The Osceola County Office of Emergency Management — the same department that helped guide the county through the Coronavirus pandemic and spent nearly a year on emergency activation — will be an important resource for information the next time a named tropical system has the potential to affect Osceola County. It did that work during Tropical Storm and Hurricane Elsa earlier this month.
Alert Messages, and How To Get Them
When a storm threatens, the EOC provides information on the storm, how it will affect the area, and what actions residents should take in response.
The County’s information channels include:
Twitter: @OsceolaEOC and @OsceolaCountyFl
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OsceolaEOC and www.facebook.com/osceolacountyfl
Website: www.readyosceola.org
Through the Ready Osceola site, officials urge residents to receive emergency phone alerts through Osceola’s free AlertOsceola service, by texting the word “alertosceola” to 888777, or signing up online at https://alertosceola.org.
Shelters
In the event of an emergency or natural disaster, the Emergency Operations Center will activate shelters around the county. Not all shelters will open at the same time and will open on an “as needed” basis only. Stay tuned to local television, radio, and the Osceola County EOC facebook and twitter page to receive updates on shelter openings.
In partnership with Osceola Animal Services, the American Red Cross, and the School District of Osceola County, Emergency Management will offer pet friendly sheltering. Only certain shelter facilities are designated as “pet friendly”. As with all shelters, specific locations are announced prior to an event. However, in an effort to better help our citizen’s plan and prepare for an emergency, the 3 “pet friendly” shelters are Harmony and Kissimmee Middle Schools, and Liberty High School. Emergency managers will still determine resource requirements based on the actual threat.
Direct Updates From Weather Sources
For the latest weather updates, including storm tracking and forecasts, please visit and follow US National Weather Service Melbourne Florida: www. weather.gov/mlb/ and the National Hurricane Center (www.nhc.noaa.gov).
For Those With Special Needs
Florida Statute requires county emergency management to provide the leadership and direction to effectively care for the community of special needs individuals in times of disaster.
Osceola County Emergency Management and partners have a fully-planned and executed Special Needs Program.
The program includes annual registration and education for individuals with special needs. During periods of threatened conditions, Osceola County provides special needs sheltering for those who require sheltering. Partner organizations, such as the Osceola Council On Aging and the Department of Health, come together to ensure the utmost in care during a sheltering event.
A special needs shelter is for those who, during periods of evacuation or emergency, require assistance to due physical impairment, mental impairment cognitive impairment or sensory disabilities.
A person may become eligible for a special needs shelter if they require:
• Assistance with medication
• Observation by a health professional
• Electricity for life supporting medical equipment
• Basic nursing care
• Oxygen therapy
• Assistance with evacuation
• Other special medical needs
Visit ReadyOsceola.org, call 407-742-9001 or email specialneeds@osceola.org. Do not wait until there is an emergency to register!
Osceola County’s special needs shelters are:
• The Barney Veal Center (700 Generation Point Blvd., Kissimmee) — Primary
• Central Avenue Elementary School (500 W. Columbia Ave., Kissimmee) — Overflow
• Oak Leaf Landing (2350 N. Central Ave., Kissimmee) — PSN shelter for Alzheimer’s Patients
• St. Cloud Community Center (3101 17th St.) — Primary for special needs in St. Cloud.
