Local disaster resource guide

Greater Oviedo and Winter Springs is no stranger to major storms and how they can affect our lives but after last year, when record-breaking storms deluged our community with historic rainfall and damaging winds, OCN wanted to provide a locally helpful guide that will help residents before, during and after a storm (or other disaster).

Hurricane season runs from June through November. There are steps you can take now to get prepared for the season. This guide will be updated if storms or other disasters impact our community with event-specific information and resources.

We also created a printable graphic with QR codes, phone numbers and addresses, in case you need the information but don’t have power or Internet access.

Image courtesy of the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Idalia information

Seminole County is under a tropical storm watch as projections show Hurricane Idalia hitting Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 3 Hurricane with 125 mph winds.

The storm is expected to weaken as it moves across the state. Megan Tollefsen, meteorologist at the National Weather Service local forecast office in Melbourne, said that based on current forecasts Greater Oviedo and Winter Springs can expect to experience effects from the storm’s outer bands, including isolated storms, by Tuesday afternoon.

Sustained winds of 25-35 mph and wind gusts up to 45 mph are forecasted for Wednesday. A total of 2-3 inches of rain is expected in east Central Florida from the storm with possible locally higher rainfall, between 4-5 inches, in the Oviedo and Winter Springs area.

Emergency Operation Center Director Alan Harris said folks should prepare for power outages and cell phone disruptions. As for suggested preparations, he said to bring in lawn furniture and any outdoor items that would be picked up by strong wind. He said to also be sure to have plenty of food and water in the home.

Tollefsen said she expects the storm to move through the area quickly.

“The greatest threats are somewhat northward at this point. But we will be pretty gusty here and we’ll see a good amount of rain,” Tollefsen said, adding that folks should finish up their storm preparations before Tuesday morning.

Sandbags are loaded into vehicles at Oviedo’s filling station location off of Evans Street. Photo courtesy of the City of Oviedo.

Local sandbag filling station information by municipality

Winter Springs

Sandbag filling station hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29
Location: Central Winds Park, 1000 Central Winds Drive
Empty bags and sand will be available to Seminole County residents while supplies last.
Limit: 15 sandbags per household
Bring your own shovels, gloves
Be prepared to fill and load the bags

Oviedo

Sandbag filling station hours: The station will open at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29 but a closing time is yet to be announced.
Location: Public Works Facility, 1655 Evans St.
Enter and exit the facility off of Evans street. The Lockwood Boulevard access will be closed for the duration of the sandbag operation.
The city acquired a sandbag filling machine. Staff will be there for assistance.
For folks who want to self-serve, shovels will be available for use.

Seminole County

The above locations are the only ones in Greater Oviedo and Winter Springs as of 3 p.m. Monday. For additional Seminole County sandbag locations, click here.

Seminole County Public Schools

Seminole County schools, Valencia College and Seminole State College will be closed on Wednesday, Aug. 30. This includes extra curricular activities.

According to SCPS spokesperson Katherine Crnkovich, school buses cannot safely run once there are sustained 35-mph winds.

Local resources

Oviedo

Find tips for hurricane supply kits, steps to take before a storm hits and local hotlines on the city’s Hurricane Preparedness page.
Visit the city’s Alert Center to find information such as boil water advisories, roadway bulletins and to receive email or text alerts.
Find alerts via the City of Oviedo’s Facebook page.
General population emergency shelters: Evans Elementary, 100 E. Chapman Road, and Lawton Chiles Middle School, 1240 Sanctuary Drive.
Post-disaster information website.

Winter Springs

The city created a webpage specifically for Tropical Storm Idalia information. Find that here.
Visit the city’s Disaster Preparedness website to find guides on securing your home before a storm, creating an emergency plan or compiling a disaster supply kit. The site also has city updates, such as debris collection schedules.
Sign up to receive city emergency alerts.
Find alerts via the City of Winter Springs’ Facebook page.
General population emergency shelter: Winter Springs High School, 130 Tuskawilla Road in Winter Springs (pet friendly).
Get post-storm information here or call the city’s hotline at 407-327-2669.

Seminole County

Visit the county’s Emergency Management website for disaster information, including hurricanes, wildfires.
Sign up for alerts on significant weather events, evacuations, road closures and boil water notices here or text SEMINOLE to 888-777.
For Hurricane Idalia alerts, text STORM2023 to 888-7777.
Find alerts on the county’s Facebook page.
Watch more than a dozen tip videos on anything from filling and placing sandbags to how to prepare pets for a storm.
Visit the county’s website with storm-specific information, such as assistance programs, flooding information and volunteer information.
Find county shelter information.

Find an emergency checklist.
Access a disaster guide for those with disabilities or special needs through the county here or through the Department of Homeland Security here.

Federal resources

Visit the FEMA website.
Find the Department of Homeland Security’s hurricane preparedness guide.
Access Department of Homeland Security’s disaster guide for those with disabilities or special needs.
Find up-to-date hurricane information through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.