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Emergency management briefs board on hurricane risks; chief prepares to retire
Summary
Emergency Management, Public Works and Utilities presented the 2025 season review and 2026 outlook, stressing rapid intensification, increasing flood and tornado risk during a Super El Niño and preparedness measures. Chief Lorelai Avery was recognized on her pending retirement.
Carlos Durden, who will transition to serve full time as Orange County Emergency Manager, presented the county’s 2025 hurricane‑season review and 2026 preparedness outlook. Durden emphasized rapid intensification—storms that strengthen quickly in 24–72 hours—and warned the board that a Super El Niño pattern could bring different risks this season, including heavier winter rainfall and more tornado activity.
Durden and public‑works Deputy Director Brett Blackadar highlighted operational preparations: lake‑level monitoring, pump inspections, real‑time flood‑forecasting work supported by recent grants, sandbag distribution sites, and the county’s debris‑removal contracts and citizen drop sites. Utilities Deputy Mark Cannata described generator exercises at regional facilities, stationary and mobile generator readiness, SCADA dashboards for pump‑station monitoring and mutual‑aid coordination through Florida WARN.
Commissioners asked about resident alerts, shelter capacity and notification tools. Durden urged residents to sign up for OCFL Alert, keep weather‑radio notifications enabled, and consider portable battery or small inverter backup systems rather than unsafe gas generators. Chief Lorelai Avery, who announced retirement from the Fire Rescue/Emergency Management leadership role, was publicly thanked for decades of service.
What’s next: Staff will continue public outreach (hurricane expo and OC Alert enrollment), finalize shelter readiness plans, exercise interagency coordination and prepare the county for rapid intensification scenarios.
Attribution: Carlos Durden led the briefing; Brett Blackadar and Mark Cannata presented public‑works and utilities preparedness details; Chief Lorelai Avery gave concluding remarks.
