Scott Powers
As Hurricane Dorian continues its trajectory toward Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis continued his statewide campaign in Orange County Friday afternoon warning for people to prepare not just for Monday’s impact – at point still uncertain – but for the days beyond.
That includes what he called a “big probability” that power outages will be major problems certainly as far north and inland as Orange County, currently about 130 miles north from the latest, 2 p.m. Friday, forecast of Dorian’s Category 4 hurricane landfall somewhere around Palm Beach County.
Together with massive amounts of rain through most of the state, the governor warned of significant flooding.
“Here in Central Florida the forecast is even if it hits in South Florida it rides up here. You still are going to get hurricane force winds. We anticipate a lot of rain. Losing power is a big probability,” DeSantis said. “You’re also an area that is prone to flooding. You’re likely to see that with this storm. It’s really, really, significant, and you need to take precautions.”
Anticipating flooding, DeSantis said Tennessee is sending in six swift-water rescue teams to help local authorities.
“As we said, we anticipate some really serious water events as a result of this. We’re going to need them. We also have [Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission]. We have other assets that are going to be involved in that,” he said.
Lake Okeechobee is expected to receive an enormous amount of water both through the storm and through drainage of everything north to Orlando. DeSantis said it currently is at 13 feet and can take more water, he said.
“But we’re cognizant that that could be an issue and we’re in contact with the [U.S.] Army Corps” of Engineers, DeSantis said.
DeSantis said it still is too soon to start calling for evacuations, since the storm’s path remains uncertain, though he said the certainty is becoming clearer.
“We’re nearing the point now where I think some of these orders are going to need to come down, and just give people in the southern part of the state, particularly, an opportunity to get in a safe place, the Governor said.
For now, however, Florida’s highways and roads are being maintained for normal traffic, in part to help let federal, state, local, and private authorities preposition equipment and supplies.
That includes gasoline, which DeSantis said is coming in now from border states, which he said have even waived their weight requirements to allow it to get to Florida quickly. In Florida, the Florida Highway Patrol is escorting the fuel trucks so that they can get to and into the gas stations despite massive lines of cars waiting for cars, DeSantis said.
When the time comes, roads’ shoulders will be opened for traffic, and some roads will be resigned as one-way evacuation routes. Tolls will be waived on toll roads.
Also on the way: the Salvation Army has 33 canteens and two field kitchens on standby and the American Red Cross is staging 80 food distribution trucks in Florida.
He also acknowledged the role that Orange County likely will play as the stopping point for Hurricane Dorian evacuees from the coast, even though Central Florida is expecting major impacts as well.
“I appreciate Orange County’s role. Obviously Orange County is going to be effected by this. But you’re going to have people fleeing some of the coastal areas to Orange County,” DeSantis said. “We appreciate you stepping up and helping your fellow Floridians.
