You've probably felt it the second you stepped outside this morning—that weirdly crisp, biting air that doesn't belong in Central Florida. If you’ve been scrolling for news 13 breaking news orlando, you know the city is currently juggling a massive cold snap, some pretty heavy police activity, and the kind of tech drama that makes you want to chuck your phone into Lake Eola.
Honestly, it’s been a week. Between the "SOS" messages on iPhones and the actual freeze watches, Orlando is leaning hard into a chaotic start to 2026.
The Big Freeze: Why Orlando is Panicking Over 30 Degrees
It’s almost funny how a little dip in temperature sends us into a tailspin. But for real, the National Weather Service isn't joking around with this one. We are looking at the coldest air the region has seen in years. Most of Central Florida is under a freeze watch, and warming centers are already popping up from downtown to the outskirts of Sanford.
Why does this matter? Well, it's not just about finding your one heavy hoodie.
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- The "P" Rule: You've gotta protect the pipes, plants, and pets. People forget that Florida homes aren't exactly built like Thermos bottles.
- The Wind Chill: We’re talking about "feels like" temps hitting the 20s in some spots.
- Shelter Openings: If you know anyone sleeping rough, the Coalition for the Homeless and other local spots are hitting capacity fast.
Basically, if you haven't brought your ferns inside yet, they’re toast.
Verizon’s "SOS" Meltdown and Local Breaking Stories
While we were all shivering, half the city's phones decided to quit. A massive Verizon outage hit thousands of users across Orlando and the wider Florida area today. People were waking up to that dreaded "SOS" icon in the top corner of their screens.
It’s one thing when you can’t scroll TikTok; it’s another when you can’t call 911. Verizon says they're working on it, but the timing—right in the middle of a weather alert—wasn't exactly great.
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Violence in the Quiet Spots
On the heavier side of the news, a Longwood police officer shot a man at a convenience store on SR-434 just a few hours ago. The guy claimed he was armed, and things went south fast. No officers were hurt, but the area was taped off for most of the morning.
Then you have the situation in Gainesville, which, yeah, isn't Orlando, but it’s close enough to rattle everyone. Two officers were shot in what’s being called an "ambush-style" attack at a lumber store. The suspect is dead. It’s a lot to take in for a random Wednesday.
The "Roach Party" and Restaurant Shakedowns
If you're planning on eating out tonight to avoid the cold, you might want to check the latest health reports first. A bunch of local spots just got hit with major violations. We’re talking over a dozen Central Florida eateries shut down temporarily.
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Some of the reports were... descriptive. "Roach activity" is the phrase that keeps popping up in the News 13 data. It’s a good reminder that even your favorite hole-in-the-wall needs a deep clean every now and then.
A Brighter Note: Space and Sports
It’s not all doom and gloom. SpaceX just punched another hole in the sky, launching more Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral. You could see the streak even with the patchy clouds.
Also, the Orlando Pride just made a huge move. They named Caitlin Carducci as their new VP of Soccer Operations and GM. If you followed the 2025 season, you know the Pride has been on a tear. Bringing in someone with her NWSL track record suggests they aren’t planning on slowing down.
What You Should Actually Do Now
Look, when news 13 breaking news orlando hits this fast, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here is the move for the next 24 hours:
- Check your pipes. Drip the faucets if you're in an older house. It sounds like an old wives' tale, but it works.
- Download an offline map. With the Verizon issues still lingering, don't rely on live GPS if you're heading into areas you don't know.
- Watch the skies. If you're a space nerd, there’s another Falcon 9 launch window coming up.
- Be a good neighbor. Check on the elderly folks on your block. This kind of cold is harder on them than it is on us.
Stay warm, keep your phone charged, and maybe skip the sushi at that place with the "C" rating for a week.