FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lauren Hames 407-246-3106

MEDIA ADVISORY #5
SEPTEMBER 26, 2004 -- 11:20 A.M. 

MAYOR DYER DEPLOYS FIRE/PUBLIC WORKS SQUADS

Following a meeting with his emergency policy group at the Orlando Emergency Operations Center, Mayor Dyer has asked the Orlando Fire Department (OFD) to immediately deploy units to remove downed trees within the City of Orlando.   At 11:45 a.m., Mayor Dyer will be on site at South and Rosalind with Fire and Public Works crews to remove the first of several downed trees.

OFD has responded throughout the night to all calls and will continue to do so unless conditions deteriorate.

More than 80 wastewater pumping stations are without power.   Mayor Dyer has again asked that City of Orlando residents limit their showers and flushing until further notice.  The Mayor has asked Interim Public Works Director Alan Oyler to deploy Public Works crews to pumping station sites at 1 p.m. today to begin to restore service at those stations.  At this time, there have been no reported overflows in the City.

This hour, Mayor Dyer is meeting with Ken Ksionek, Interim General Manager of the Orlando Utilities Commission.  As of this hour, 82,000 OUC customers are without power --60,000 in the City of Orlando.  OUC is out doing a preliminary assessment and will deploy crews this afternoon to begin restoration.

MAYOR DYER WOULD LIKE TO REMIND ALL RESIDENTS THAT THEY NEED TO STAY INDOORS UNTIL 5 PM.

For more information, please call 407-658-3960.