While the track of Hurricane Dorian seems to be moving further east, life-threatening storm surges are still possible along the Florida eastern coast. This also may include parts of Eastern Orange County District 5, such as Bithlo, Christmas and Wedgefield. Please, be prepared and take shelter if you live in a mobile home or feel that your home will not be safe to ride out the hurricane. The closest shelter is East River High School, which will allow pets. Unless there is a change, THE SHELTER WILL OPEN SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 1st at 8:00a.m. Make sure to bring food, water, pillow and blanket.

My tour today included the fire stations at Christmas and Wedgefield to check status of community needs, and South Bithlo at United Global Outreach with Tim McKinney (who was providing hot food!), and taking Mayor Jacobs to spots that I found flooded yesterday off of Alafaya and near Union Park.

Emily Bonilla, a Democratic county commissioner who was elected from a district that is 80 percent white, is working to provide services for the new arrivals, mindful that they may soon be her constituents. “Puerto Ricans are unique,” she said. “We support each other regardless of party, but no surprise, the majority become Democrats.”

Emily Bonilla, a Puerto Rican elected to the Orange County Commission in Florida in 2016, speculated to the Tampa Bay Times that Puerto Ricans’ strong sense of family will motivate those already living in the United States to invite relatives in distress after Maria to come and live with them. “We know people will come here. They have family here. They have friends here. They’re comfortable coming to Florida,” Governor Rick Scott said on Tuesday while announcing the opening of three aid centers for displaced Puerto Ricans, echoing Bonilla’s point about family ties.

Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla initiated a Puerto Rican Migration Task Force to coordinate with community organizations to identify the needs of these citizens, and help implement solutions. The task force found that the incoming population needs better access to a number of resources like healthcare, housing, food, and employment.

“It only makes sense that when you have a large, growing population, it will gain some influence,” said Emily Bonilla, a Democrat who last year was elected to the Orange County Commission. “We as Puerto Ricans care about our families, the community and supporting each other.”

Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla and staff have spent time volunteering and supporting CASA’s initiatives this past weekend. Bonilla shared “As a fellow Puerto Rican and Commissioner in one of the counties with the fastest growing Puerto Rican communities, it behooves me to take action and support local community efforts. I look forward to supporting these efforts and any actions taken by Orange County administration during one of the most challenging times for the island in modern history.”

Food and water for East Orange County residents will be available Saturday afternoon in Bithlo and at Blanchard Park. Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla announced that the Bithlo Community Center, 18501 Washington Ave., and Blanchard Park, 2451 Dean Road, will have free food and water, starting at 3:30 p.m. The donations from Faith Assembly of God church, Second Harvest Food Bank, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, and the American Red Cross, and Orange County Government.

District 5 County Commissioner Emily Bonilla will be distributing warm food and water to residents in need in the Bithlo area in East Orange County.