Eye on the Tropics

Here's where to get water, warm food in Central Florida

Hurricane Irma brought widespread power and water outages to Central Florida. Free bottled water will be distributed Wednesday in Brevard, Seminole, Volusia and Polk counties. See where below:

Brevard County

The Florida Army National Guard will distribute one free case of bottled water per vehicle at the following four locations. Distribution will last through 7 p.m. Wednesday and continue from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday until all the cases have been given out.

• City of Cape Canaveral
8550 Astronaut Blvd. (northbound lane)
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920

• Cocoa Beach
1500 Minuteman Blvd. (Minuteman Causeway at Highway A1A)
Cocoa Beach, FL 32932

Melbourne Recreation Centers Open as Cooling Centers

All City of Melbourne Recreation Centers are open and available to anyone who needs a break from the heat. Come and sit in our air-conditioned buildings. Bring the kids for open play time and open gym time.

You may also bring your cell phones and devices for charging.

City of Melbourne Recreation Center Locations & Hours:

Eau Gallie Civic Center

1551 Highland Avenue Melbourne, FL 32935

(321) 608-7400

Monday – Thursday: 8:30 a.m. — 9 p.m. Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Saturday – Sunday: Noon – 5 p.m.

Lipscomb Community Center

3316 S. Monroe Street Melbourne, FL 32901

(321) 608-7450

Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday: closed

Joseph N. Davis Community Center

2547 Grant Street Melbourne, FL 32901

(321) 608-7460

Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. — 9 p.m. Saturday – Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Wickham Park Community Center

2815 Leisure Way Melbourne, FL 32935

(321) 608-7490

Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday: noon – 5 p.m.

Lake County

Lake County has opened a point of distribution for water for Astor residents at the Astor Boat Ramp, 55400 Butler St. until 7 p.m. Thursday and from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday. The limit is one case of water per household. Water is for Astor residents only; identification may be required. Ice is not available.

In partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, emergency food will be available at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lady Lake on September 15, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. or until supplies last. Call 352-753-0989 for up-to-date information.

Orange County

Orlando

People can dial Heart of Florida's United Way's 211 Hotline. Crisis specialists will be able to direct them to the help they need, whether it's water, tarps, food or utility assistance.

The Northwest Community Center (3955 WD Judge Drive Orlando, FL 32808) has set up six locations in Orlando to give away free bags of ice.

Orange County Public Schools has set up a food distribution site for those with children who were affected by Irma.

South Orlando YMCA at 814 W. Oak Ridge Road, will hand out 2,600 lbs of free ice Friday at 10 a.m., first come, first serve.

Food will be available for families in need after Hurricane Irma on September 15, 2017 at 5727 Cornelia Avenue Orlando, FL 32807 from 10am – noon.

Seminole County

Altamonte Springs

Second Harvest Food Bank went to Apostolic Church in Altamonte Springs to set up a mobile food drop
Apostolic Church
444 Ford Drive
Altamonte Springs, Fla. 32701

Donate unused non-perishables to Seminole County Public Schools' food pantries, which are listed here or call 407-320-0413. Click here to make a monetary donation.

Longwood

7-Eleven will donate free bottled water while supplies last.
2040 West Highway 434
Longwood, FL 32779

Food will be available for families in need after Hurricane Irma on September 15, 2017 at 5727 Cornelia Avenue Orlando, FL 32807 from 10am – noon.

Marion County

Marion County is partnering with community agencies to deliver water and food to individuals in need following Hurricane Irma. Water distribution will take place Friday starting  at 2 p.m. at the following locations:

15157 Old Gainesville Road, Reddick. *Food will be served at this location*

14100 E. Highway 40, Silver Springs

14045 N. Highway 301, Citra.

Sites will distribute water while supplied last. Residents with questions should call the Marion County Office of Public Information at 352-438-2300.

Osceola County

The Osceola School District will be providing lunches at no cost to all children under the age of 18 on Thursday, September 14, and Friday, September 15. Children must be present to receive a lunch. Parents and students are asked to help spread the word so that children will not go hungry during the days school is not in session as Osceola County recovers from Hurricane Irma. The food will be given out at the following schools:

Koa Elementary School

5000 Koa Street, Kissimmee

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Boggy Creek Elementary School 

810 Florida Parkway, Kissimmee

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

McLaren Circle Apartments

239 McLaren Circle, Kissimmee

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Kissimmee Middle School

2410 Dyer Blvd., Kissimmee

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Michigan Avenue Elementary School

2015 Michigan Avenue, St. Cloud

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Food will be available for families in need after Hurricane Irma on September 15, 2017 at 5727 Cornelia Avenue Orlando, FL 32807 from 10am – noon.

Polk County

St. Joseph Catholic Church (Donations expected to begin after 11am)

532 Ave. M. NW

Winter Haven FL  33881

Volusia County

DeLand

The First Assembly of DeLand will distribute free food and water from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Volusia County residents will be given a case of bottled water and a case of ready-to-eat meals. Distribution will continue at 11 a.m. Thursday and Friday if supplies last.

551 S. Kepler Road
DeLand, FL 32724

Flagler County

American Red Cross will be providing meals in three locations

  • Hidden Trails Community Center, 500 meals – 6108 Mahogany Boulevard, Daytona North
  • Espanola Community Center, 200 meals – 3570 County Road 205, Espanola
  • Veterans Park, 500 meals – 105 S. Second Street, Flagler Beach