Hurricane Matthew shuts down Central Florida

Central Floridians prepared for the worst as Hurricane Matthew tore through the Bahamas Thursday and turned toward a possible landfall along the Florida coastline early Friday morning. By midday Thursday it was forecast to possibly reach Category 5 strength as it neared landfall.

And with one of Winter Park’s largest festivals of the year setting up in the open land of Central Park, organizers and city officials canceled it outright Wednesday afternoon, citing the potential impact and aftermath of the most violent tropical cyclone to threaten Central Florida since 2004.

“Given the unforeseen path and impact of Hurricane Matthew, diverting resources to prepare for the event at this juncture would not be in keeping with our priority,” Winter Park Mayor Steve Leary said in a released statement. “Public safety is most important for our residents, guests, businesses and staff.”

From FL Gov. Rick Scott, warnings carried a more dire tone for residents near Florida's eastern coastline.

"This storm will kill you," Scott warned during a Thursday morning press conference, urging evacuation. "Time is running out."

The powerful storm had reached Category 4 strength before weakening slightly after pummeling Haiti with winds in excess of 130 mph Tuesday. Matthew had caused 102 by Thursday afternoon. It was expected to strengthen over the warm water of the Bahamas as it drew closer to Florida Wednesday night.

Hurricane warnings, which originally had been given for the eastern coastline of Florida as Matthew’s track was expected to remain in the Atlantic, were extended into much of the Florida peninsula by Wednesday at noon. That includes Orange and Seminole counties.

As Winter Park prepared for possible hurricane force winds on Friday, it was already activating its Emergency Operations Center. All recreation centers are closed Thursday, and all parks and fields are closed through Sunday. All non-emergency city facilities including City Hall are closed Friday. No WastePro services will occur. No building inspections will be performed, and no new utilities will be connected.

Sandbags will be available to residents at the Public Works Compound at 1409 Howell Branch Road from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday. Residents are asked to enter via the east gate near Fire Station 64 and go to Building 12. Visit cityofwinterpark.org for more information and to sign up for the city’s emergency alert system, and call 407-599-3494 for non-emergency information. For electric power outages call 1-877-811-8700. For water and wastewater outages call 407-599-3219.

In Maitland, sand, bags and shovels are available for residents to bag sand at the north City Hall parking lot on Horatio Avenue between Maitland Avenue and U.S. Highway 17-92. Residents can bag sand from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, weather permitting. Check itsmymaitland.com for closures and updates.

In Orange County, all schools were closed and school activities canceled through Sunday. Garbage, recycling and yard waste pickup in unincorporated Orange County will not occur Friday, but Friday routes will be collected Saturday. Residents are encouraged to move garbage inside to cut down on flying debris.

Rollins College canceled classes for Thursday and Friday. The Bush Science Center will act as a 24-hour storm shelter beginning 5 p.m. Thursday.

In Seminole County, schools have been canceled Thursday and Friday due to the hurricane. That includes extracurricular activities. Weekend activities are also canceled.

SunRail service is cutting off trains Thursday after noon for the final southbound train from DeBary, and 1:15 p.m. for the final northbound train from Sand Lake Road. Due to the uncertainty of the storm, SunRail will not resume operations until Monday.

The Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, which was scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, was canceled Wednesday.

“We did discuss the possibility of a one-day festival,” said Erika Spence, the Chamber’s senior director of marketing and communications. But due to potential hazards for setting up at any time Friday or Saturday, the entire event was canceled.

“We needed to respect people who have to travel all the way here,” Spence said.

The impact of the cancelation won’t go unnoticed, she said, as the event was expected to bring 200,000 visitors this weekend.

“It’s second only to the Sidewalk Art Festival in economic impact to the city,” Spence said.

The event will not be rescheduled.

The Park Avenue Sidewalk Sale is still expected to go on from Thursday through Sunday, though store hours and participation may vary due to the hurricane.

“We’re leaving that up to [store owners’] discretion,” Spence said, noting that after the hurricane passes, “people can still come to Park Avenue and enjoy the weather.”