Orange County under tropical storm watch

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings this afternoon hosted the county’s first press conference relating to Subtropical Storm Nicole.

Orange County remains under a Local State of Emergency and is one of 34 counties in a Florida State of Emergency. Currently, the county is under a tropical storm watch, which means the area could experience tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) within 48 hours.

Furthermore, Demings said the storm could dump 4 to 6 inches of rain on the county.

To prepare, Demings said the county already has begun the process of pumping down water in areas, including the hard-hit Orlo Vista area near West Orange.

As of last Saturday, Nov. 5, the county had picked up more than 150,000 cubic yards of debris since Hurricane Ian.

“We know there is more debris that needs to be picked up,” Demings said. “So, we are asking residents who haven’t had their debris taken away at this time to be cognizant of the storm drains and keep those areas unobstructed.”

The county also is asking residents to move their debris from the street and onto the grass yards of their homes, Demings said.

The county will continue picking up debris between now and Wednesday

“We’re working with our haulers to pick up as much debris as we possibly can,” Demings said.

Sandbags will be available at various locations throughout Orange County. The closest location to West Orange will be the Orange County Multi-Cultural Center at 7149 West Colonial Drive, Orlando. Residents will need to bring a shovel.

At this point, Orange County Public Schools has not announced any closures.

“It’s too soon for them to make any call regarding the opening or closing of schools,” Demings said. 

That decision likely will be made sometime Tuesday, Nov. 8, he said.

The Orange County Supervisor of Elections does not believe the storm will have any impacts on tomorrow’s election.