Oakland commission ratifies local state of emergency as Hurricane Milton nears

The Town of Oakland commission voted to ratify a proclamation declaring a local state of emergency tied to Hurricane Milton, effective Oct. 7, 2024.

Mayor Jane Taylor introduced the ratification motion and said the town has been coordinating with Orange County Emergency Operations and monitoring National Weather Service briefings as the storm’s landfall remained unpredictable. "It's still an unpredictable storm," Taylor said, urging residents to make preparations and to follow county and town guidance.

Town staff reported proactive preparations: more than 2,800 sandbags have been distributed, recycling pickup for Wednesday was canceled and the Oakland Nature Preserve will be closed Wednesday and Thursday. The town advised residents to secure containers, separate vegetation from household debris after the storm and follow the town website and Facebook for updates. "The town has handed out over 2,800 sandbags," a town staff member said.

Officials said the municipal water system has generator backup and asked residents to turn off irrigation systems to reduce demand if power is lost. Duke Energy has linemen staged in the area, and the police department said it will run the EOC and participate in county coordination calls; officials warned residents not to venture into damaged areas until public works and police complete safety assessments.

The commission’s ratification was put on the record and carried by voice vote. The town announced that town hall would be closed for certain days during the storm response and that essential personnel would remain on duty as needed. The commission urged residents to heed any curfew orders that may be issued following coordination with Orange County.