Seminole County warns of prolonged hurricane, opens shelters and distributes sandbags

A Seminole County official warned residents that a "very strong" hurricane expected to linger could bring high winds, 12–15 inches of rain and widespread flooding, and urged people to seek shelter or otherwise secure property and pets.

The official said county government and municipal offices are closed, the county landfill remains open until 5:30 p.m. for yard waste and garbage and today is the last day of curbside collection before the storm. "Please secure your yard waste so it does not become a flying missile during the event," the official said, and added that organizers have handed out more than 200,000 sandbags.

Why it matters: Officials warned of extended power outages and flood risk across Seminole County, and described steps to protect people and critical infrastructure. An evacuation order for low‑lying areas, mobile homes and people with special needs is expected to be signed at 8:00 a.m., coinciding with shelter openings.

Seminole County will open eight shelters at 8:00 a.m., three of which are designated for residents with medical or mobility needs. The county listed shelters at Lyman High School, Crystal Lake Elementary School, Midway Elementary School and Winter Springs High School, and said pet‑friendly spaces are being set up at some locations. "Shelters are last resort — they are not glamorous, they are not cruise ships; this is a lifeboat," the county official said, urging evacuees to bring clothing, bedding, medications and comfort items.

Seminole County Public Schools Superintendent Serita Beeman said district facilities and staff are supporting shelter operations. Beeman told attendees that schools and after‑school programs are canceled through Friday (dates referenced in the briefing) and that district teams will assess campuses for damage over the weekend, with parents to be notified by phone, email and social media.

Seminole County Health Officer Dr. Johnson described the special‑needs shelters: they are intended for residents who depend on electricity for medical devices or who need nursing monitoring. Dr. Johnson urged people to bring medications, medical equipment, caregiver support when possible and any specialty foods, and strongly encouraged pre‑registration for special‑needs sheltering via the county preparedness website or the citizens information line.

The Seminole County Sheriff (unnamed in the briefing) said deputies and partner police agencies will staff shelter sites 24 hours a day and will perform identity and background checks on arrivals. The sheriff also noted a separate shelter option at the sheriff’s headquarters for people who are required to register as sex offenders.

Officials cautioned that many traffic signals may lose power and urged motorists to treat unlit intersections as four‑way stops. They warned that power outages could affect a large share of customers for weeks and that travel during peak winds will be hazardous. In a public question-and-answer exchange, officials said almost every household pet will be considered for admission to pet‑friendly shelters if owners bring proper containment and records.

Several forecasts and hydrology briefs were cited as the basis for the county’s actions. Officials repeatedly recommended that residents relocate now if they are debating evacuation, and they said transportation assistance to shelters can be requested through the county hotline and online resources.

The briefing closed after a Spanish‑language translator was called forward to repeat key instructions.