Flash Flood Warning Issued for a Disney World County

Hurricane Ian has hit Florida and caused major impacts in the Orlando area, among others.

©NOAA

Ahead of the storm, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld, as well as the airports in Orlando, all shut down. Grocery stores closed, people hunkered down in hotels, and a state of emergency was declared as a hurricane warning and tornado warnings were in effect. Now, as Hurricane Ian has moved across Florida, severe flooding is being seen around the Orlando area.

Right now, a Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Orange County, Florida, which is where the majority of Disney World is located, as well as Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and the Orlando International Airport, according to WESH. The Flash Flood Warning has also been issued for Lake, Seminole, and Volusia Counties and will last until 12:15PM. Heavy rain is producing the flash flooding, which is considered life threatening.

FIRST WARNING: Flash Flood Warning issued for Lake, Orange, Seminole & Volusia Counties until 12:15 PM; Life Threatening Flash Flooding. Heavy Rain Producing Flash Flooding.. Track at https://t.co/py64C7xkPG #WESHwx

— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) September 29, 2022

Here’s a look at the areas that are under the warning and some more details.

Let's just take a minute to review- this WHOLE area is under a Flash Flood Warning.

The deep green area in the Wekiva River area is for the Little Wekiva river.

It's 1ft above it's ALL TIME RECORD.

Major flooding widespread in Central Florida;

Oh, and winds are running 60mph pic.twitter.com/UpO4s50g7J

— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) September 29, 2022

During a press conference from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, we found out more details about impacts from the storm. Right now, over 2 million customers are without power across the state of Florida. Rescue crews have also been deployed from 26 different states to help in the hardest hit areas.

There is major flooding in both Orange and Seminole Counties and floodwater will be rising throughout the day. This is considered a 500-year flood event — flood waters rose 4 feet in a matter of hours. Emergency crews are currently in 9 areas of widespread flooding in Central Florida and have been actively rescuing people all morning.

#IAN Flooding blocking I-4 east off-ramp to Epcot Center Dr (SR-536). #News13Orange #News13Osceola #DisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/IrGID43swQ

— Jerry Hume (@JerryHume) September 29, 2022

“I want to emphasize that this storm still poses a major threat in Central Florida,” said Kevin Guthrie, Director of Florida Division of Emergency Management. Emergency crews are asking people to stay at home and do NOT try to go out and see the damage — first responders need the roads. Do not drive through any water. You don’t want to become stranded and have to be rescued as well.

Rescue crews from Osceola and Kissimmee were helping rescue people from their flooded homes.

MORE RESCUES- Osceola and Kissimmee crews are rescuing families from their flooded homes. They are being taken to shelters. @WESH pic.twitter.com/wvhnNY8gTo

— Megan Mellado WESH (@meganmellado) September 29, 2022

All roads going to Orlando International Airport are CLOSED due to flooding from the storm.

Officials said all roads leading into Orlando International Airport are closed due to flooding from Ian. This includes all major and secondary arteries including Jeff Fuqua and Heintzelman Boulevard's and Bear and Cargo Roads. (Video is of Wekiva Road in Altamonte Springs) pic.twitter.com/gXvbwh1rg6

— Spectrum News 13 (@MyNews13) September 29, 2022

Before 3AM Thursday, flooding was seen at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels.

DISNEY FLOODS | Flooding started picking up in Orlando Wednesday night at Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort. Viewer video shows what it looked like as Hurricane Ian moves over Central Florida. pic.twitter.com/Yop8HoM944

— WESH 2 News (@WESH) September 29, 2022

Here are a few more warnings happening the evening of September 29th.
There’s a flood warning until 8:30PM September 29th for Brevard, Indian River, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia. There is also a tropical storm warning until 9PM September 29th for Coastal Indian River, Coastal Volusia, Inland Indian River, Inland Northern Brevard, Inland Southern Brevard, Inland Volusia, Mainland Northern Brevard, Mainland Southern Brevard, Northern Brevard Barrier Islands, Northern Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Southern Brevard Barrier Islands, and Southern Lake. And there’s an airport weather warning for MCO until 8PM on September 29th.

For more on Hurricane Ian, take a look at our recent posts:

Stay tuned to DFB for more Hurricane Ian news and updates.