Dear Friend,
Hurricane and storm surge watches covered much of the Gulf Coast of Florida on Tuesday morning as a system churning in the Caribbean Sea was expected to strengthen rapidly into a powerful hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center predicted the storm – soon to be named Helene – will reach winds of 115 mph before landfall, making it a major Category 3 storm, experts say. Forecasters warned the storm could bring life-threatening storm surge, hazardous winds and heavy rain.
The system is expected to intensify into a hurricane by Wednesday and make landfall on Thursday, according to the hurricane center.
Click here to see guidance on how to prepare for a hurricane.
If you’re in Orange County, our Public Works department is offering self-serve sandbags starting at 9:00am today at the following six locations:
- Barnett Park: 4801 W. Colonial Drive Orlando, FL 32808
- Bithlo Community Park: 18501 Washington Avenue, Orlando, FL 32820
- Clarcona Horse Park: 3535 Damon Road, Apopka, FL 32703
- Downey Park:10107 Flowers Avenue, Orlando, FL 32825
- Meadow Woods Recreation Center: 1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle, Orlando, FL 32824
- West Orange Recreation Center: 309 S West Crown Point Road, Winter Garden, FL 34787
I also encourage you to stay informed by signing up for the OCALERT notification system. You can learn more here.
We will continue to keep you updated. Stay safe.
In service,
