Hurricane Irma: Sandbag Information For Orlando, Orange County Residents

ORLANDO, FL — Hurricane Irma is barreling toward Florida, and local authorities are warning residents to be on alert, informing Floridians about potential impacts and what they need to do to prepare for the Category 4 storm.

In Orlando, no evacuations have been ordered, but sandbags are being distributed in preparation for Irma. On Friday, sandbags will be distributed between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations:

• City of Orlando Streets and Stormwater Division 1010 Woods Ave., Orlando, FL 32805
• Camping World Stadium. Please access site from Tampa Avenue.

Residents must arrive at one of the sandbag locations by 4:45 p.m. All residents must show proof of residence and will be given 10 bags per address. (For the latest on Irma and up to date information for Orlando residents, subscribe to the Orlando Patch for real time alerts.)

Sandbag operations were activated through Friday.

Watch: Florida Braces As Irma Rips Across The Caribbean

"We have a limited supply of bags so if you have your own bags to fill (40-pound capacity), please bring them with you," the city said. "Shovels are provided, but please bring a passenger to help fill the bags so more residents can be served."

City officials said Orlando residents can expect a significant wait due to high demand.

Meanwhile, city officials have also provided information on city services during the storm:

• City Hall: Closed 9/11
• Trash/recycle pickup: No pick up 9/10 – 9/11
• Yard waste/debris: No pick up 9/10 – 9/11Orange County Public Schools: Closed 9/8, 9/11
• Parks facilities: Closed 9/10-9/11
• Recreation facilities: Closed 9/9-9/11
• Community centers: Closed 9/8 at 5 p.m.
• Parking garages: Fees waived for specific garages during storm

Sandbags are also being distributed to Orange County residents at the following locations between 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday. Residents must show proof of residency and can collect up to 10 sandbags per vehicle:

• Bithlo 18753 Old Cheney Highway
• Goldenrod 2530 North Forsyth Road
• John Young 4200 South John Young Parkway
• Taft 11442 Intermodal Way
• West Orange 644 Beulah Road
• Zellwood 3400 Golden Gem Road

Shelters have opened to Orange County residents starting Saturday at 9 a.m. Click here to see a full list of shelters.

By 8 a.m. Saturday, Irma had downgraded to a Category 4 storm after making landfall in Cuba. Still packing maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, the storm had forced hurricane warnings to go up along much of Florida’s west coast, from the tip to Chassahowitzka in Citrus County. Storm surge warnings were also in place from Volusia and Brevard counties on the east side of the state around the peninsula to Chassahowitzka. Warnings mean that hurricane and storm surge conditions are expected within the warning area within 36 hours.

Sandbags photo by Diana Fredlund, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Patch editor Sherri Lonon contributed to this report.