Emergency Management

What is a Hurricane?

 

Hurricanes are tropical cyclones – storms that rotate counterclockwise with wind speeds in excess of 74 mph. On average, six Atlantic hurricanes develop each year. When a hurricane moves toward populated areas, it often causes severe damage. As the hurricane moves forward, its right front quadrant is typically where the most devastation occurs.

Hurricane season begins in the early summer and last through late fall – June through November. It is important for you to know what to do in case of an emergency. Your personal action plan details who does what, where you go and what you take along. Practice drills, like the departments of the Town of Windermere does in conjunction with Orange County Emergency Management, will help prepare you in the event you need to implement your plan.

Hopefully, you are as ready as one can be for any incident. If not, the following is to assist you, and provide some guidance that may help you be prepared. Even though this is focused toward hurricanes, these brief guidelines work for any incident – afternoon storms, power outages, natural and man-made disasters. These disaster preparedness kits should be prepared well before hurricane season begins, kept throughout the year and checked annually.

 

2023 - Idalia

The Town is closely monitoring Hurricane Idalia. Updates regarding Idalia’s impact to Windermere are posted immediately below. General information on hurricanes, including sandbag locations, emergency contacts, shelters, etc. are further down the page.

 

 

 

STAY INFORMED

 

Town Staff are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Idalia. Preparations are being made ahead of time to minimize the impact as much as possible.

 

The Town will post alerts to keep you safe before, during, and after the storm on the following channels:

 

BOAT RAMPS OPEN

 

In advance of approaching Tropical Storm Idalia, the ramps at Fernwood and Bessie will be left open to allow for the removal of boats.

 

If the ramps are not opened, please contact Public Works at 407-909-5333 or visit the Public Works office at 614 Main Street, Building 200 (building next door to Admin/PD).

 

Please ensure your boats are removed by 5:0opm on Tuesday, August 29. The parks will close at that time, and gates will be locked (keys/codes will not work).

 

NO YARDWASTE COLLECTION ON WEDNESDAY, 8/30

 

Per Waste Pro, Yard Waste Collection for Wednesday, August 30 has been cancelled.

Do not place your yard waste bins outside for Wednesday.

If you have yard waste that needs to be disposed of, please take it to a transfer station.

If landfills allow, Waste Pro will be in town Saturday to pick up yard waste. TBA if there will be any special bagging requirements.

 

PARK CLOSURES

 

All Town parks will close at 5:00pm on Tuesday, August 29.

 

Be sure to remove any watercraft before this deadline as gates will be locked and there will not be key/code access until it has been deemed safe to reopen the parks.

 

DRAIN CLEANING

 

The Town’s vendor, Horizon Land Management, is in town today to clean storm drains.

 

Horizon Land Management has been routinely cleaning storm drains throughout Town all year – this is a supplemental clean ahead of Idalia.

 

OFFICES CLOSED

 

Town Offices will be closed for all non-emergency personnel on Wednesday, August 30.

 

ROADS

 

Road assessments are underway. Public Works will be on-site today to repair any washouts.

Because of Public Works’ proactive approach in developing temporary fixes in known problem areas prior to Idalia, road damage appears minimal. Thank you, Public Works!

PARKS OPEN

 

As of 10am on Thursday, August 31, Town Parks* are once again open. Residents needing ramp or tennis court access, please contact Public Works for information on how to obtain a Park Pass and/or a Tennis Pass (email or call 407-909-5333).

*The Lake Street Parks remain closed due to existing damage from Hurricanes Ian & Nicole in 2022. The Town is working with FEMA to coordinate repairs.

Links and Phone Numbers

Track Idalia / see NOAA updates here

EMERGENCIES

Non-Emergency (24/7)

Windermere PD Non-Emergency (M-F, 8-5)

Orange County Sheriff’s Office

Florida Fish & Wildlife

Orange County Hotline

Orange County Utilities

Duke Energy (report an outage, downed line, etc.)

Lake Apopka Natural Gas

FEMA Region 4 General Line

FEMA Region 4 News Desk

Local Red Cross

Track the storm

911

407-905-6333

407-876-3757

407-254-7000

888-404-3922

311

407-836-5515

Call 1-800-228-8485, text OUT to  57801, or Click here

407-656-2734 or click here

770-220-5200

770-220-5292

407-894-4141

Click here

Power

Duke Energy will be the contact for all power-related needs.

 

Report an outage. Please refer to Duke Energy for any and all questions related to restoration. Town staff does not have information on individual restoration.

 

Garbage Collection

Click here for garbage related updates, including debris removal

NO YARDWASTE COLLECTION ON WEDNESDAY, 8/30

 

Per Waste Pro, Yard Waste Collection for Wednesday, August 30 has been cancelled.

Do not place your yard waste bins outside for Wednesday.

If you have yard waste that needs to be disposed of, please take it to a transfer station.

If landfills allow, Waste Pro will be in town Saturday to pick up yard waste. TBA if there will be any special bagging requirements.

KEEP STORM DRAINS CLEAR

 

Best practice for yard waste disposal: place yard waste and debris away from storm drains to help keep them clear and operational before, during, and after storms. Keep this in mind when piling post-storm yard debris.

We will keep you informed once the storm passes regarding debris clean up including the schedule and how to bag or bundle yard waste.

Credit to our friends at Orange County for this helpful graphic.

Emergency Shelters

Click here for information on Orange County Emergency Shelters

Hurricane Preparation

AT HOME EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT (minimum suggestions)

 

  • Two Flashlights.
  • A battery-operated radio.
  • Six extra sets of batteries.
  • Gel freezer packs to keep food cold.
  • A cooler.
  • Matches and a lighter.
  • A camping stove and/or grill.
  • A tarp, towels, can opener, large plastic trash bags.
  • Drinking water in plastic containers – a minimum one gallon of water per person per day for 14 days.
  • Non-perishable food in cans or sealed containers enough for 14 days. Don’t forget the pets!
  • A cell phone, if possible

EVACUATION KIT (minimum suggestions)

 

  • A map and a compass.
  • Sleeping bags and/or blankets for each member of the family.
  • A can of tire sealer.
  • Air or foam mattresses.
  • Identification for everyone.
  • Important documents.
  • Extra clothes, shoes, etc.
  • Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, paper towels, etc.
  • Books, games, playing cards, etc.
  • Food and water from at home supplies.

 

All family members with Special Needs should register with the Orange County Special Needs Registry

Before the Storm

AT HOME

 

  • Fill your bathtub(s) and sinks with water. To keep from leaking, cover the drain with a clean sheet of plastic before filling
  • Fill clean plastic or glass containers with water. Store the bottled water in a cool, dark area.
  • Remove any loose lawn furniture or other items in your yard that could take flight in the winds.
  • Make sure your vehicle is full of gas and withdraw money.

AT THE MARINA/DOCK

 

  • Check all cleats, ropes, chocks and winches for strength.  Double the rigging lines fore and aft.
  • Ensure lines are high enough on pilings to allow for extreme ebb and flow of rising waters.
  • Tie old tires around the boat to protect it from being pushed into other docked boats, piers, pilings, etc.
  • Loose items should be removed or secured inside the boat.

During the Storm

WEATHERING THE STORM AT HOME

 

If you do not live within the “evacuation area,” and you decide to stay, do not leave your home. Use this checklist as you prepare to stay home during the storm.

 

  • Secure all windows and doors.
  • Keep updated on the storm’s status by listening to advisory reports on the radio or TV.
  • Remove all loose items from your yard.
  • Keep flashlights handy.
  • Have your Emergency Supply Kits near.
  • For protection in extremely high winds, stay away from windows or any glass-covered openings during the storm. Go to the lowest floor of your home. Find a room that is structurally reinforced – a bathroom or closet – and wait until the storm passes.
  • Do not use your computer or electrical devices during the storm.
  • Do not leave your house until it has been confirmed that it is safe to do so.

WHEN THE ORDER IS GIVEN TO EVACUATE – EVACUATE!

 

DON’T PANIC! An orderly, but immediate evacuation will help ensure that you arrive safely at your destination.

 

  • Take your At-Home and Evacuation Kits
  • Turn off water, gas and electricity
  • Lock all windows and doors
  • Call friends and relatives to inform them of your destination. When you arrive, call again to let them know you are safe
  • If you have pets, make sure your destination is pet friendly

After the Storm

Once the ALL CLEAR has been given by Emergency Management:

 

  • CALL 911 if you or someone in your household is injured and/or a life-threatening emergency exists
  • Call the Non-Emergency number 407-905-6333 if you want to notify the Town of a possible safety concern, i.e., tree down/washed out road, vandalism, or other safety sensitive concern
  • Before the public all clear is given, and the sustained winds are below 35 mph, Town staff has begun assessing the damage, clearing roads for emergency medical personal and conducting safety checks
  • Take account of your immediate safety and the interior of your home. If you are safe to stay indoors, do so. Going outside may place you or your loved ones in danger. If possible, call a friend or family member outside of your area to let them know you are okay. Keep listening to radio and news reports of the situation
  • Once you feel it’s safe to go outdoors, take account of your personal property: home, vehicles, etc. Take photos of any damage to your property. Use caution, the dangers still exist even though the storm has passed
  • Only hire licensed contractors/certified arborist for any repair work that may be needed
  • Do Not venture beyond your property until crews have completed any and all work in the area

 

First Responders (Public Works, EMS, Law Enforcement) – were activated before the approach of the storm. Please allow them the time and space to aid in the immediate life threatening responses, then time to clean and clear the roadways. DO NOT go in or around down trees, power lines, or unless a personal emergency exist, please stay off the roads.