Whether you own your home or rent, it is important to make sure preparations around the house are done so you can feel safe and secure when the storm is moving over the area.  A storm can last anywhere from 24-48 hours, depending on the intensity and speed at which the storm passes.  Effects can be long-lasting, as seen with Hurricane Ian in 2022.  Here are some tips to help you before, during and after the storm.

Before the Storm:

Check your insurance - Make sure your insurance is up to date and you have phone numbers/emails/policy numbers to your insurance company.

Take photos - Before the storm, get photos of your home, inside and out, all rooms, including porch areas and the garage/carport area.  Have them loaded into a backup system such as a laptop or thumb drive.

Write down serial numbers - For electronics and other big-ticket items in the house.

Store important documents - Keep important documents such as birth certificates, insurance papers, passports and photos in a waterproof bin with a tightly sealed lid, should flooding occur.

Safely store outside items - statues, flags, furniture, grills, lights, plants and other decorative items used outdoors should be brought inside, placed in a secure shed, or otherwise placed in an area where the wind cannot pick them up and make them a projectile during the storm.

Secure windows - Hardware stores will have wood you can cut and place over windows.  Get this taken care of long before a hurricane comes, as there is usually a rush to get supplies.

Purchase a generator - if you do not have a generator for power, you can purchase or rent one from hardware stores.  This is another item you'll want to have in place long before a hurricane comes because of supply and demand.

Trim trees and clean gutters - Dead branches can be a hazard when they fall.  They can cause damage to your home and vehicles.  Make sure the gutters are cleaned so water can flow freely without backing up and breaking the gutter on the house.

Have a plan - Should the need to evacuate happen before a storm, have a plan that includes where you need to go and how long you would need to plan to stay there.  Take supplies for the family and pets and have a full tank of gas and cash on hand.

When the storm moves across Oviedo, it is important to have certain items on hand that are within easy reach and will last for at least three (3) days.  We have a downloadable PDF that you can use to check off items here:

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Items needed can be found at any grocery, hardware or big box store.

Water - Have a seven-day supply of water for every member of the household (including pets).  Plan for at least one gallon of water per day, per person in the house.  Bottled water is the FIRST thing to fly off the shelves at the grocery store.  Another alternative is to have pitchers of water filled and in the refrigerator.  You can also place water in the freezer and it will be icy cold if the power goes out.

Food -  Have non-perishable items in the pantry.  Bread, peanut butter, canned food, crackers and other items found at your local grocery store.  Be sure to pick up a hand-held can opener should the power go out.  Make sure your pet food supply is enough to feed your animals.

Medicine - If you take medication, have a fresh supply with you.  You may not lose power, but if your pharmacy does, you may not be able to get a refill for several days.

Batteries/Flashlights - Keep a flashlight within easy reach with fresh batteries inside.  Several light sources may be needed.  Try to avoid using real candles; they can start a house fire if forgotten about.  Use battery-operated candles instead.

Tarps/Coverings - Should there be damage to the roof/home, you will need a tarp to cover up the damage and keep rain and/or from penetrating the house.

Sandbags - The City will have a supply of free sandbags homeowners can pick up before a storm.  If you live in a low-lying area that has or could experience flooding, have sandbags ready and in place in front of doors and low windows.

First Aid Kit - Should you have an emergency at your home, have a freshly resupplied first aid kit that includes antibacterial lotion, bandages, wipes and anti-inflammatory medicines and call 9-1-1.

Portable Charger - A portable charger can extend the battery life or completely charge your wireless devices during an emergency. 

Gas -  Be sure to have gas in your vehicle in case you have to evacuate.  If you have a generator, keep extra gas in gas cans, located in a dry, non-combustible storage area. Gas lines may be long and in times of emergency, gas stations may run out.  Have patience and don't wait until your tank is on empty to fill up.

Money - Should there be widespread power outages, have cash on hand should you need to pay for goods and services.  ATMs will not work during power outages.

Emergency Contact List - Have phone numbers readily available to contact friends or family members.

Florida Department of Emergency Management

1-833-832-4494

Seminole County Department of Emergency Management

(407) 665-5102

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Helpline - 1-800-621-3362

National Hurricane Center

You'll always want to practice safety measures before, during and especially after a major storm.  Please follow these safety guidelines and remember if you are having an emergency situation, always call 9-1-1. 

Watch local newscasts to follow the track of the storm and give yourself plenty of time to be ready.

Pre-Storm Prep

If you are trimming trees, make sure you are nowhere near power lines.  Power lines can kill.

If you are using a ladder to prep windows outside, have a second person help, if possible, to make sure the ladder is secure.

Avoid Heat Exhaustion and dehydration by taking breaks and drinking plenty of water.  

During the Storm

Stay inside!  Keep yourself, children and pets indoors during the storm.  Strong winds can and will send debris flying.

If the power goes out, do not panic.  Use your flashlights to see around in the dark and continue to monitor storm situations on your phone.

If you have evacuated your home and are in a shelter or another residence/hotel, do not leave in the middle of the storm to check on your home.  Wait until the roadways are cleared and safe to travel on.

If water is rising inside of your home, head to the highest level of the house that you can and call 9-1-1.

Should you lose power, unplug appliances and electronics.  Should the power come back on, a power surge could ruin electronics.

After the storm

Wear sturdy shoes/boots going outside.  There could be varying degrees of dangerous debris in and around your yard.

Wear heavy gloves for clean up.

If you see a downed line, DO NOT TOUCH.  The power line could be live.  Do not move a line, do not go near a line.  Call 9-1-1 to report it.

If you are in a vehicle and there is water in the road, turn around, don't drown.  The depth of water can be deceptive.  If you are driving or walking into a known flood area, currents can sweep you away and become deadly.  Even six inches of fast-moving water can pull a person down if they are wading in it.  Cars can be pulled into rivers and streams. 

If you are using a generator, keep it at least 20 feet from the house.  Do not put it in a closed garage, near open windows or open doors.  Generators emit carbon monoxide which can be deadly if fumes are inhaled.  Carbon Monoxide poisoning leads the list as people use generators to power homes.  Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include nausea, headaches, dizziness and vomiting.  Call 9-1-1 right away if you suspect the gas has come into your home. 

Stay off the road at night.  Drivers cannot see downed trees or power poles until it is too late.  

We want all residents to understand how Hurricane Debris pickup works long before a storm passes. We have a comprehensive list of what you need to do after a storm has passed and it is safe enough to go outside. The most asked questions and confusion come after the storm has passed.  Please review these guidelines before the storm to reduce confusion.

1. Assess the damage around your home. If you live in an area with powerlines; are any dangling from the pole into your yard?  You may not see downed powerlines beneath the debris. If you see a line is down, do not go into the yard to start removing debris. If there is a live wire, you may get electrocuted. Report the downed powerline before working in the yard.

2. When it is safe to remove debris, assess what you need to remove. Large trees? Limbs? Is it just sticks and leaves? 

3. Wear a protective covering. Gloves, eye covering if you're dealing with large branches, long pants, boots.  There may be insects or snakes beneath the debris that can bite or sting. If you have to use heavy equipment (chainsaw, front-end loader) make sure you know how to use it first and follow the manufacturer's guidelines.

4. If you want to bag or put your yard debris in a bin, know that Waste Pro will take it on your scheduled yard waste day. Waste Pro has a ten (10) bag limit. Anything over that will be picked up the following week. (10 at a time).  

5. Large Hurricane Debris items should be left for a contractor to collect. Waste Pro will not take unbundled, uncut branches. The City will hire a contractor to do large hauls. This debris must be left unbagged, unbinned and at the curb by the street.  

• Do not place debris on the sidewalk
• Do not place debris in the street
• Do not place debris in front of a fire hydrant
• Avoid placing debris directly under power lines or in front of an electrical box

6. Residents and Yard Clearing companies can take vegetative debris to the Seminole County Landfill or Seminole County Transfer station when the sites open. The City usually opens a site after a storm where debris can be dropped off as an alternative to waiting.

7. When will the contractor pick up my debris/can I get a day/date for the pickup?  Pick-up can take several weeks depending on the amount of debris. We cannot give a day/date/time when the hauler will be in any given neighborhood. 

Waste Pro schedules may shift in the event of a storm. Their trucks cannot do pick-ups when the storm is approaching. The city and Waste Pro will provide a schedule of when they can safely haul.  Due to variable issues, This schedule may change as the storm passes.  Please be patient and know changes can happen at the last minute. 

After a hurricane, there will be debris in nearly every neighborhood.  We have an easy guide for you to use on how to take care of your debris so that it will be picked up.

We asked that everyone PLEASE BE PATIENT with debris pick up. There are contracted haulers who will be going through every single neighborhood to pick up debris. This takes time. It could take several weeks.

Follow this guide below so you can make sure your debris is ready to be picked up.  You must separate your debris into the following categories:

• Normal Household Trash
• Vegetative Debris
• Construction or Demolition Debris

PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES FOR HURRICANE DEBRIS: