Hurricane Milton damage? Here’s where to find help locally

UPDATED: 10-12-24

While most areas in Greater Oviedo and Winter Springs fared well through Hurricane Milton as it tore through the area as a Category 1 storm, Seminole County Emergency Management officials said that Gee Creek, Howell Creek and the Little Econlockhatchee River experienced major flooding and cautioned that the St. Johns River, which those water bodies feed into, is expected to rise higher and higher over the next few days and possibly rise into the major flood stage. And Hurricane Milton damage is continuing to be assessed in the wake of the storm.

Many residents reported flooding on social media pages days after Milton hit. Geneva residents in need of disaster assistance can pick up resources, including water,  tarps, and ready-to-eat meals (while supplies last) at the Rural Heritage Center, 101 E Main St. in Geneva.

Water, tarps and ready-to-eat meals are also available to Seminole County residents (identification required) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13 at The Salvation Army of Seminole County, 700 W. 24th St. in Sanford.

Seminole County spokesperson Andy Wontor said that folks in low-lying areas should monitor water levels. Seminole County said a sandbag location will open in Geneva at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11 at Old Geneva Volunteer Fire Station, located at 217 2nd St. so that folks can protect their homes from rising water. Check here for updates.

In a briefing on Friday, Wontor said that the St. Johns River was still rising and not yet showing a crest but was showing signs of leveling off. He said that if that holds true and if there’s no additional rainfall, the level will be below the “catastrophic” level that was reached with Ian.

Seminole County residents in need can call the Citizen’s Information Line at 407-665-0000.

Milton poured 13 inches of rain on the area, which is less than the levels experienced in 2022 after Hurricane Ian, which dumped 15 inches of rain in a single night, in part because Milton moved faster through the area than Ian. The storm had wind gusts more than 89 miles per hour creating “pretty significant damage across the county,” Wontor said.

More than 900 people sought refuge in emergency shelters, a number that increased through the night because of trees crashing into homes and because of flooding, Wontor said. Seminole County experienced no deaths or serious injuries and received 368 9-1-1 calls, which is 150% above the typical average. The only “significant call” the department got was from a person who needed to be rescued after they were pinned in bed by a tree that went through their window. Several people in the county lost their homes completely.

Power outages

Wontor said there are 115 traffic signals that are out across the county and that drivers should treat those as four way stops.

As of Thursday there were around 50,000 customers without power in the county. That’s down to just more than 23,000 as of Saturday.

Find information on how to report an outage or to get updates here.

Roadways 

More than 100 roads are currently blocked to some level, so county officials cautioned for people to only drive when necessary, to drive with care when necessary and to turn around if flooding is encountered to prevent drowning.

Wontor said that S.R. 46 could close as water continues to rise and that the county has pre-positioned vehicles in vulnerable areas to help those folks if needed.

Here is a list of road closures:

For Seminole County road closure updates please visit www.fl511.com or call 511.

Schools

Seminole County Public Schools plan to open on Tuesday, Oct. 15. 

Debris and trash collection

Resources

Reporting damage

Wontor urges anyone who experienced damage to fill out a damage assessment form at prepareseminole.org, saying that knowing the level of damage could get the Federal Emergency Management Agency to offer assistance faster.

Disaster distress hotline 

24/7/365 crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters

Call or text: 800-985-5990

Emergency food pantry 

Second Harvest Food Bank 

Phone: 407-295-1066

Visit online: Second Harvest Food Bank 

Federal aid

See if you qualify for emergency funding from FEMA. Apply for assistance here or call 1-800-621-3362. 

Find gas 

Check Gas Buddy for live updates on fuel and power availability. 

Internet access

Spectrum opened Wifi access points across Florida. Find connections here.