Orlando Irma Latest: Sept. 9 Hurricane Updates & Path

Orlando, Florida remains under peril from Hurricane Irma, with hurricane conditions possible for Sunday and Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service.

What are the latest updates for Orlando and for Orange County? Here’s key information that you need to know, as of the morning of September 9:

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Storm Path & Forecast

Orlando remains in the projected path of the massive storm, and there is a hurricane warning for Orange County.

The September 9 forecast shows the projected hurricane conditions for the city:

However, some of the recent spaghetti models now show that, after it shifted eastward, the storm is now shifting to the west.

Here are the September 9 projected arrival times:

See recent Orlando weather here and an updated radar map for the city here.

The National Weather Service wrote on September 9: “Dangerous Hurricane Irma continues to move west-northwest along the north coast of Cuba. Irma is expected to turn toward the north-northwest later today and then cross the Florida Keys as an intense hurricane early Sunday morning. Irma is forecast to move north and reach the southwest Florida coast Sunday evening as a strong hurricane, and then move northward across the western peninsula through early Monday morning.

Irma is a large hurricane and will produce far-reaching effects regardless of where the exact center of the storm moves. Winds of strong tropical storm to Category 1 hurricane force, especially in gusts, are expected to produce considerable damage well east of Irma`s track, extending across east central Florida.

There remains a significant threat for flooding rains, and a Flood Watch continues for all of east central Florida. Heavy rain, especially in squalls, will increase in coverage and frequency across east central Florida tonight, and especially on Sunday through early Monday. Although Irma will be moving steadily northward, it will produce 8 to 12 inches of rain with locally higher amounts of 15 to 20 inches in areas which receive frequent or persistent squall bands.”

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Evacuations & Shelters

At 6 p.m. on September 8, Orange County issued a mandatory evacuation notice for residents of mobile homes due to “expected impact.” Mandatory evacuation orders were not been issued for other residents of Orange County, which includes Orlando, as of that date and time, something that could always change as the storm remains unpredictable.

“In the interest of public safety, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs issued a mandatory evacuation notice to all residents living in mobile homes in Orange County,” the country’s release said. “These structures are particularly high risk for storm-related damage and the order has been issued in an effort to preserve the safety of those residents. Upon notice to evacuate, residents are expected to make final preparations and plans to seek shelter prior to the onset of Hurricane Irma which is anticipated to affect Central Florida beginning Sunday morning.”

The county added: “At this time, Orange County Fire Rescue personnel are going door-to-door in various communities to deliver the evacuation notice.”

Orange County is planning to open shelters at 9 a.m. Saturday, officials said at a press conference on September 7, for those who feel it’s necessary. This is the list of shelters in Orange County:

Shelter Name Address Type of Shelter
Apopka High School 555 Martin St. Apopka, FL 32712 General Population
Colonial High School 6100 Oleander Dr. Orlando, FL 32807 General Population
East River High School 654 Columbia School Rd. Orlando, FL 32833 General Population
Edgewater High School 3100 Edgewater Dr. Orlando, FL 32804 General Population
Memorial Middle School 2220 29th St. Orlando, FL 32805 General Population
Odyssey Middle School 9290 Lee Vista Blvd. Orlando, FL 32829 General Population
West Orange High School 1625 Beulah Rd., Winter Garden, FL 34787 General Population
Barnett Park Community Center 4801 W. Colonial Dr. Orlando, FL 32808 General Population * Pet Friendly
Bithlo Community Center 18501 Washington Ave. Orlando, FL 32820 General Population *Pet Friendly

“No evacuations have been ordered in Orange County,” the county had previously announced on September 8 in a press release that rounded up information on the storm.

There were no city activated evacuations in addition to the county one.

The county added this update:

“UPDATE: Second host shelter is now open at Meadow Woods Middle School, 1800 Rhode Island Wood Circle.

Orange County has opened Ocoee High School, 1925 Ocoee Crown Point Parkway, as a shelter to host evacuees coming from South Florida and coastal communities of Florida this evening. The shelter is now open.

Evacuees are asked to ensure that any pets are in crates, have leashes, food, water, and medications for animals traveling with them, along with proof of vaccination.”

See a shelter list for Orange County here.

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Airport

The airport will be closing.

“Orlando International Airport will cease commercial flights at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept., 9, 2017. Guests are asked to check their current flight status with their airlines,” the county says.

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Parking Fees Waived

Orlando said in its roundup of September 8 information that “The City will waive parking fees for the following parking garages beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 9, for any resident who would like to park a car in a covered garage.

· Central Blvd Garage

· Jefferson Garage

· Orange County Administration Garage

· Library Garage

· Centroplex 1

All cars should be removed by 8 a.m. Tuesday, September 12, dependent on weather and road conditions.”

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City Services

City Hall: Closed 9/11
Trash/Recycle Pick-up: No pick up 9/10 – 9/11
Yard Waste/Debris: No pick up 9/10 – 9/11
Parks Facilities: Closed 9/10-9/11
Recreation Facilities: Closed 9/9-9/10
Community Centers: Closed 9/8 at 5 p.m.
Parking Garages: Fees waived for specific garages during storm

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Schools

Schools will be closed for Friday and Monday.

“On Sept. 7, 2017, at 8:27 p.m., Gov. Rick Scott ordered all public K-12 schools closed in the state of Florida beginning Friday, Sept. 8 and including Monday, Sept. 11. Orange County Public Schools is following the Governor’s order,” the county says.

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Hotels

They were nearing capacity. “Orange County Government continues to closely monitor the availability of hotel rooms in the tri-county area of Central Florida. Through the assistance of Visit Orlando, we have determined that the available hotels are near capacity,” the county wrote. “It is important to note that this situation is very fluid and small amounts of individual rooms may continue to open up due to group meetings being canceled or hotel cancellation policies being more flexible or lifted if a hurricane warning for Orlando is issued. The Visitor Information team is prepared to respond and help evacuees with frequently requested information and resources. Visitors coming to the area can reach us at: Call 800-972-3304; Online with live chat at VisitOrlando.com/Hurricane. Also check Twitter and Facebook – @VisitOrlando – for updates.”

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Sandbags

As of 3 p.m. Thursday, more than 66,000 sandbags had been distributed in Orange County. “Due to the extreme high demand at several Orange County sandbag distribution locations, cars currently waiting to be served might not reach the service point by 7 p.m.” Thursday, the county said.

People were asked to return on Friday. “Our intention is to serve all residents by our closing hour of 7 p.m. in an efficient manner for efficient traffic flow and service. Distribution locations will reopen on Friday, Sept. 8, 2017. For sandbag distribution locations, please visit www.ocfl.net/sandbags. For information on Hurricane Irma, visit www.ocfl.net/Irma.”

As for the City of Orlando specifically, this is the information on sandbags:

Sandbag Distribution Times

Friday, September 8 from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

“Residents must arrive at one of the sandbag locations by 4:45 p.m. We have a limited supply of bags so if you have your own bags to fill (40-pound capacity), please bring them with you. Shovels are provided, but please bring a passenger to help fill the bags so more residents can be served.”

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Curfews

There were none on the morning of September 8.

Disney World & Theme Parks

Get the latest information on Disney World and Irma here: