Utilities providers are hoping to have power restored to 72,000 remaining Orange County customers by Sunday night.
During a Saturday briefing from Orange County officials, Orlando Utilities Commission reported just under 7,000 customers without power as of this morning. The company expects to return power to all of those customers by midnight on Saturday.
Duke Energy currently has 65,000 customers without power and expects complete restoration by midnight on Sunday.
Both companies have stated that a few homes with heavy flooding will take longer for complete restoration of power.
Approximately 12,000 inspections have been performed on homes and buildings with storm damage. The majority of those inspections showed that the buildings were “safe for habitability,” according to Orange County officials.
Many streets around the community are still flooded, and officials say that all lakes and rivers will be closed until further notice. Public boat ramps are also currently closed, and officials are asking all residents to refrain from any recreational activity in local bodies of water.
Orange County will resume curbside residential collection of yard waste in unincorporated Orange County on Monday, October 3. Transfer stations are open today and on Sunday, October 2, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for residents of Orange County. Normal operating hours will resume on Monday.
There were approximately 200 people staying in 4 different shelters across the county as of Saturday. Those residents were bussed to Renaissance Community Center on Econlockhatchee Trail, which is operated by the American Red Cross and Salvation Army.
Orange County was added to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance for Florida. For assistance, visit www.disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-3362.