ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – During a press conference on Hurricane Milton, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings invited Glen Gilzean, the Supervisor of Elections, to give an update on the status of local elections.

Gilzean reassured residents that election operations remain on schedule despite the challenges posed by the storm, highlighting that contingency plans are in place to ensure smooth voting.

Gilzean explained that the Supervisor of Elections office temporarily lost power due to Hurricane Milton, but Orange County Government quickly stepped in to assist his office. “The safety of poll workers and voters is our top priority,” Gilzean stated, adding that they are working closely with local authorities to address any other potential issues.

Voters were also reminded of the three available ways to cast their ballots:

• Vote by mail
• Early voting
• In-person voting on Election Day

Gilzean emphasized that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure a safe and accessible election for all eligible voters in the county, despite the ongoing recovery efforts.

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J Willie David, III contributed to this report.
news@FloridaNationalNews.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – As Hurricane Milton moves out of the area, the City of Orlando is actively assessing damage and working to restore services across affected neighborhoods. Emergency response crews are addressing downed trees, traffic light disruptions, and power outages, while urging residents to stay cautious as recovery efforts continue.

Key Updates for Residents:

• Power Restoration:
  • OUC is restoring power to more than 69,000 customers affected by the storm. Report outages by calling 407-423-9018 or texting “OUT” to 69682.
• Citizen Information Line:
  • The Citizen Information Line (407-246-HELP) remains operational for reporting damage, downed trees, and out-of-service traffic lights.
• Limit Water Usage:
  • To prevent strain on the water reclamation system, residents are asked to limit water usage (laundry, dishes, showers, flushing toilets) until further notice.
• Lakes & Flooding:
  • Streets and Stormwater crews are monitoring high-water levels. Avoid contact with standing water, lakes, or any recreational activities in affected areas.
• Tree and Debris Removal:
  • Crews are actively removing downed trees, with 27 trees currently blocking roadways.
• Traffic Light Restoration:
  • Transportation staff is working to restore power to 408 traffic devices. Currently, 20 lights are without power, 24 are flashing, and 360 have lost communication.
• Neighborhood Centers & Recreation Facilities:
  • After School Programs will reopen on Friday, October 11 at 7:30 a.m. for pre-enrolled students.
• Debris & Trash Pickup:
  • Debris collection begins on Friday, October 11, 2024. Residents can assist by:
    • Placing debris at the curb, not in the street.
    • Bagging and bundling yard waste.
    • Separating yard waste from building materials.
• City Parking Garages:
  • Vehicles parked in city garages must be removed by 12 p.m., Friday, October 11.
• City Hall & Services:
  • City Hall and other city facilities will reopen on Friday, October 11 for regular business hours.

Safety Reminders:

• Avoid driving through standing water and treat intersections with non-functioning traffic lights as four-way stops.

Stay Informed:

• Visit the city’s website at orlando.gov/storm or follow the City of Orlando on Facebook and Twitter (@citybeautiful) for real-time updates.