Dear Friend,
I know we are still processing the results of the 2022 Election Cycle in Florida and are watching national results come in too — but I did want to take a moment make sure you were prepared for Tropical Storm Nicole.
Based on the latest storm track, the eye of this storm is projected to track over Orange County.
The current storm track puts the strongest part of storm in our area Wednesday evening, with winds between 50-60 mph and gusts of 75 mph. All east Central Florida counties are under a tropical storm warning, too.
Rainfall totals expected for Orange County are 4-6 inches, with some localized areas receiving 8 inches of rain. Tropical Storm Nicole is expected to clear the area by Friday morning at 7am.
Click here for a quick review on school closures, sandbags, shelters, and other localized updates.
We’ll continue to share updates as we have them.
Stay safe,
Rep. Anna V. Eskamani
Tropical Storm Nicole Updates
EOC: Currently at level 2 activation, however, Orange County will go to a Level 1 activation tomorrow (Wednesday).
State of Local Emergency: Mayor Demings signed the local state of emergency for Tropical Storm Nicole earlier on Tuesday.
Orange County Government Closing: Orange County Government will be closing Wednesday, November 9th at 3pm through Thursday, November 10th. Normal operations will resume Friday, November 11th.
Sandbag Locations: The county has four self-serve sandbag locations that opened Wednesday, November 9th and will be open based on weather conditions and while supplies last.
The locations are:
- Downey Park – 10107 Flowers Avenue, Orlando
- Fort Christmas Historical Park – 1300 Fort Christmas Road, Christmas
- Clarcona Horse Park/Clarcona Outpost – 3535 Damon Road, Apopka
- Multicultural Center – 7149 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Sand is also available to shovel and bag for City of Orlando residents on November 9th from 8am-3pm. 10 bags each. Residents need to bring ID showing proof of city residency. Address is: 1010 Woods Avenue Orlando, FL 32805
Schools: Based on the storm’s forecast and potential impacts on Orange County, Wednesday, November 9, will be a regular early dismissal day. All schools will be closed on Thursday, November 10, and Friday, November 11. All after-school extracurricular activities and extended day programs are canceled Wednesday through Friday. Learn more here.
Higher Education: Please visit individual websites for each higher ed institutions for more specifics.
Shelters: Orange County is planning to open two PSN shelters and two general population shelters tomorrow. Find more details here.
City of Orlando Parking: Parking fees waived beginning Wednesday, November 9 at 12 p.m. at these garages:
Passenger vehicles only ; height restrictions. Remove vehicles by 12 p.m. Friday, November 11.
Debris: Hurricane Ian storm debris pick up continues throughout the county. Residents are asked to move debris off the street into their yards, to lessen the chance that debris may block essential storm drains in their neighborhoods.
Stormwater: Public Works Department staff have pumped down several locations, including Bonney Brook and Westside Manor along with others in advance of the storm. Most lakes and retention ponds are down to normal levels and all canals are clear and flowing. However, water table is still very high, and efforts are being made to get water out of our ponds and lakes and into the St. John’s or Shingle Creek/Kissimmee.
Orange County Fire Rescue: Staff is determining vulnerable mobile home parks and will proactively reach out to residents with storm-related information.
Utilities: Orange County will have a full day of solid waste collection on Wednesday. Thursday collection will depend on the track and intensity of the storm.
Building Division: Staff sent notices to contractors to secure materials and cleanup construction sites in advance of the storm.