Emergency Documents
Emergency Order 1 – Hurricane Milton
Updated 10/15 3:30 pm
INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE:
FEMA has declared Seminole County as a designated disaster area following Hurricane Milton. Residents can apply NOW for Individual Assistance through FEMA. For more information or to start the application, go to www.disasterassistance.gov FEMA has a help hotline for assistance 7 AM – 10 PM, 7 days a week. Please call 800.621.3362.
Water & Sewer Utilities
Please conserve water. Like almost every other municipal system affected by the Hurricane, the City of Sanford’s water reclamation system is at capacity. Please avoid using dishwashers and doing laundry, flush toilets sparingly when possible, and keep trash out of toilets including hygiene products and all wipes (wet wipes, ‘flushable’ wipes, sanitizer wipes). The After Hours Service line can be reached at 407.688.5100 until the City’s Utilities Customer Service windows open in City Hall on Monday, October 14, 2024.
Flooding and Roadways
We expect flooding to recede in some areas but rise in others over the next few days. Please do not enter or drive through floodwater. Exercise extreme caution around floodwater as it can be dangerous with live electrical wires or other hazardous debris or wildlife present and make you vulnerable to infectious diseases, chemical hazards, and injuries. If you must be on the road, be courteous and provide linemen with extra space to repair electrical, traffic and communication lines. Treat intersections without traffic signals as a four-way stop. Please do not drive through standing water.
Damage Assessment
Residents are encouraged to report property damage that occurred during the storm. Complete the form in the Damage Assessment section at PrepareSeminole.org. These reports help us understand where the damage is located to help ensure FEMA funding.
Storm Damage Repair
Homeowners and contractors need to be vigilant about getting repairs made quickly and correctly to storm-damaged properties in the aftermath of a declared emergency. It is important for citizens to be aware that work done without a permit may not be covered by homeowners’ insurance. If you have questions, please call the City of Sanford’s Building Division during normal business hours Mon.-Thurs. 7:00 am-5:30 pm and Fridays, 8:00 am-1:00 pm at 407.688.5150. See their Information Sheet for guidelines.
City Facility Reopening
The Downtown Sanford Marina is open. The public boat ramps are closed due to high water. The St. John’s River will crest to flooding stages. As of Friday, October 11, North Palmetto Avenue and Marina Isle are open for business. Tiger Dams have been placed to minimize flooding to allow access to businesses. Seminole Boulevard is currently closed from Park Avenue to Sanford Avenue. This closure will be extended as the St. John’s River crests next week. Staff will continue to monitor and provide updates.
City Parks Reopening
Paw Park and James Dunn Park are closed with downed power lines. The Splash Pad in Ft. Mellon Park will remain closed for the season. Our Parks and Recreation team will continue their debris removal and safety checks of all of Parks.
Due to the amount of storm debris from Hurricane Milton and the extensive cleanup efforts involved, the scheduled Community Clean Up Day’s for October 2024 have been canceled. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience during this difficult time.
Solid Waste/Recycling/Regular Yard Waste
SOLID WASTE/RECYCLING/REGULAR YARD WASTE
- Regularly scheduled collection services for garbage and recycle will resume on Monday, October 14. There will be no additional make up days.Waste Pro will prioritize garbage and recycle collection.Regular yard waste collection on Wednesdays may take several weeks to catch up, please be patient. Once yard waste resumes on Wednesdays, Waste Pro will begin collecting canned and bagged yard waste ONLY.
Storm Debris
- The City of Sanford will begin STORM DEBRIS (VEGETATION ONLY) Pick-Up on Wednesday, October 16 at 8 AM.This is a Friendly Reminder to have your LOOSE vegetative storm debris at the curb/ not in the street.FENCES, FURNITURE or BUILDING DEBRIS WILL NOT BE PICKED UP.Mixed piles WILL NOT BE PICKED UP.Thank you for your patience and cooperation. We will get to your neighborhood/home as soon as possible. www.sanfordfl.gov
- Contracted storm debris haulers will begin collection of vegetative debris piles (such as branches, tree trunks and logs). We will update their expected schedule of service when the details are finalized. Please separate this debris from all other materials, leave it loose (no bags, no containers) in front of your home and ensure the piles are kept off streets, sidewalks, storm drains, and are positioned away from fire hydrants, mailboxes, water meter boxes or other structures. If possible, cut branches and logs into 4-foot sections.Residents may drop-off storm debris directly to the Seminole County Landfill, located at 1930 E. Osceola Rd., Geneva. For hours of operation and disposal fees, please contact 407.665.2260
October Community Clean Up
- Due to the amount of storm debris from Hurricane Milton and the extensive cleanup efforts involved, the scheduled Community Clean Up Day’s for October 2024 have been CANCELED. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience during his difficult time.
Stay Informed
We encourage you to monitor our social media channels and consider downloading our mobile app, Sanford Connects to keep up-to-date with timely notifications.
- The City of Sanford | Facebook | X FKA Twitter | Instagram | Nextdoor
- City of Sanford Police Department | Facebook | X FKA Twitter | Instagram |
- City of Sanford Fire Department | Facebook
- Seminole County | Facebook | X FKA Twitter | Instagram | Nextdoor
- Residents are also encouraged to register for emergency alerts through Alert Seminole – a free emergency electronic-notification system.
- NOAA Weather Radios – Station 012117 [Note: Seminole County is serviced by two transmitters: Orlando (162.475mhz) and Daytona Beach (162.400mhz). If your radio does not receive a clear signal, change to the other transmitter for better reception. Service reception to a county depends on a reliable signal, which typically extends in about a 40 mile radius from the transmitter.]
- The National Water Prediction Service
Utility Provider Contacts
Consider all downed power lines and anything touching them energized and DANGEROUS! Do not go near them and report the problem to your utility provider or call 911. Report power outages directly to your service provider. If you come up to an intersection where the power is out, consider the intersection as four-way stop.
- Duke Energy: If you see a fallen power line or safety hazard involving our equipment, call Duke Energy at 800.769.3766 or call 911 immediately. Do not touch a power line or anything in contact with it, and keep others away until help arrives. To report an outage 1) Text “OUT” to 57801; 2) call 800.228.8485; or 3) contact them on-line here. Visit Duke Energy’s Storm Center page for more resources and download their mobile app.
- Florida Power and Light (FPL): Call 866.263.9186 immediately to report a dangerous condition such as a downed power line. To report an outage 1) call 800.468.8243 or 2) contact them online here. Visit FPL’s Storm Center page for more resources.
- Spectrum Enterprise: Report an outage by calling 888.812.2591 or online at Spectrum
- TECO/PEOPLES GAS: If you suspect a natural gas leak, immediately move to safety – 300 feet or about the length of a football field – and call 911 then call 877.832.6747. Visit the Teco/Peoples Gas Storm Safety page for more resources.
Storm Safety and Preparation Tips – Generator Safety
Updated 10/8 12:30 PM
The City of Sanford Fire Department reminds residents to never use generators indoors including homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, and other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even those with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent carbon monoxide (CO) build-up in the home. Improper use of a generator can be extremely dangerous as carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that is highly poisonous. Do not use a generator indoors or within 20 feet of your home or other structures.
The Florida Department of Health recommends the following precautions:
- Do not burn charcoal or gas grills inside a house, garage, vehicle, tent, or fireplace.
- NEVER use a generator indoors, including homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, and other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even those with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO build-up in the home.
- ALWAYS locate the unit at least 20 feet from your residence outdoors on a dry surface, away from doors, windows, vents, and air conditioning equipment that could allow CO to flow indoors. Follow the generator instructions.
- REMEMBER that you cannot see or smell CO. Portable generators can produce high levels of CO very quickly.
- If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY. DO NOT DELAY.
- If you have a poisoning emergency, call your nearest Florida Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911 immediately.
- Have enough fuel on hand and ensure the stored fuel is not too old or degraded.
- Test your generator for an extended period of time to make sure it works or have a professional inspect it.
IF YOU ARE UNDER A HURRICANE WARNING, FIND SAFE SHELTER RIGHT AWAY
- Determine how best to protect yourself from high winds and flooding.
- Listen for emergency information and alerts.
- Only use generators outdoors and away from windows.
- Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters.
- Know your area’s risk of hurricanes.
- Sign up for Alert Seminole. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
- If you are at risk for flash flooding, watch for warning signs such as heavy rain.
- Practice going to a safe shelter for high winds, such as a FEMA safe room or ICC 500 storm shelter. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room in a sturdy building on the lowest level that is not subject to flooding.
- Based on your location and community plans, make your own plans for evacuation or sheltering in place.
- Become familiar with your evacuation zone, the evacuation route, and shelter locations.
- Gather needed supplies for at least three days. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Don’t forget the needs of pets.
- Keep important documents in a safe place or create password-protected digital copies.
- Protect your property. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves in plumbing to prevent backups. Consider hurricane shutters. Review insurance policies.
- Bookmark your city or county website for quick access to storm updates and emergency instructions.
- Bring loose, lightweight objects inside that could become projectiles in high winds (e.g., patio furniture, garbage cans); anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside (e.g., propane tanks); and trim or remove trees close enough to fall on the building.
- Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” exterior grade or marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install.
- Turn on your TV/radio, or check your city/county website every 30 minutes in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
- Charge your cell phone now so you will have a full battery in case you lose power.
- If you’re not in an area that is recommended for evacuation, plan to stay at home or where you are and let friends and family know where you are.
- Close storm shutters, and stay away from windows. Flying glass from broken windows could injure you.
- Turn your refrigerator or freezer to the coldest setting and open only when necessary. If you lose power, food will last longer. Keep a thermometer in the refrigerator to be able to check the food temperature when the power is restored.
- Turn on your TV/radio, or check your city/county website every 30 minutes in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
- If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Do not drive around barricades.
- If sheltering during high winds, go to a FEMA safe room, ICC 500 storm shelter, or a small, interior, windowless room or hallway on the lowest floor that is not subject to flooding.
- If trapped in a building by flooding, go to the highest level of the building. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water.
- Listen for current emergency information and instructions.
- Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery outdoors ONLY and away from windows.
- Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown! Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- Stay off of bridges over fast-moving water.
- Listen to authorities for information and special instructions.
- Be careful during clean-up. Wear protective clothing and work with someone else.
- Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box to prevent electric shock.
- Avoid wading in flood water, which can contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
- Save phone calls for emergencies. Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster. Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends.
- Document any property damage with photographs. Contact your insurance company for assistance.
Hurricane Preparedness For Your Yard
Is your yard ready for hurricane season?
When it comes to the cutting of vegetation, garbage and storm debris, there are steps that should be taken before, during and after a storm.
All major cutting of vegetation should be completed long before June 1, the beginning of hurricane season. The City of Sanford arranges for removal of yard debris from routine yard maintenance weekly throughout the year. If you are having trees removed or doing any other major cutting, be sure to have your contractor include the price of debris removal as part of their service.
All major cutting of vegetation should be completed long before June 1, the beginning of hurricane season. The City of Sanford arranges for removal of yard debris from routine yard maintenance weekly throughout the year. If you are having trees removed or doing any other major cutting, be sure to have your contractor include the price of debris removal as part of their service.
- Do not cut down trees or do major yard work.
- Do not begin construction projects that produce debris.
- Mass cutting places a tremendous burden on the collection process and there is not enough equipment or manpower to handle the additional material before a storm makes landfall. You could not only put yourself at risk but your neighbors as well.
- Keep all household garbage, recycling, vegetation and storm debris separate. This is extremely important!
- Place household garbage in CLEAR plastic bags to expedite wet waste removal.
- Be patient!
- Don’t call and ask that trucks be pulled from scheduled routes to pick up your own debris first. Deviation from carefully planned routes causes delays in the entire process.
