Tropical Storm Dorian became an official hurricane on Wednesday as it loomed over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and according to the internet, is expected to become a Category 3 hurricane by the time it slams into Florida’s east coast this weekend.
The National Hurricane Center is tracking it at sustained winds of 82 mph with gusts of up to 111 mph. In comparison, Hurricane Irma hit the islands at gusts of 200 mph before moving on to South Florida as a Category 4 hurricane with winds tracked at 130 mph. Dorian is expected to pick up speed as it hits warmer water to the southeast.
The storm’s Cone of Uncertainty has Florida in the crosshairs but since it’s an estimated five days from landfall it is way too soon to know what to expect for sure but most experts say it will hit near Brevard and Volusia Counties before making its way westward to Tampa.
Governor DeSantis has declared a State of Emergency for the State of Florida in order to better mobilize resources in preparation for the storm and is asking residents along the coast to be ready with their storm plans.
The City of Orlando has asked that residents prepare for an eventuality of at least seven days without power if we are in fact hit by Dorian. Here are some helpful hints:
- Keep checking the National Weather Service (Website) for the most up-to-date storm information.
- NEED GAS? CLICK HERE TO USE GASBUDDY.COM’S INTERACTIVE MAP. Suspect someone of price gauging? Report them to Pam Bondi’s new price-gouging hotline at (866)-9-NO-SCAM.
- Worried about flooding? Click HERE to see an interactive map of Orlando’s flood zones via the Orlando Sentinel.
- Stay up-to-date with the City of Orlando through their social media channels like facebook.com/cityoforlando in case of any evacuation orders. Click HERE if you or someone you know need it in Spanish.
- Click HERE for a formula on how to create a Pet Evacuation Kit of essential items.
- The City of Winter Park’s Emergency Operations Center is currently functioning at Level 3 – monitoring status – in case hurricane conditions develop. If you need sandbags you can collect at Showalter Stadium, 288 Perth Lane from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 8 a.m.-noon Saturday.
NEED LAST-MINUTE SUPPLIES?
Bungalower has a Hurricane Kit shopping list all set up for you HERE on Amazon.com. Skip the crazy lines at the local grocery stores and get your essentials sent straight to your house while you check off some other things from your list.
SIGN UP FOR PROACTIVE OUTAGE ALERTS:
OUC is encouraging customers to sign up for outage alerts at my.ouc.com in order to get updates on estimated restoration times in case of loss of power. You can also text “REG” to 69682 to enroll your phone for text alerts.
If your power goes out during the storm, OUC crews will not be able to respond until the storm has passed – that includes to respond to downed power lines and main breaks. Crews restore power with a focus on critical customers like hospitals, wastewater plants, fire and police stations, and critical services before reconnecting individual residences.
OTHER HELPFUL TIPS:
- Conserve water – leave tasks like washing laundry, dishes, cars, and yachts until after the storm has passed. Keep at least three-days worth of water per person on-hand.
- Tie-down and secure loose outdoor equipment and materials and bring in your plants and outdoor furniture.
- Keep a disaster kit stocked with water, food, first aid supplies, clothing, bedding, tools, and special items in case of evacuation.
- Zephyrhills has a delivery service.
- Amazon’s PrimeNow service is still delivering groceries, including beverages.
- Dishwashers make great waterproof safes for things that shouldn’t get wet.
- Filling your tub with water can help you flush if you lose power. It also gives you something to do and keep your mind occupied.
- Treat intersections with de-powered traffic lights as four-way stops but really you shouldn’t even be driving. Stay off the roads.
Stay tuned to Bungalower.com throughout the weekend for updates on event cancellations, road closures, and more.
