FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Brie Turek (407) 246-3106
Laura Bornfreund (407) 246-3423

CITY OF ORLANDO PREPARES FOR HURRICANE WILMA

City of Orlando launches AM Radio Station at City's Emergency Operations Center
Emergency Managers in Dialogue with Local, Volunteer, State and Federal Organizations in Preparation for Impacts of Storm

ORLANDO, FL (October 21, 2005)— In an effort to keep citizens and visitors informed during Hurricane Wilma and future hurricanes, the City of Orlando has launched an AM radio station, 1650 WQDC 703, to provide 24-hour storm and preparation updates. The radio equipment is based at the City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and has a 5-mile signal radius. 1650 WQDC 703 is broadcasting public service announcements read by Mayor Buddy Dyer, local weather updates, information from the National Hurricane Center, and other preparation information.

The City’s Emergency Operations Center remains at the monitoring level and City departments are continuing to take precautionary measures for any potential impacts from the storm. For example, the Public Works Department is monitoring lake levels and lowering as needed. In addition, sandbags will be available for City residents on Monday, October 24th, from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. at 1010 South Woods Ave. There is a limit of 10 bags per resident.

City Emergency Managers continue to be in constant dialogue with officials from the National Hurricane Center and State Emergency Management division to obtain the most up-to-date information for citizens. Furthermore, Mayor Buddy Dyer and Emergency Managers are working with local, volunteer, state and federal organizations, to ensure citizens and all of Central Florida is prepared for a storm.

The City's new Traffic Management Center, with access to more than 100 Department of Transportation traffic cameras in Central Florida area, is currently being utilized to monitor road and debris conditions, evacuation status, weather conditions, and evacuation traffic from South Florida.

For information on hurricane preparation, citizens can visit the City of Orlando website at: http://cityoforlando.net/fire/emergency_management/Hurricanes.htm.

# # #