Tropical Storm Ian is projected to become a hurricane by Monday and then strengthening to Major Hurricane status on Tuesday. The path of the storm remains largely uncertain, with significant disagreements between the two major weather models. As such, Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a State of Emergency for southern counties, including Polk and Osceola, but not yet for Orange or Lake.

Residents in Horizon West should always remain weather aware during Hurricane Season and maintain a hurricane kit throughout the season. Take advantage of the nice Sunday weather to make final preparations going into the week.

• Bring in or secure all outdoor items to prevent them from blowing.
• If you have yard waste pickup Monday or Tuesday, trim back any overgrown trees or plants before the storm. Don’t start any trimming if it won’t be able to be picked up.
• Download the OCFL Alert app to receive emergency information from Orange County. It includes information on shelters, water and ice distribution, evacuation routes, and other announcements.
• Move all vehicles inside your garage. If your garage is used as storage, now is the time to remove the items in your garage to ensure the vehicle is safe.
• Fill containers with water and freeze them to create extra ice packs in case power goes out.
• Stay up to date with local weather forecasts, such as Fox 35 Orlando, and do not rely on national weather news for local information.

Supplies:

Stores in Horizon West are already low on some supplies, with water, bread, and non-perishable foods out of stock or very low on stock. Supply chains remain moving and there are no reported supply issues, so stores will continue to restock each day. Check secondary stores, such as pharmacies, gas stations, and home improvement stores to seek items in short supply at primary grocery stores.

When ordering supplies through Amazon.com or any other online retailer, aim for delivery no later than Tuesday, September 27.

For a full guide, check out our full Hurricane Preparation Guide for Horizon West.