Idalia Guide: Running list of storm updates and cancelations

– THIS POST IS NO LONGER BEING UPDATED –

8/29 UPDATE: Governor DeSantis has expanded his State of Emergency declaration from 46 to 49 counties, including Orange.

At the time of this post, Tropical Storm Hurricane Idalia is expected to blow into the Gulf Coast of Florida as early as this Tuesday evening with heavy rainfall, life-threatening storm surge, and dangerous winds being likely. Local municipalities and Orange County are monitoring wind levels before making any declarations.

Curious about whether you should stay or not? Consider what type of home you live in and what Evacuation Zone you live in. Click HERE for your closest evacuation route care of FloridaDisaster.org, which includes data on hurricane surge flooding. And be sure to follow @citybeautiful and @orlandopolice for updated information leading up to and during the storm.

DISASTER SUPPLY KIT CHECKLIST

Don’t know what to have in your Disaster Kit? Click HERE for a handy checklist from the Division of Emergency Management for some great tips, which include things like two weeks-worth of medication, batteries, a first aid kit, a list of important phone numbers, important documents in a waterproof case, clothing, and two weeks of food and water for yourself and your pets.

• 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.
• SHELTER – Know where your nearest shelter is by clicking HERE. Shelters are managed by Orange County and are scheduled too pen Tuesday, August 29, at 1 p.m. for individuals looking for shelter from the storm. ID cards are not required for entry to a shelter and all County shelters are pet-friendly.
• CITIZEN INFORMATION LINE – Orlando residents can call 407-246-HELP in the event of downed trees, damaged traffic lights, or if they need to report home damage.
• SANDBAGS
  • Bithlo Community Park, 18501 Washington Avenue
  • Carcona Horse Park, 3535 Damon Road, Apopka
  • Downey Park, 10107 Flowers Avenue, Orlando
  • Meadow Woods Recreation Center, 1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle, Orlando
  • West Orange Recreatoin Center, 309 S. West Crown Point Road, Winter Garden
  • Rollins Softball Field Parking Lot, 452 Harper Street [GMap] – 2-6 p.m. Monday, August 28, 8 a.m.-noon Tuesday, August 29. Must show proof of Winter Park residency.

POWER GRID

Is your power out? Assuming you’re on your phone, you can use THIS LINK to report an outage with OUC or THIS LINK for Duke Energy. OUC customers can also text “REG” to 69682 to sign up for Outage Alerts on their phones.

TRANSPORTATION

• 8/28 – SunRail service will temporarily suspend starting Tuesday, August 29.
• 8/28 – LYNX bus operations will continue for Monday and will be reviewed for Tuesday and Wednesday, weather permitting.
• 8/28 – Tampa International Airport will close all commercial airline traffic at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday morning.

SCHOOL

• 8/28 – Orange County Public Schools will be open on Tuesday but are currently reviewing plans for Wednesday. After-school activities will continue until 8 p.m. will be closing on Wednesday, August 30.
• 8/28 – Lake County Schools has suspended school for August 30.
• 8/29 – Rollins College is monitoring the situation is suspending all Wednesday classes.
• 8/29 – Valencia College will close all campuses on Wednesday.
• 8/29 – UCF will suspend most campus operations on Wednesday, August 30, and resume normal ops on Thursday.
• 8/29 – AdventHealth University will close its campus on Wednesday.

LOCAL BUSINESSES DOING GOOD

• U-Haul is giving away 30 days of free self-storage at multiple locations across the state for people who are impacted by Idalia.
• Rosen Hotels and Resorts is offering discounted rates at seven of its hotels and they are pet-friendly.
• Black Rooster Taco is selling take-home margarita jugs. Get in there while supplies last.
• Pepe’s Cantina is providing complimentary bottled water pickup at all locations.
• Sunset Bodega is selling packs of water for $5.
• Jeff’s Bagel Run will be open in the morning when the storm passes, weather permitting.

UPDATES AND CANCELATIONS

VENUES, BUSINESSES, AND PARKS

• Orange County Library System will close on Wednesday, August 30.
• All City of Orlando community centers, recreation centers, pools, and swan boats will close at 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 29.
• City Hall will close on Wednesday and residential, commercial, and yard waste will not be picked up that day.
• Polasek Museum will be closed.
• Orlando Museum of Art will close for Wednesday.
• Morse Museum will close this Wednesday.
• Leu Gardens will close all day Wednesday.
• Orange County Regional History Center will be closed August 30.
• Fashion Square Mall will be closed Wednesday.
• Typhoon Lagoon will close during the storm.
• Palmer’s Garden and Goods will reopen on Thursday, weather permitting.
• Winter Park Library will not be open on Wednesday.

BARS AND RESTAURANTS

• Pigzza on Mills will close for lunch on Wednesday and plans to reopen at 4 p.m. for dinner.
• The Hen and Hog in Winter Park will close Wednesday.
• Market on South will reopen on Thursday.
• Twisted Handle will close during the storm.
• Hungry Pants will be closed until 11 a.m. Thursday.
• Wafu Taiyaki will be closed on Wednesday.
• Daybreak Diner will be closed on Wednesday.

EVENTS

• (PENDING)