- January 21, 2025
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Hurricane Dorian continues to ravage Grand Bahama island with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph as it creeps closer to Florida's east coast at 1 mph, the 5 a.m. National Hurricane Advisory reported. Dorian, still a category 5 storm, "will move dangerously close to the Florida east coast tonight (Monday) through Wednesday evening."
Dorian is forecasted to proceed in moving westward or west-northwestward notion in the next day or so, followed by a gradual turn toward the northwest and north, the advisory stated. The hurricane is expected to remain a powerful storm during the next couple of days, and hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.
Isolated tornadoes are also possible Monday afternoon into Monday night along the immediate coast of east-central Florida.
A hurricane watch has been issued for Volusia and Flagler County, but will likely be upgraded to a hurricane warning as the storm approaches. The 5 a.m. NHC advisory stated that 4-7 feet of storm surge could be possible from Lantana to St. Mary's River in Jacksonville, an area which includes Volusia and Flagler, should peak surge occur at high tide.
For Flagler County, an evacuation order for residents will be issued sometime today. Nursing homes, assisted living facilities and group homes have been ordered to evacuate from Zones A, B, F, and flood prone areas today too. Once evacuation orders have been issued, Bunnell Elementary ( 305 N Palmetto St. will open for general population and pets and Rymfire Elementary (1425 Rymfire Drive) for special needs only. Flagler schools have cancelled class through Tuesday.
Volusia schools have been closed, and will remain as such through Thursday. A mandatory evacuation will be in effect starting 10 a.m. today, Monday, affecting the beachside, low-lying areas and mobile home/RV parks. Volusia Shelters will open at 10 a.m. today as well. Volusia County Sheriff's Office issued a curfew for the beachside starting 6 p.m. Tuesday.
City sandbag and sand sites have closed. City crews gave the leftover supplies to Flagler County.
In Flagler County, you can still get sandbags at:
Flagler County's Hurricane Call Center is operating 24/7 and can be reached at 386-586-5111.
Ormond Beach will make self-serve sand available to as many residents as possible from sunrise to sunset today, Monday at the following locations:
Nova Community Center Site: 440 N. Nova Road
Ormond Beach Sports Complex, next to ball field 5: 700 Hull Road
Limited staff will be available to help with shovels and bags from 7 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. on all days. Sand will remain after 2:30 p.m. but residents should bring their own shovels and bags at that time.
Residents living in the unincorporated areas of Volusia County can obtain sand and bags at the following locations today, Aug. 31, beginning at noon. Residents should bring their own shovels and be prepared to fill their own bags.
