NEWS RELEASE
FROM THE OSCEOLA COUNTY JOINT INFORMATION CENTER (JIC)
Monday, September 26, 2022
IAN-02
OSCEOLA COUNTY UPDATE FOR HURRICANE IAN
Osceola County, Florida – Osceola County leaders are continuing to monitor the path of Hurricane Ian and urge the public to remain prepared and alert for any severe weather conditions – including high winds and flooding.
A Declaration of Local Emergency (Resolution #22-458R) for Osceola County was executed, effective September 25 through October 1, 2022.
The Osceola Emergency Operations Center is currently at Level 2 status with plans to move to the highest Level 1 status beginning Wednesday, September 28.
The Citizen Information Center hotline (407-742-0000) remains available for citizens that have specific questions or need to speak with an Osceola County representative.
School Closures:
All Osceola district public schools will be closed for the next three days (Sept. 27, 28, and 29) due to Hurricane Ian. All school activities, events, and programs scheduled for these days are canceled. At this time, no decision has been made regarding school on Friday (Sept. 30). School dismissal today (Sept. 26) took place as normal, and students were instructed to bring their computer devices home. No Osceola School District employee should report to work on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday unless directed by their supervisor.
Superintendent Pace is in constant communication with the Osceola County’s Emergency Management Office regarding the impending storm. A number of Osceola schools are needed as early as tomorrow for shelters for residents in Osceola County, as well as for those Floridians evacuating from coastal counties. Forecasters are expecting deteriorating weather conditions over the next several days to include sustained heavy winds and possible substantial rainfall and flooding for Osceola County.
Parents and community residents are encouraged to monitor the district’s website at www.osceolaschools.net and social media pages for any further school district updates. Parents will receive call-out messages and Remind texts with updated information.
Sandbag Operations:
Sandbags will continue to be available tomorrow, September 27, at Osceola Heritage Park, in partnership between Osceola County and the cities of Kissimmee and St. Cloud.
- Osceola Heritage Park, (Shakerag Road): 1211 Shakerag Road, Kissimmee FL 34744
- Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (weather permitting), on Tuesday, September 27
Supplies will be provided including bags and sand. Residents are allowed 25 sandbags per household and will need to bring their own shovel or filling tool. Supplies are limited, and sandbags will be available for filling on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additionally, the City of St. Cloud will open a local sandbag distribution site on Tuesday for convenience of local residents. Sandbags will be available Tuesday, September 27, from 12 to 7 p.m. at the Civic Center, 3001 17th St. (Limit of 15 sandbags, and you must fill them yourself.)
Shelter Information:
The Osceola County Special Needs Shelter will open on Tuesday, September 27, at 2 p.m. at the Council on Aging, located at 700 Generation Point, Kissimmee, FL 34744. Please remember that individuals staying at the special needs shelter should bring medicine and other vital supplies including oxygen or other electric medical devices. For more information, please call the Osceola County Special Needs hotline at 407-742-9001
Osceola County’s three general population shelters will open on Tuesday, September 27, at 2 p.m. Those general population shelters are:
- Celebration High School – 1809 Celebration Boulevard, Celebration, FL 34747
- Kissimmee Middle School (Pet-Friendly) – 210 Dyer Boulevard, Kissimmee, FL 34741
- Harmony High School – 3601 Arthur J Gallagher Boulevard, St Cloud, FL 34771
Flood Advisory:
There is a Flood Watch in Osceola County. Estimated rain amounts may exceed 10 inches with locally higher amounts to 12 inches. Heavy rainfall may produce flooding countywide. Be prepared to take safe, quick action if flooding occurs.
All boat ramps operated by Osceola County will be closed 24 hours prior to any potential impacts from Hurricane Ian. They will reopen following the storm and a quick damage assessment. Please contact 407-742-8653 for further information.
Residents should stay informed by monitoring weather reports and by receiving emergency phone alerts through Osceola’s free AlertOsceola service, by texting the word “alertosceola” to 888777.
For more resources to prepare for severe weather, please visit readyosceola.org.
A press briefing with Osceola County leaders will occur tomorrow, Tuesday, September 27, at 11 a.m. at the Osceola County Emergency Operations Center, 2586 Partin Settlement Road, Kissimmee.