Hurricane Milton churned to Florida loaded with fearsome winds and heavy downpours. Navigating the aftermath will be its own daunting challenge. Here’s what the experts say to do.
How long will food last in the fridge after the power goes out?
Perishables in a powerless refrigerator don’t last long, says Orlando chef and Valencia College Culinary Instructor Jennifer M. Denlinger, Ph.D, especially if you open and close the fridge door. “You do not want your cold food to go above 70 degrees internally for any amount of time. That’s where bacteria begins to rapidly multiply,” she says. Ahead of the storm and early on is the time to eat your leftovers and prepared foods, she continues. “Sliced deli meats are highly susceptible, too. Uncut fruits and vegetables will last much longer and if you have them in the fridge or cooler, you can bring them out to make space for other items.” But a well-packed freezer can keep food safe for a long time. Open and close it as little as possible. Food also will last in a well-iced cooler. If cooler space is at a premium, many things can be kept at room temperature. “Mustard, ketchup, Hershey’s syrup, condiments with vinegar … none of these require refrigeration. Bread doesn’t either.” But “anything dairy- or mayo-based should be kept on ice, or tossed after four hours.”
What should I do with the spoiled food, assuming garbage pickup will be delayed?
Toss it out — the garbage trucks will be there sooner than you might think. Orange County government, for example, considers garbage services a priority, said Debbie Sponsler, Utilities spokesperson. “It’s a public health issue,” she said. While Milton required the solid-waste division to postpone pickup Wednesday and Thursday, sanitation crews will pick up household refuse Friday and Saturday. “No yard waste, no recycling, just garbage collection for anybody who did not have service because of hurricane conditions,” Sponsler said.
I see a wire dangling from a utility pole. What should I do?
It could be a cable TV wire. It could be a fiber optic cable. It could be a high voltage wire still carrying electricity. Don’t take chances. Call your utility or even try to flag down a utility truck. They will be as concerned as you are. Also, these risks are a reason to avoid pooled water and flooded streets. Downed wires and electrical equipment, such as ground-mounted transformers, could be hidden, still energized – and potentially deadly.
Why are officials urging me not to flush the toilet or take a shower?
Sewer systems are aging, fragile and complex. A line break or a disabled pump – both of which are hurricane specialties — may be inflicting misery miles away and downstream, so to speak, from your home. City or county officials who must wade in to fix those problems would appreciate not having to contend with raw sewage.
Does my electric utility know that my lights are out?
Possibly. Many utilities have upgraded customer meters to communicate outage information. But, in the fog of confusion in Milton’s aftermath, follow your utility’s procedures to make sure it knows you are without power. If there isn’t much tree debris, your lights might be back on within a day. If it looks like a bomb went off outside your front door, settle in for a long wait.
Why are the lights on down the street but not in my neighborhood?
That can be maddening, especially during multiday outages. Here’s what Orlando Utilities Commission and just all other utilities say: “First, we begin restoring power to critical areas such as hospitals, police, and fire stations. Next, we focus on repairs to restore power to the most customers in the most efficient way possible. Repairs that impact only a few customers at each location will be worked last.”
Is there anything I should do around my home if my power goes out?
If your lights start blinking or you have a power outage during severe weather, unplug or turn off as many appliances and electronics as possible. It’s recommended that you switch off the circuit breaker to your air conditioning and heating unit. After the power is restored, wait up to 10 minutes before turning the breakers back on and plugging everything back in. Appliances and electronics can be severely damaged by a sudden surge in electricity.
My roof, car or yard has a tree limb on it. What should I do?
If a tree falls on your house, you must evacuate everyone from your property in case your roof collapses. Then you should call 911. They may send a utility representative or a fire crew. A fallen tree may bring power lines down with it, so these professionals can address electrical problems or fire damage. Insurance should help cover tree damage, even to your car if you have comprehensive coverage. Take pictures of the fallen tree on your roof or car, including long shots and close-ups.
What should I do if there’s flooding in my house?
If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water. Disconnect appliances to prevent electrical shock when power is restored. Get to the highest level if trapped in a building. Only get on the roof if necessary and once there signal for help. Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by rising floodwater.
My home is a mess and unlivable. What should I do?
If you have standing water in your home and can turn off the main power from a dry location, then go ahead and turn off the power, even if it delays cleaning. If you must enter standing water to access the main power switch, then call an electrician to turn it off. Follow the CDC guidelines for safely reentering a flooded home. Take photos and videos of damage before beginning cleanup work. Put tape measures next to water and scum lines so the height of water can be seen and recorded. Take photos of everything you throw out to document an insurance claim. Be sure to include labels, brand names, serial number plates, etc.
The flooding in my street is not going away. What’s happening?
The flooding from Hurricane Ian two years ago was comparable in many areas to what would happen if you emptied a swimming pool through a bathtub drain: too much water, not enough drainage. Orlando residents can report flooding or problems with storm drains to Orlando.gov/flood or to 407-246-2238 before, during or after the storm. Orange County will conduct a “windshield audit” of its roads as soon as tropical-storm-force winds move out of the area. Street flooding may be caused by a blocked drain. County residents can call 3-1-1 for help or grab a rake and, exercising caution, clear the drain.
When will Publix reopen and will credit cards work?
Publix officials said they are monitoring the storm and the status of individual stores is subject to change based on Milton’s track and impacts. They encourage customers to check publix.com/status to learn about specific stores. Regarding credit cards, if systems are online, then credit cards would be working, officials said. In past hurricanes, some Publix stores were without power and went old-school: cash only.
When will Orlando International Airport reopen and will there be chaos?
Airport officials will first fix any damage in the sprawling facility. Once flights resume, initially at a reduced pace, the airport is likely to be very busy. The airport hopes passengers will avoid coming early in an attempt to get out before their scheduled flights — that would only worsen the crush. Still, officials aim to get the airport back to normal within a day.
Sentinel staffers Martin E. Comas, Ryan Gillespie, Stephen Hudak, Laura Kinsler, Leslie Postal, Amy Drew Thompson and James Wilkins contributed to this report.