emergencies.

Residents ought to keep off the roads until they’re frontline responders to the hurricane, Harris mentioned. Drivers ought to deal with each intersection as a four-way cease in the event that they should journey since “dozens” of visitors indicators are out county-wide.

Around 80,000 Seminole County residents had been without power round 7:30 a.m. Thursday. Utilities suppliers had been getting ready to deploy staff as quickly because it was protected to reply, Harris mentioned.

Some residents could have seen interruptions to water utilities as choose elevate stations had been utilizing generator power early Thursday.

Harris requested residents to report storm injury to Seminole County’s damage reporting portal at prepareseminole.org.

“These damage collection numbers will help us to get assistance much quicker to those that may need it,” he mentioned.

Katie Rice

Faced with historic flooding alongside the Little Wekiva River and Geneva, Seminole County is teaming with the Florida National Guard in rescuing people with 10 all-terrain vans.

“Along the Little Wekiva, we are at an historic point. It’s never been like this before in recorded history,” mentioned Alan Harris, director of Seminole’s workplace of emergency administration.Seminole County Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Blake Thursday made an attraction to residents to remain off the roads as Tropical Storm Ian brought on flash flooding of houses and roads and downing timber and street indicators.Blake mentioned his staff has rescued individuals stranded in their automobiles and houses in Winter Springs, Geneva and the Little Wekiva River space.” — Martin Comas and Carolyn Guniss

Carolyn D. Guniss

State Emergency administration director Kevin Guthrie mentioned he obtained a name from the Orange County emergency administration director. They had been actively responding to 9 widespread areas alongside the Colonial Drive space, I-4 and State Road 436, so property already in place in Central Florida had been deployed to assist.

“Very quickly this morning, our overnight crew sprung into action and started moving National Guard high-water vehicles, as well as other assets that were staged there for Urban Search and Rescue elements with water elements and they, started moving into action this morning,” he mentioned.

He mentioned the rescue efforts had been because of the huge rain that led to lakes and rivers rising as a lot as 4 toes inside a matter of hours.

“It appears that these lakes were filling up and overflowing into the neighborhoods around them,” he mentioned.

Guthrie warned individuals in Central Florida and in the devastation on the Gulf Coast to remain out of the realm.

“Do not come in and tour the area for damage,” he mentioned noting they’ve as many as 30,000 responders coming into the broken areas that want precedence entry to the roads. “Stay at home. Do not get on the road. Let the first responders have the roadways. Let the power crews have the roadways. We will get things open up exponentially quicker if we don’t have to maneuver around individuals that are just coming into area to look around. … Let the crews get in there do they need to do? We’re coming in full force. We’ve got a lot of people coming in there. We need you out of our way so we get our job done.”

Richard Tribou

Orange County Fire Rescue evacuated the Avante at Orlando nursing house off north Semoran Boulevard Thursday morning on account of rising floodwaters attributable to Hurricane Ian.

The division shared movies on social media of first responders transporting residents on stretchers by way of excessive floods.

OCFR additionally mentioned first responders had been conducting water rescues in boats of residents in the Rio Pinar neighborhood.

Monivette Cordeiro

Winter Park has issued a curfew till at the very least 5 p.m., which permits solely public security and important staff on the streets. The curfew may very well be prolonged relying on climate situations later in the day.

City officers additionally warn that downed power strains may very well be in standing water and be harmful and that residents ought to remain indoors.

Natalia Jaramillo

Lake County officers helped ten households by the St. Johns River relocate Wednesday evening after speedy flooding, WESH 2 reported. The evacuation was a preventative measure, County officers informed WESH. They mentioned they fear that emergency crews gained’t be capable of reply due to quickly rising waters.

The county informed WESH officers suggested two different households to depart who determined to remain.

Since Wednesday, the St. Johns River has risen by six inches, WESH reported. Just six inches extra would flood many houses and companies alongside the river, in line with the National Weather Service.

WESH reported that as flooding continues, the climate is sending alligators and snakes out of swamps into areas they aren’t usually seen, Lake County’s fireplace chief. A ten-foot alligator was seen swimming in St. Johns River Wednesday night, mentioned WESH.

Lake County Emergency Management on Twitter shared as of Wednesday night, greater than 860 residents, practically 90 with particular wants, and 116 pets had been staying on the county’s shelters.

Lake County Emergency Management informed residents to shelter in place and mentioned the county’s Disaster Response Team will quickly start assessing injury.

Caroline Catherman

Osceola County is now mobilizing sources to residents after winds turned too harmful late Wednesday for crews to reply.

Late Wednesday the town of Kissimmee tweeted that first responders, together with police and fireplace rescue might not reply to calls on account of excessive winds.

“We know you need help,” mentioned Bill Litton, Osceola County Emergency Management Director at a press convention Thursday morning. “Please stay safe as extensive flooding is an issue affecting our community currently.”

Litton once more urged residents to not go away their houses until it was an emergency and to be affected person as crews dispatch to help any Osceola County residents.

“If you’re trapped and have an emergency please call 9-1-1,” Litton mentioned.

Downed power strains are harmful, Litton pressured and requested residents to keep away from power strains and shuffle toes to securely transfer away.

Kissimmee Utility Authority reported 14,995 prospects without power, in line with a tweet by KUA Thursday morning.

After ceasing operations late Wednesday on account of harmful winds, in an early morning tweet on Thursday, KUA mentioned they’re nonetheless not mobilizing as climate situations are nonetheless too harmful for crews.

The metropolis of St.Cloud tweeted late Wednesday that many visitors indicators throughout the metropolis are without power and requested residents to deal with all intersections with downed visitors lights as four-way-stops.

In Kissimmee, very early Thursday noticed many metropolis streets flooded in line with movies posted to Twitter by WFTV and feedback by Osceola County.

“Folks, we are in the midst of the most catastrophic flooding events in the history of the city of Kissimmee,” Kissimmee City Manager, Mike Steigerwald mentioned at a Thursday morning press convention. “I’m not telling you that to alarm you but it’s just the facts.”

Many sections of the town are impassable on account of flooding and now could be a harmful time to be exterior, Steigerwald mentioned.

“Primarily on the westside, we have areas that are experiencing catastrophic flooding,” Steigerwald mentioned. “Many residents are in need of rescue and assistance.”

Kissimmee is bringing high-water rescue automobiles to help residents who’re trapped, Steigerwald mentioned.

Steigerwald requested these in want of evacuation to name 9-1-1.

In north Kissimmee, many residences are without power on account of a number of toes of water and harmful downed power strains, Steigerwald mentioned.

To report downed power strains name Kissimmee Utility Authority at 407-933-9800 or to report harmful downed power strains name 9-1-1.

Natalia Jaramillo

Florida’s Turnpike is closed in each instructions from mile markers 254 by way of 267 in Orange County on account of vital flooding, in line with the Florida Highway Patrol. The northbound and southbound lanes in this space will remain closed till the storm passes and the flooding subsides.

Richard Tribou

Social media is inundated with photographs and movies of injury from Tropical Storm Ian.

Twitter consumer @johnrich mentioned he obtained a photograph of a cellular police unit floating down the road in Ft. Myers.

Anyssa Bohanan, a weekend reporter in Ft. Myers, shared photographs of the Sanibel Causeway Thursday morning after Ian handed by way of as a hurricane.

Gov. Ron DeSantis will give a press convention from the state Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee slated to start at 8:45 a.m.

Also in attendance will likely be Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie.

It will likely be streamed at thefloridachannel.org.

Richard Tribou

This morning, President Biden declared a serious catastrophe in Florida, making tens of millions in emergency restoration support obtainable, particularly to the 9 counties hit hardest.

Here’s many of the text of his declaration:

The President’s motion makes Federal funding obtainable to affected people in the counties of Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota. Assistance can embody grants for momentary housing and residential repairs, low-cost loans to cowl uninsured property losses, and different packages to assist people and enterprise homeowners get better from the consequences of the catastrophe.

Federal funding additionally is obtainable to State, tribal, and eligible native governments and sure personal nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing foundation for particles elimination in the counties of Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota and emergency protecting measures statewide. For a interval of 30 days from the beginning of the incident interval, help for particles elimination and emergency protecting measures, together with direct Federal help, is permitted at 100% of the full eligible prices.

Lastly, Federal funding is obtainable on a cost-sharing foundation for hazard mitigation measures statewide. Damage assessments are persevering with in different areas, and extra areas could also be designated for help after the assessments are totally accomplished.

Residents and enterprise homeowners who sustained losses in the designated areas can start making use of for help at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or through the use of the FEMA App. Anyone utilizing a relay service, comparable to video relay service (VRS), captioned phone service or others, can provide FEMA the quantity for that service.

Jeffrey Schweers

Seminole County’s Office of Emergency Management will livestream an replace on Hurricane Ian from the Emergency Operations Center. It will likely be streaming on youtube.com/seminolecounty, facebook.com/SeminoleCounty and SGTV, Spectrum Channel 498.

Updates will likely be made on flash flood warning and affected areas.

Richard Tribou

Volusia County regulation enforcement reported an in a single day dying of a 72-year-old Deltona man who had gone exterior through the storm to empty his pool.

“Deputies responded to a home on Poinciana Lane near Lake Bethel around 1 a.m. after the victim’s wife reported he disappeared after heading outside. While searching for him, deputies found his flashlight, then spotted the victim unresponsive in a canal behind the home,” in line with a press launch from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

The report mentioned deputies pulled the person from the water, carried out CPR till paramedics arrived, however he couldn’t be revived and was later pronounced lifeless at an space hospital.

“The initial investigation indicates the victim was using a hose to drain the pool down a hill and into a 30-foot-wide canal, where a steep decline into the water was extremely soft and slippery due to the heavy rain,” the report mentioned. :The Sheriff’s Office sends its honest condolences to the sufferer’s household.”

Richard Tribou

Flash Flood Warnings in Central Florida proceed into Thursday morning.

At 6:39 a.m., radar and rain gauges indicated heavy rain falling in Little Wekiva River exhibiting between 6-10 inches with one other 3-5 inches attainable.

“Flash flooding is already occurring. River level currently reported of 30.6 ft which is nearly a foot above record,” the NWS acknowledged.

The flash flooding might have an effect on elements of Altamonte Springs, Maitland, Lake Mary, Longwood, Wekiva Springs, Forest City, Fern Park and Heathrow.

“This is a particularly dangerous situation. Seek higher ground now!” reads the warning. “Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order. Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”

Seminole County emergency managers will likely be holding a press convention at 7:30 a.m.

Other flash flood warnings proceed in Central Florida as effectively together with southeastern Orange County and north central Osceola County by way of 8:45 a.m.

“Local law enforcement reported heavy rain in the Orlando metro. Between 10 and 15 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring,” the NWS acknowledged.

Richard Tribou

More than 2.5 million individuals had been without power throughout the state by 6:30 a.m.

Power outages hit Southwest Florida the toughest together with most residents of hard-hit DeSoto, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties, in line with poweroutage.us. About 600,000 individuals had been without power in Central Florida by Thursday morning.

Richard Tribou

The National Weather Service reported that Orlando set a each day file with 7.72 inches of rain reported Wednesday on the worldwide airport.

The earlier file excessive for a similar date was 2.68 inches of rain, set in 1905.

The NHS mentioned Melbourne recorded 3.57 inches of rain, Daytona Beach had 5.22 (additionally a brand new each day file), and Sanford had 5.96 inches.

A flash flood warning was issued for southeastern Orange County and north central Osceola County, efficient till 4 a.m. on Thursday.

“At 12:58 a.m. EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain falling across the warned area. Between 6 and 9 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 4-6 inches, with locally higher amounts, are expected in the warned area,” the National Weather Service mentioned in its warning.

“Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”

The NWS mentioned areas that would expertise flash flooding embody: Titusville, Oviedo, Rockledge, New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Cocoa, Cape Canaveral, Wedgefield, Oak Hill, Mims, Titusville Airport, Scottsmoor, Haulover Canal, Port Saint John, Christmas, Playalinda Beach, Sharpes, Lone Cabbage Fish Camp, Chuluota and Bithlo.

Another flash flood warning was issued for elements of Polk County

Finally, some good news with Hurricane Ian. Just earlier than 1 a.m., the National Weather Service canceled the twister look ahead to Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties.

Ian seems to proceed weakening, a lot in order that the National Hurricane Center stopped doing hourly updates on the storm’s progress at 11 p.m. The subsequent advisory is at 2 a.m., however the storm continues to be packing robust winds and rain that will likely be shifting in the Orlando metro space earlier than dawn.

Just earlier than 1 a.m., Patrick Space Force Base in Brevard County reported a wind gust of 58.7 mph, and a gust of 65.6 mph was reported in Fort Pierce/Port St. Lucie.

More than 2.1 million prospects in Florida had been without electrical energy as 12:01 a.m. Thursday.

According to PowerOutage.us, greater than 40% of shoppers in Polk County have misplaced power. Here’s an replace on electrical energy throughout Central Florida.

• Orange County – 71,071 out of 631,967 prospects are without power
• Seminole County – 39,552 out of 225,139 prospects are without power
• Osceola County – 12,941 out of 198,813 prospects are without power
• Lake County – 10,089 out of 169,649 prospects are without power
• Volusia County – 39,694 out of 310,304 prospects are without power
• Polk County – 145,591 out of 355,057 prospects are without power
• Brevard – 13,471 out of 330,448 prospects are are without power

The hardest hit areas of Southwest Florida, the place Hurricane Ian made landfall on Wednesday, led with probably the most prospects without electrical energy.

Almost 100% of shoppers in Charlotte, DeSoto and Lee counties had been without power.

Our news companions at Spectrum News 13 report {that a} visitors sign construction on the nook of Orange Avenue and Livingston Street in downtown Orlando has crashed onto the roadway.

Even although the construction was down, electrical energy nonetheless gave the impression to be on primarily based on a photograph posted on-line.

A flash flood warning was issued for southeastern Orange County and north central Osceola County, efficient till 2:45 a.m. on Thursday.

“At 11:48 p.m. EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain falling across the warned area. Between 8 and 10 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 4 to 6 inches are expected in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly,” the National Weather Service mentioned.

The NWS mentioned areas that would expertise flash flooding embody. Orlando, Kissimmee, Winter Park, Wedgefield, Orlando International Airport, Avalon Park, Conway, Azalea Park, Narcoossee, East Lake Toho, Buena Ventura Lakes, Bithlo, Oak Ridge, College Park, Pine Hills, Belle Isle, Lake Nona, Lake Hart, Austin Tindall Park and Union Park.

Heavy rain from Hurricane Ian has prompted the National Weather Service to concern a Flood Warning for the St Johns River close to and above Lake Harney in Seminole County, warning of a file flood stage coming.

“As Hurricane Ian moves into east central Florida early this morning, historic heavy rainfall will continue, leading to quickly rising levels on the Saint Johns River Above Lake Harney at Geneva,” the NWS mentioned in its warning simply after 11 p.m. Wednesday.

“At this forecast point, the river is currently in Action Stage and is expected to rise to Minor Flood by early Thursday afternoon, rising further to Major Flood stage by Saturday morning, potentially reaching Record Flood Stage early Sunday morning.”:

The climate service mentioned that these alongside the river must be ready for main flood impacts. Due to wind results and drainage from upstream, the river is forecast to remain in Major Flood into early subsequent week, the NWS mentioned.

As of 11 p.m., Ian’s heart had moved inland about 70 miles south of Orlando with sustained winds all the way down to 90 mph, a Category 1 hurricane, shifting north-northeast at 8 mph. Hurricane-force winds lengthen out 45 miles with tropical-storm-force winds extending out 175 miles.

Further weakening is anticipated as Ian emerges over the western Atlantic by late Thursday, however forecasters consider Ian could keep hurricane power because it strikes throughout the middle of Florida in a single day.

As of 10:20 p.m. there over 2 million individuals without power as Hurricane Ian whipped by way of the state, in line with poweroutage.us. The majority of these outages had been in the southwestern portion of Florida the place the storm made landfall.

In Central Florida, Polk County had probably the most outages with 125,000.

Volusia County has closed most bridges in the realm, in line with a press launch. As of Wednesday evening:

Daytona Beach

• 1-92 International Speedway Bridge is closed till additional discover.
• Main Street Bridge is closed till additional discover.
• Orange Ave. Bridge is closed till additional discover.
• Seabreeze Bridge is closed till additional discover.

New Smyrna Beach

• North and South Causeways are closed till additional discover.
• Barracuda Bridge is closed till additional discover.

Ormond Beach

• Granada Bridge stays open as a result of the climate situations throughout the City of Ormond Beach don’t presently meet the necessities for a closure. The metropolis will proceed to watch the winds and can concern an replace ought to the necessity come up.

Port Orange/Daytona Beach Shores/Ponce Inlet

• Dunlawton Bridge is closed till additional discover.

David Harris

Hurricane Ian is all the way down to a Category 2 storm because it heads inland by way of the Florida Peninsula after making landfall earlier Wednesday as a Cat 4 storm.

It was situated about 40 miles northeast of Punta Gorda and 85 miles south-southwest of Orlando as of 9 p.m. whereas hitting the state with “catastrophic storm surge, winds, and flooding,” the National Hurricane Center mentioned. It was shifting north-northeast at 8 mph.

A University of Florida Coastal Monitoring Program wind tower situated close to Punta Gorda not too long ago reported sustained winds of 55 mph with a wind gust of 78 mph . The automated station on the Punta Gorda Airport measured a gust of 109 mph simply earlier than 8 p.m.

David Harris

The Florida Highway Patrol needed to take away a tree that fell on Interstate 4 on Wednesday night.

It blocked at the very least one westbound lane between Maitland and Altamonte Springs, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office mentioned on Twitter.

“We’d like everyone to stay off the road if possible,” the tweet mentioned. “As #HurricaneIan moves north, conditions in Seminole County will deteriorate. Please stay safe!”

A Naples Fire-Rescue Department station flooded due to the huge storm surge introduced in by Hurricane Ian.

But it didn’t cease crews from rescuing a girl who wanted assist close by. Holding baggage over their heads, rescuers had been in a position to take the lady inside and to increased floor to security, a video posted on the division’s Facebook page confirmed.

Firefighters additionally needed to push a fireplace truck exterior due to considerations that it might catch fireplace. In waist-high water, they unloaded the truck and took gadgets inside.

Naples is in Collier County, the place the sheriff’s division reported on Facebook that it was getting “a significant number of calls of people trapped by water in their homes” and that it could prioritize reaching individuals “reporting life threatening medical emergencies in deep water.”

David Harris and the Associated Press

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings mentioned he toured elements of the county this afternoon and will already see some particles that had already blown out of the timber.

“We have not come close to seeing the worst of the wind speeds within our county,” he added in a late afternoon press briefing, including that the worst would come early Thursday morning. “We’re also anticipating up to two feet of rain.”

He warned that the neighborhood ought to anticipate widespread power outages.

“The strongest threat from Hurricane Ian is projected to come to our county late tonight,” Demings mentioned “Winds are expected between 55 to 70 mph with gusts up to 100 miles an hour.”

Sporadic power outages have been reported all through Orange County and extra are anticipated tonight, Demings mentioned at his 6 p.m. hurricane briefing.

Demings talked about outages reported in the Maitland/Winter Park space and in Orlando close to Leu Gardens, the botanical attraction at 1920 North Forest Avenue.

“We have been working with various utility companies to make certain that we are taking care of the needs of the residents who are without power,” the mayor mentioned.

Demings additionally learn a press release on behalf of the Orlando Utilities Commission declaring the utility is prepared to reply to outages to revive power as shortly as attainable.

More than 100 out-of-state crews are stationed right here to assist. The utility steered prospects join alerts on outages. To join, prospects ought to textual content reg to 69682.

The utility will reply by asking on your 10-digit account quantity, then your zip code.

The mayor additionally provided tips on how to reply to a power loss.

“I will remind everyone that during periods of widespread and extended power outages residents are asked to reduce their water usage where possible,” he mentioned.

The Orlando Utilities Commission or OUC gives electrical, water, chilled water and/or lighting providers to about 400,000 accounts. When power is restored, it is very important restrict massive, quick water use in baths and showers and in home equipment like dishwashers and washing machines.

Almost each sort of water therapy system requires electrical energy.

Stephen Hudak

Across Osceola County’s 5 common inhabitants shelters and one particular wants shelter a complete of 572 residents have checked in, in line with a news launch.

Shelters had been not accepting residents as of round 3 p.m. Wednesday as street situations had been deemed not protected, the county mentioned in a news launch. Osceola County officers are asking residents to shelter in place for the subsequent 24 to 48 hours as Hurricane Ian passes over Central Florida.

Currently there isn’t any obligatory evacuation or curfew in impact, in line with the discharge. Residents in low-lying areas, manufactured houses or cellular houses are nonetheless requested to maneuver to a safer location.

Natalia Jaramillo

Seminole emergency officers mentioned they may maintain off enacting a countywide curfew till storm situations develop into too harmful for individuals to enterprise exterior.

Alan Harris, director of Seminole’s workplace of emergency administration, mentioned his county will then coordinate any curfew with neighboring counties.

“We’re looking at that regionally…A lot of folks that live here in Seminole work in Orange County and vice versa. So we want to make sure that we’re consistent with our neighbors,” Harris mentioned on the 5 p.m. press convention. “If we start seeing a lot of power lines down on roadways, that will factor into it.”

Somewhat greater than 300 individuals have checked into Seminole’s eight emergency shelters since 8 a.m. Wednesday, when the county opened the services.

“So there’s plenty of space there for people to take advantage of them,” he mentioned.

However, he urged residents to verify into the shelters earlier than storm situations make it too harmful to enterprise exterior.

Seminole additionally has deployed “high-water” automobiles into the Geneva neighborhood and the realm close to the Little Wekiva River in Altamonte Springs to be prepared when these areas start to flood, mentioned Chief Matt Kinley, of the Seminole County Fire Department.

The National Weather Service notified Seminole emergency officers that flooding alongside the Little Wekiva River are forecasted to succeed in “historic levels,” Harris mentioned.

“If you’ve flooded in the past, then you may want to go ahead and evacuate,” he mentioned.

Martin Comas

About 2,500 prisoners throughout 23 services impacted by Hurricane Ian have been evacuated, the Florida Department of Corrections introduced Wednesday.

Facilities in Pinellas, Manatee, Duval, Columbia, Orange, Polk, Alachua, St. Lucie, Hernando, Gilchrist, Leon, Miami-Dade, Broward and Volusia counties had been evacuated to bigger services which are higher geared up to climate the impacts of the storm, FDC mentioned.

Those services embody neighborhood work launch facilities and work camps. The division was not instantly obtainable to make clear which services inmates had been relocated to.

The following services have been evacuated:

• Bradenton Bridge
• Bridges of Jax
• Bridges of Lake City
• Bridges of Santa Fe
• Ft. Pierce CRC
• Hernando CI
• Jax Bridges
• Lancaster Work Camp
• Largo Road Prison
• Miami North CRC
• Opa Locka CRC
• Orlando CRC
• Reality House
• Shisha House
• St. Pete CRC
• Suncoast CRC
• Tallahassee CRC
• Tomoka CRC
• Tomoka Work Camp
• TTH Bartow
• TTH of Dinsmore
• TTH Tarpon Springs
• Turning Point

Loved ones of prisoners are being informed inmate areas will likely be posted on the web site 24 hours after relocation.

Other services that could be affected by the storm are being geared up with bagged meals, further mills, additional water and moveable lighting fixtures.

FDC mentioned all correctional officers and institutional employees are working all through the period of the storm.

Staff from non-impacted areas will likely be deployed to offer further assist after the storm passes, as wanted, FDC mentioned in the discharge. Maintenance groups from different areas have been staged to deploy after the storm.

Amanda Rabines

The storm could have claimed the lives of a number of Cuban migrants whose vessel sunk in the Florida Straits close to the Florida Keys, in line with the U.S. Coast Guard.

The USGS acknowledged that after 4 migrants made it to shore close to Block Island, a seek for the remaining 23 started.”

Crews rescued three individuals in the water about 2 miles south of Boca Chica,” the USGS acknowledged on Twitter. “They were brought to the local hospital for symptoms of exhaustion and dehydration. Air crews are still searching.”

Power outages had been starting to pile up throughout the state. By 4 p.m. Wednesday, greater than 1 million individuals in the state had been without power, largely in Collier, Charlotte, Lee, Sarasota, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties in line with poweroutage.us.

Hurricane Ian made landfall as a particularly harmful Category 4 hurricane close to Cayo Costa with most sustained winds of 150 mph. The minimal stress from Air Force Reconnaissance Hurricane Hunters was 940 MB, in line with the National Hurricane Center.

Usually vigorous and colourful, Orlando’s downtown Lake Eola was eerily battened down Wednesday afternoon underneath a metal sky and in 30 mph easterly gusts that whipped at Eola’s signature fountain and kicked up white caps close to the Disney amphitheater. Absent had been the swan boats (hauled out and saved), squirrels, flags, playground customers, patrons of Relax Grill, entry to public bogs, faith proselytizers, charity solicitors, joggers, cops on bikes, canine walkers and all however one homeless particular person. The famed swans in addition to pelicans, herons, pigeons, geese and ibis had been current however subdued, or probably gloomy over an evening of rising squalls to return.

Kevin Spear

Using a loudspeaker, Orange County Fire Rescue crews warned cellular house residents Tuesday afternoon to evacuate and go to the closest shelter as Hurricane Ian approaches.

The company shared a video on social media of a crew on a fireplace truck notifying a cellular house neighborhood shortly after 2:30 p.m.

https://twitter.com/OCFireRescue/status/1575192400057708544?s=20&t=1iZ4J3eeBm6j3fLwcw2utQ

“Hurricane Ian is expected to impact this area with high winds and heavy rain,” the OCFR crew introduced to residents. “An evacuation of all mobile homes is recommended.”

Monivette Cordeiro

NWS Meteorologist Cassie Leahy mentioned Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties ought to anticipate hurricane situations, with winds of fifty to 70 mph and gusts of 90 to 100 mph. In Lake County, the prediction was barely higher, with gusts of 75 to 80 mph anticipated.

Leahy mentioned the largest fear for the Orlando space won’t be the wind, however the water.

“That is our biggest concern, even with as high as the winds are going to be,” she mentioned. “We’re expecting it could be historic flooding for sure, especially across the rivers up there. … People need to be prepared that this could be historic flooding that they haven’t seen.”

About 12 to 18 inches of rainfall is anticipated throughout the area with native highs as much as two toes, Leahy mentioned.

Jeff Weiner

Oak Ridge High School, working as a shelter, is not accepting residents as situations worsen from Hurricane Ian, in line with an Orange County news launch.

But officers have now opened Memorial Middle School, close to Rio Grande Park, as a sixth shelter working in the county. It’s not open for pets. Ocoee High School and Dr. Phillips High School remain open as general-population shelters.

Apopka High School and Timber Creek High School are open as pet-friendly shelters, the discharge states.

Orlando International Airport has ceased operations with the final flight out at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. The airport’s jetways have been secured, ticket counters and kiosks have been coated with plastic, shuttle trains have been sheltered, nonessential personnel have evacuated and practically all plane have departed.

The passenger jets nonetheless on the airport will likely be tied down or hangared on the airport’s west and north sides away from terminals.

Airport director Kevin Thibault mentioned reopening might come as quickly as Friday, with hours of labor required to evaluate injury, to undo storm preparations and produce workers again to their work stations. Any injury, together with from flooding and from rain intruding into the terminals and outlying departure hubs would additional delay reopening, he mentioned.

The airport’s new Terminal C is designed to face up to 150 mph winds. The unique terminals A and B are a number of many years previous.

Orlando’s government airport east of downtown additionally has ceased operations.

Acting NHC Director Jamie Rhome inspired these in Central Florida to not wait earlier than hunkering down with heavy rains coming.

“Absolutely the I-4 corridor is a high risk of very heavy rain, that will produce flash flooding, impassable roads,” he mentioned. “I’m telling you, you just need to get where you’re going, to stay and plan to be there. We lose so many people after a storm because they get out and wander about it, drive into flooded roads, powerlines might be down they just encounter. I know you want to see what happened. I know you want to see if your house, your neighborhood is OK. But please stay inside until conditions allow you to safely move about.”

At 12:50 p.m. the National Weather Service issued a flood warning for a portion of east Central Florida together with Brevard, Orange, Osceola and Volusia.

“Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring,” the assertion reads as already 2-4 inches have fallen from the outer bands of Ian with one other 2-3 attainable this afternoon.

DeSantis on Wednesday afternoon mentioned the state will likely be issuing a serious catastrophe declaration for all 67 counties to hunt the federal authorities to reimburse 100% of upfront prices from the primary 60 days after Ian’s landfall “to ensure that we can quickly recover and move forward into the response and recovery part.”

He mentioned there are greater than 250 plane, greater than 1,600 excessive water automobiles and greater than 300 boats of all drafts and sizes for use in restoration efforts comparable to delivering provides.

“I want to say thanks to a lot of people who offer thoughts and prayers for the folks that are in the eye of the storm and that means a lot to us,” he mentioned. “There’s also people that want to be able to do their part.”

To that finish, DeSantis directed the activation of the Florida Disaster Fund so individuals can donate funds slightly than sending gadgets.

“We have everything we need in terms of the immediate response needs, but there will be thousands of Floridians who will need help rebuilding,” he mentioned.

To contribute individuals can go to www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or textual content “disaster” to 20222.

DeSantis gave a sobering view of how the storm will likely be remembered.

“I would just say it seems like over the last 12 to 24 hours every time you look at this storm, it’s just been bad news. It gets stronger, larger,” he mentioned. “This is a really, really significant storm. It will be one of the storms people always remember when they think about Southwest Florida — probably be the big one. They always remember and if you know anything about our state and you go to Panama City, you know that Michael is just part of the DNA of the community. Homestead — Hurricane Andrew just part of the DNA — and this is going to rank up there with that, so we need the thoughts and prayers over the near term, and then there’s going to be a huge effort on the back end, to help people and to get the communities back on their feet.”

DeSantis additionally mentioned he was “appreciative of the Biden administration for responding in this time of need.”

Orange County residents ought to hunker down and keep off roadways beginning at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Mayor Jerry Demings mentioned, as officers predict winds will decide up beginning then.

The county is “within the crosshairs” of the storm, which has neared Category 5 power and can deliver tropical storm and hurricane-force winds by the point it crosses the state and reaches Central Florida. Hurricane Ian might dump two toes of rainfall over the subsequent 36 hours right here, the mayor mentioned at a news convention Wednesday.

“That means we’re going to have some localized flooding,” he mentioned. “The winds are expected to arrive as soon as 2 p.m. today.”

Five shelters all through the county are open and accepting residents: Apopka High School, Ocoee High School, Dr. Phillips High School, Oak Ridge High School and Timber Creek High School.

Citing information from Visit Orlando, Demings mentioned occupancy at space lodges is about 85%, which means there’s nonetheless room for evacuees, or these looking for a last-minute place to journey out the storm.

Teams of regulation enforcement and fireplace crews are visiting cellular house parks in the county in identified low-laying areas hoping to encourage residents to evacuate. Demings mentioned 13 parks are of concern. LYNX, the area’s bus service, has supplied 13 buses to assist transport individuals to shelters.

“What we’re trying to do is mitigate the impact on our residents by evacuating those areas,” he mentioned.

A flood watch continues for all of east central Florida by way of late Thursday evening, in line with a Wednesday morning replace from National Weather Service Melbourne meteorologist Kole Fehling.

“Major flooding impacts are expected to develop throughout the day, and widespread heavy rainfall is expected to continue through Thursday night. Storm total rainfall amounts are forecast to range from 12 to 18 inches with localized amounts greater than 20 inches occurring over areas north of a line from Kissimmee to near New Smyrna Beach,” the assertion reads.

From 8 to fifteen inches are anticipated from Melbourne to Lake Kissimmee with some areas getting 18 inches whereas 4-8 inches with remoted areas of 12 inches are anticipated farther south, the NWS mentioned.

“This amount of rainfall will cause major flooding for portions of the area, especially for locations that have already received high rainfall amounts over the past 7 days,” the assertion reads. “Creeks and rivers that are already approaching bankfull will overflow, leading to substantial flooding. Urban locations and low-lying areas are especially vulnerable with an inundation of major roadways and flooding of structures possible,” mentioned National Weather Service Melbourne meteorologist Kole Fehling in Melbourne.

Fehling mentioned, by comparability, probably the most rainfall that Orlando has ever skilled over a three-day interval has been 13.75 inches.

“The normal value for the amount of rainfall over the entire year is about 52 inches,” Fehling mentioned. “So if we were to see those higher-end totals, we could be experiencing half of our total annual rainfall in a very short period of time.”

He additionally predicted sustained winds of 55 to 65 mph in the area, with hurricane-force gusts of as much as 80 mph.

The strongest winds are anticipated to reach Thursday night.

Gov. Ron DeSantis appeared with power firm linemen awaiting deployment throughout a press convention in Lake City noting the storm was more likely to deliver tragic outcomes.

“So just understand the impact of the storm is going to be enormous,” he mentioned. “There’s obviously some people who are in harm’s way by choice having hunkered down in their areas and we’re praying for them. Obviously, there’s going to be rescue efforts made as soon as it’s safe to do so. … It’s going to be a tragic event in many ways. But it’s something that we’re going to dig in on. We’re going to be there. We’re going to stand with the people who are most affected.”

He additionally added, “we understand it’s not just a 48-hour ordeal. It’s going to be something that is going to be there for days and weeks and months and unfortunately, in some circumstances, even years, but that’s just what we’re called upon to do.”

“So we’ll be standing there and we will marshal the resources that we need to be able to serve the people that are most affected by this,” he mentioned. “I want to thank the men and women who are standing behind me right now.”

During a briefing round 9:30 a.m., Lake County Commission Chairman Sean Parks mentioned the county is “as ready for this as we could ever be,” with Hurricane Ian’s winds anticipated to reach inside two to 4 hours.

Parks mentioned the county had accepted greater than 300 individuals into native shelters and distributed about 35,000 sandbags.

“The primary hazards of concern are damaging hurricane winds of course, strong tropical storm force winds as well, with dangerous gusts. Widespread flooding from the rain – that’s one issue that we’re particularly concerned about,” he mentioned.

Residents, he mentioned, “should be finalizing their plans” for Ian.

“You still have a little bit of time to do that,” he mentioned.

Parks expressed confidence that the county get better from no matter destruction Ian brings.

“We know the damage is going to come, and it could be varied from the north part to the south part of the county, but the one thing that we do know is it will not change the heart and spirit of the county,” he mentioned. “We’ll pull together through this.”

Orlando Health is pausing all elective surgical procedures and procedures scheduled for after 2 p.m. Wednesday by way of the top of the day Thursday, in line with a Tuesday night news launch. The precise timing of the cancellations could change relying on the climate.

In-person workplace visits are canceled as effectively. The hospital system encourages sufferers to contact their physician to schedule a digital go to or reschedule their appointment.

The news launch advises pregnant individuals who have an induction or cesarean part scheduled through the storm to seek the advice of with their doctor, as ought to different pregnant people who find themselves near their due date.

Emergency rooms — together with free-standing buildings — and the Scripts Pharmacy at Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital and on the Orlando Health Cancer Institute will proceed to be obtainable through the storm.

Visiting hours won’t change, the news launch notes.

As Hurricane Ian closes in on Florida, photographs of water receding alongside the coast started exhibiting up on social media.

In Tampa, in an identical approach seen throughout Hurricane Irma in 2017, the water receded alongside Bayshore Boulevard, in line with a publish by the Tampa Police Department.

Similar scenes had been seen farther south in Venice with the NWS in Tampa warning, “The water WILL come back. Please do not attempt to walk there or any other location with receding water.”

Power outages had been starting to pile up throughout the state.

As of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, greater than 150,000 individuals in the state are without power, largely in Collier, Miami-Dade, Charlotte, Lee, Sarasota, Manatee, Broward and Palm Beach counties in line with poweroutage.us.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is talking from the state Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee together with Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie and the National Guard’s Maj. Gen. General James O. Eifert.

The press convention will likely be streamed at thefloridachannel.org

Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke from the state Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee at 7 a.m. saying southwest Florida county residents have to now keep in place. ”If you’re in any of these counties, it’s not attainable to securely evacuate,” he mentioned. “It’s time to hunker down and prepare for this storm. This is a powerful storm that should be treated like you would treat it if a tornado were approaching your home. If you’re out on the roads get to a safe place as soon as possible.”He additionally warned about risks after the storm passes.”I urge you to be cautious. Avoid downed power strains. Avoid standing water, keep away from broken timber,” he mentioned. “If you are using a generator for power make sure that that is being operated outside your home do not operate that indoors and then don’t drive in flooded streets — people will look and think they can drive through it and it doesn’t work out well for them.”

Hurricane Ian 80 miles south-southwest of Charlotte County, “knocking on the door of a Category 5 hurricane,” Gov. mentioned simply now. Expecting landfall later at this time. A storm of this magnitude will trigger life-threatening storm surge, DeSantis mentioned. No longer protected to evacuate in case you are in the strike zone. Time to hunker down. Forty thousand houses are without power proper now. Bridges closed. Cortez street, and John Ringling Causeway, amongst others, closed due to winds over 40 mph. “You are going to see more bridges suspended given the ferocity of this storm.” Don’t go exterior in the attention of the storm. Still harmful. Difficult to get again into your houses. “This is a major, major storm.”

Seminole County this morning ordered the evacuation of residents who dwell in flood-prone areas, cellular and manufactured houses, and other people with particular wants as Hurricane Ian heads into the Florida peninsula and is anticipated to deliver virtually a foot of rain.

County officers additionally opened eight shelters at public faculties throughout Seminole:

•Lake Mary High School, 655 Longwood Lake Mary Road, Lake Mary

•Lawton Chiles Middle School, 1240 Sanctuary Drive, Oviedo

•Lyman High School, 865 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood (Pet pleasant)

•Midway Elementary School, 2368 Brisson Ave., Sanford

•Winter Springs High School, 130 Tuskawilla Road, Winter Springs (Pet pleasant)

Shelters for people with particular wants:

•Bentley Elementary School, 2190 S. Oregon Ave., Sanford (Pet pleasant)

•Layer Elementary School, 4200 FL-419, Winter Springs

Cots won’t be supplied on the common inhabitants shelters.

County officers mentioned the shelters must be used as a final resort, and residents ought to verify with household and associates to shelter earlier than heading to the county facility.

Power outages had been starting to pile up throughout the state. As of seven:15 a.m. Wednesday, greater than 80,000 individuals in the state are without power, largely in Miami-Dade, Sarasota, Collier, Charlotte, Lee, Broward and Palm Beach counties in line with poweroutage.us.

Orange County’s Emergency Operations Center, situated close to Full Sail University in Winter Park, will likely be staffed with about 100 individuals, doubtless extra, through the storm.

The Orange County Convention Center on International Drive in the vacationer hall is housing three FEMA groups and most of the vans and different heavy tools anticipated to be wanted through the emergency response.

Here are up to date areas and opening occasions for Orange County’s hurricane shelter:

• Apopka High School, 8 a.m. (pet pleasant)
• Dr. Phillips High School, 9 a.m.
• Oak Ridge High School, 9 a.m. (pet pleasant)
• Ocoee High School, 9 a.m.
• Timber Creek High School, 9 a.m. (pet pleasant)

Visit ocfl.net/shelters for essential information on what to deliver with you to a shelter.

For Orange County residents requiring a Special Needs/Medical Shelter please dial 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111.

They have been recognized as Olympia High School, 4301 S Apopka Vineland Road, and University High School, 2450 Cougar Way close to Union Park in east Orange County.

Orange County Animal Services will likely be staffed by eight to 10 individuals who will keep in a single day to offer take care of shelter animals by way of the period of the storm, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings introduced.

The shelter, situated at 2769 Conroy Road close to the Mall of Millenia, is provided with backup power mills.

Ocoee City Hall is closed at this time by way of Friday due to Hurricane Ian.

City Hall will return to regular operations Monday — relying on situations.

Trash gained’t be collected at this time or Thursday.

Depending on the storm’s affect, regular collections will resume Friday.

Ocoee plans to employees a residents hotline starting at 8 a.m. to reply hurricane-related questions all through the storm. The quantity is 407-554-7173.

Residents visited sandbag areas at Orange County parks in droves this week.

According to county estimates, 170,000 sandbags had been stuffed and hauled away by involved residents, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings mentioned.

Orange County Fire Rescue groups are heading out this morning to go to all cellular house parks, encouraging residents to contemplate staying with household or associates through the storm.

“I want you to listen very carefully to what I’m about to say,” Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings mentioned at a press briefing Tuesday evening. “It is recommended that residents consider evacuating flood prone areas sooner than later. We want to take it seriously. We do not want to have a situation where because of flooding, persons cannot leave their neighborhoods.”

He then cited areas the place residents have beforehand reporting flooding throughout heavy rains, together with Lakes of Windermere at Peachtree-Reams Road and Oasis-Reams Road, each in the Horizon West space of west Orange; Orla Vista and Westside Manor in the Pine Hills space; and Bonny Brooke-Oakridge Road close to John Young Parkway.

“Remember the forecast calls for heavy rains that will cause accessibility issues due to the predicted high water levels,” the mayor mentioned. “Orange County has already been oversaturated with rain. Another word of caution. If you have encountered street flooding in the past during regular rainstorms, you may want to consider evacuating as well as the streets may prove difficult to be reached by emergency response teams.”

Forecasts name for 12 to 18 inches of rain at this time and Thursday, probably extra.

The National Weather Service prolonged its twister watch up into Central Florida on Wednesday morning because the outer bands of Hurricane Ian sweep by way of the state.

The watch now contains Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Polk and Brevard counties. The tropical system has already spawned a number of tornadoes in South Florida with a number of twister warnings issued in a single day.

A attainable twister in Palm Beach County broken at Kings Point west in Delray Beach left two hospitalized and one other 35 individuals displaced, mentioned Capt. Tom Reyes, a spokesperson for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

About 9:15 p.m., fireplace rescue crews had been referred to as in regards to the attainable twister on the Normandy and Piedmont buildings in Kings Point, Reyes mentioned. Crews discovered “widespread damage” to a number of automobiles and structural injury to some buildings, together with uprooted timber.

The storm had already spawned two that brought on injury in Broward County officers with the National Weather Service in Miami mentioned.

Richard Tribou

Power outages had been starting to pile up throughout the state. As of 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, greater than 44,000 individuals in the state are without power, largely in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties in line with poweroutage.us.

Richard Tribou

At a late evening press convention, Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned Hurricane Ian may have widespread have an effect on all through Florida with harmful storm surge, heavy rain and “catastrophic” flooding.

“This is a lot of nasty weather we’re in store for these next couple of days,” he mentioned.

DeSantis additionally mentioned he anticipated power outages to be “in the millions” and there have been 30,000 utility staff prepared to revive electrical energy as soon as the storm passes.

For these evacuating, there are 176 shelters statewide. He additionally mentioned lodges are largely stress-free their pet insurance policies for these touring with pets.

“We think it’s very important that you don’t leave your pets behind,” he mentioned. “Bring your pets with you. They need you during this time.”

At least two tornadoes caused by Hurricane Ian touched down in Broward County on Tuesday evening, the National Weather Service Miami mentioned.

The first twister moved over Weston, Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise and Davie about 7:30 p.m., the climate service mentioned.

“The environment will be favorable for tornado development over the next couple of hours,” the climate service mentioned in a Tweet.

The second twister moved over an identical path by way of Pembroke Pines, Davie and Cooper City. The space is underneath a twister warning till 8:15 p.m., the climate service mentioned.

Orange County Fire Rescue crews are visiting cellular house parks all through the county Wednesday to encourage residents to evacuate through the storm, in line with a press launch.

Peak winds are anticipated to be as excessive as 74-80 mph and with 12-18 inches of rain attainable.

Officials additionally introduced the closure of Reams Road, from Bay Court to the Disney Parking Lot at 9 a.m. Wednesday till additional discover.

Other areas which are vulnerable to flooding, embody:

• Lakes of Windermere at Peachtree-Reams Road
• Oasis-Reams Road
• Orla Vista/Westside Manor
• Bonny Brooke-Oakridge/John Young

Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended tolls on Central Florida toll roads till additional discover in preparation for Hurricane Ian, the Central Florida Expressway Authority introduced Friday night.

As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, drivers won’t should pay tolls all through the 125-mile expressway system that stretches throughout Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.

The system contains 865 lane miles, 73 interchanges, 14 mainline toll plazas, 5 mainline gantries, 74 ramp toll plazas and 343 bridges and eight named expressways.

The CFX headquarters in Orlando will likely be closed efficient Wednesday and can resume common hours on Monday. The E-PASS Customer Service Walk-In Center can even be closed and the E-PASS Call Center will remain open with restricted staffing, in line with the announcement.

UCF soccer’s house recreation vs. SMU, initially scheduled for Saturday afternoon, has been moved to Sunday, the American Athletic Conference introduced on Tuesday.

Kickoff inside FBC Mortage Stadium between the Knights and the Mustangs is about for 1 p.m. the convention mentioned.

The broadcast designation, on the ESPN Family of Networks, will likely be introduced at a later date in line with the convention.

The final sandbag distribution heart in Osceola County on the St. Cloud civic heart will proceed to fill sandbags till 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The St. Cloud Civic Center has distributed an estimated 15,000 sandbags thus far at this time, in line with St. Cloud spokesperson Maryemma Bachelder.

The civic heart opened Tuesday at midday and can shut at 7 p.m.

Another Osceola County sandbag distribution heart on the Osceola County Heritage Center will shut at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The Osceola Heritage Center has stuffed over 216,000 sandbags during the last three days, in line with a news launch.

Two new shelters opened in Osceola County at Narcossee Middle School and a pet-friendly shelter at Liberty High School.

Publix shops throughout the Orlando space will shut Wednesday as Hurricane Ian approaches Florida, the Lakeland-based grocer’s web site exhibits.

Customers can verify particulars on their particular retailer at publix.com, however a verify by the Orlando Sentinel Tuesday night of many shops in the Orlando space present they’re listed to shut at 6 p.m. Wednesday and reopen on Friday.

Publix up to date when precisely shops will shut all through the day Tuesday.

As of Tuesday night, 448 of Publix’s 1,312 shops had been anticipated to have modified hours.

As Hurricane Ian strengthens over the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Department of Corrections introduced Tuesday it is going to be canceling visitation hours statewide all through the weekend.

Effective by way of Oct. 2, no guests will likely be permitted at any of the main establishments, work camps, work launch facilities or annex services.

FDC mentioned it can resume regular visitation “as soon as possible” and encourages family members of prisoners who need to obtain updates on visitations and closures to textual content “FDCVISIT” to 888-777.

Walt Disney World theme and water parks will likely be closed Wednesday and Thursday. Additional information will likely be shared quickly on DisneyWorld.com/weather.

Central Florida hospitals are gathering provides to make sure they’ll proceed to offer service as Hurricane Ian inches nearer to the area.

CreationHealth Central Florida has stockpiled 1000’s of gallons of water and has mills able to power its hospitals in the occasion power is misplaced, mentioned spokesperson Jeff Grainger.

“We do not anticipate any service interruptions,” he mentioned. “Family members of patients can rest assured that the hospital will be a safe place for their loved ones during the storm. We will be fully staffed and continue to deliver our excellent standard of care.”

Orlando Health can also be making preparations to make sure ample staffing and medical provides, mentioned spokesperson Sabrina Childress.

“Orlando Health takes each hurricane event seriously and prepares accordingly. Preparedness measures are underway and will continue to evolve in response to weather changes,” Childress mentioned. “During inclement weather events, our priority remains the safety and care of all patients.”

HCA Florida Healthcare, too, may have ample staffing, medicines, medical provides, meals and water through the storm for its 5 Central Florida hospitals, in addition to backup generator power, mentioned Richard Hammett, president of the HCA Healthcare North Florida Division.

“We continue to monitor Hurricane Ian as it progresses and will be ready for any changes that may take place in the next 24-48 hours. With the support of HCA Healthcare’s National Command Center, HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals have access to information, resources, and support from a network of experts and care sites across the state and nation,” Hammett mentioned in a press release.

Florida residents ought to solely come to hospitals in the event that they want medical consideration. They should not geared up to function emergency shelters. Seminole County opening emergency shelters Wednesday | 3:36 p.m. Tuesday

Seminole County will open eight emergency shelters at 8 a.m. on Wednesday at space public faculties for residents on the lookout for refuge from Hurricane Ian.

The county will then announce an evacuation order for residents who dwell in flood-prone areas, cellular houses and individuals with disabilities.

At the three p.m. press convention, nonetheless, county emergency officers held off naming the shelters and areas till they’ve them totally ready for the inflow of residents.

But residents ought to first attempt to discover shelter in different areas — comparable to at a member of the family’s house or good friend’s home — earlier than deciding on a county emergency shelter, officers mentioned.

“Shelters are places of last resort,” mentioned Alan Harris, Seminole director of the county’s workplace for emergency providers.

Residents with particular wants ought to name the county’s hurricane hotline at 407-665-0000 if they should keep at a shelter.

“Seminole County is planning for extremely high winds, heavy rains and possible tornadoes,” Harris mentioned.

Sheriff Dennis Lemma urged residents to remain off the roads through the storm due to the hazard of flying particles and flooded roads.

Lemma famous that his workplace has elevated the variety of deputies, together with metropolis law enforcement officials, who will likely be patrolling the county.

“Any person committing a crime during a state of emergency will be dealt with appropriately,” Lemma mentioned.

Shoppers on the lookout for last-minute provides and groceries from Publix in south Lake County in addition to west of Kissimmee nonetheless have a while, however face a deadline as Hurricane Ian approaches.

While the Lakeland-based grocer hasn’t revealed modified hours for a lot of of its Orlando space shops but, at the very least 9 shops in Clermont, Groveland, Minneola, and Kissimmee are anticipated to shut at 4 p.m. Wednesday, in line with the grocery store’s web site as of Tuesday afternoon. They are presently set to reopen Friday.

The shops had been earlier listed as closing on Tuesday, and Publix has since up to date its web site with them closing Wednesday. Customers can verify for updates on their shops at publix.com.

Even extra shops west and southwest of Kissimmee, together with in Davenport, are additionally anticipated to briefly shutter.

Universal Orlando Resort, together with CityWalk, will shut on Wednesday and Thursday, with tentative plans to reopen on Friday as situations allow.

Universal Orlando mentioned its lodges are presently at full capability and can remain operational.

The park deliberate two of its Halloween Horror Nights occasions on Wednesday and Thursday, each of which will likely be canceled. For extra information and FAQs, go to https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/plan-your-visit/weather-updates/severe-weather.html.

Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter plane indicated Hurricane Ian’s minimal stress has decreased to 952 MB. It is now situated about 255 south of Sarasota.’

The subsequent full replace will likely be at 5 p.m.

At Osceola County Heritage Park sandbag distribution, the road snakes across the whole park.

Osceola County upkeep employee, Thomas Compton, fingers out bundles of 25 baggage to automobiles stopping at his pickup truck with a big blue tarp arrange simply behind.

“It’s been a steady stream of cars the whole time we’ve been open,” Compton mentioned. “It’s been crazy since Monday because I think that’s when people started to see the storm was coming.”

Compton has labored since Sunday for ten-hour shifts handing out empty sandbag bundles to automobiles and telling them to “go around the pickup truck and then over there” as he factors to a big grass space with numerous piles of sand and automobiles huddled round them.

“I think all these people getting sandbags are overreacting,” Compton mentioned as an Ice Cream truck pulls as much as the crew of upkeep staff making bundles of sandbags. “Look at that, now we get ice cream.”

Down the road at a sand pile is 57-year-old Ivette Aponte shoveling sand right into a bag.

“I’m worried because we live next to two lakes and they are already really full so we’re worried about it flooding into our house,” Aponte mentioned.

Aponte’s 24-year-old flight attendant daughter, Karalise Ferrer, mentioned the household is planning on placing the sandbags in entrance of their storage door.

“We’re going to fill all 25 sandbags,” Ferrer mentioned. “About five years ago when Hurricane Irma hit we also got sandbags.”

The household elevate the heavy baggage of sand into the mattress of their pickup truck pushed by Felix Ferrer, Aponte’s husband and Karalise’s dad.

“I think we’re mostly worried about the rain,” Felix Ferrer mentioned. “We have seen in the past a lot of flooding where we live and I’m worried it will happen again.”

The Osceola County sandbag distribution heart on the Osceola Heritage Park will shut at 6 p.m. Tuesday with no official phrase but if the location will proceed operations on Wednesday.