Hurricane Idalia: Central Florida events canceled, postponed

Patrick Connolly, Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel
·2 min read

As Hurricane Idalia continues its march across the Gulf of Mexico and toward Florida, residents are bracing for potential impacts by gathering sandbags and nonperishable food.

Although the current trajectory shows the storm avoiding a direct hit to Central Florida, a number of events have been canceled, postponed or rescheduled out of caution.

  • Amtrak has canceled various East Coast routes that extend to Orlando. Check amtrak.com for the latest changes.

  • Central Florida Community Arts: Programs, classes and offices are closed Aug. 30. Planned rehearsals will be rescheduled.

  • Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens will close at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 29 and remain closed on Wednesday, Aug. 30. The Sanford attraction hopes to reopen on Thursday, Aug. 31.

  • Diocese of Orlando: Offices, Catholic schools and Catholic Charities clinics are closed Aug. 30.

  • Florida State Parks: In Central Florida, closed parks include Addison Blockhouse, Blue Spring, Bulow Creek, De Leon Springs, General James A. Van Fleet State Trail , Haw Creek Preserve, Hontoon Island, Indian River Lagoon Preserve, Lake Griffin, Lake Louisa, Lower Wekiva River Preserve, North Peninsula, Rock Springs Run Preserve, Sebastian Inlet, St. Sebastian River Preserve, Tomoka, Wekiwa Springs.

  • Lake County government: Offices and libraries are closed Aug. 30.

  • Lake County Public Schools are closed Aug. 30. Afterschool events are canceled Aug. 29-30.

  • Lynx bus service will end at 11 p.m. Aug. 29; service may start resuming in late afternoon Aug. 30 depending on weather conditions, with full service expected to resume Aug. 31.

  • Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park will be closed Aug. 30.

  • Orange County courts will be closed Aug. 30.

  • Orange County government offices will be closed Aug. 30.

  • Orange County Public Library branches are all closed Aug. 30.

  • Orange County Public Schools are closed Aug. 30. Afterschool events must end by 8 p.m. Aug. 29 and are canceled Aug. 30.

  • Osceola Council on Aging has canceled the “Hurricane Preparedness Day” on Wednesday, Aug. 30 from 9 am-noon due to the weather conditions that will take place in Central Florida.

  • Seminole County court proceedings are canceled Aug. 30. Jurors should not report for jury duty. At this time, first-appearance, juvenile detention and shelter hearings will continue to occur.

  • Seminole County government: County and city offices (Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo and Sanford) are closed Aug. 30.

  • Seminole County Schools are closed Aug. 30.

  • Seminole State College is closed through Aug. 30.

  • SunRail is suspending service beginning Aug. 29 so that the Florida Department of Transportation can prepare the railway corridor.

  • Valencia College will be closed Aug. 30.

  • Volusia beaches will be closed to vehicle traffic through Aug. 30.

  • Volusia County Public Schools are closed Aug. 30. Afterschool events must end by 8 p.m. Aug. 29 and are canceled Aug. 30.

Send other closure or cancellation notices to mpalm@orlandosentinel.com.