- February 1, 2025
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Sheriff Rick Staly released a community alert video at 12 p.m. Monday on Hurricane Dorian and the latest update for Flagler County. The video is available here: https://youtu.be/FHSbY94zaeA
Here is a transcript of what Staly said in the video:
Good Morning, I am your Sheriff Rick Staly and I am here with Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney and Florida Highway Patrol Chief Derek Barrs. As we go Day by Day with Hurricane Dorian, we are inching closer to feeling the effects of the storm in Flagler County. The County has opened the special-needs shelter at Rymfire Elementary School effective 8am on Monday morning. As of 11pm Sunday night, Hurricane Watches and Storm Surge Watches were issued for Flagler County. Those are expected to turn into warnings later today.
The National weather service is anticipating that Flagler County has a 90% chance of feeling tropical storm force winds and a 40% chance of experiencing hurricane force winds. This is an extremely strong storm that we must take seriously. We can expect a coastal surge of 3-6 feet above ground level and
waves of 15-25 feet. This is a potentially catastrophic event for our beaches. I know for our surfers this may sound like a good time to ride the waves. The ocean is very dangerous with rip currents and we highly recommend you stay out of the ocean. This is the last day for sand bags. Inmates are assisting at Santa Maria Del Mar Catholic church in Flagler Beach and at FTI on A1A in the hammock until about 3pm today.
The County has issued an evacuation order to Hurricane Evacuation Zones A, B, and F beginning at noon today. The general population and domestic pet shelter is open at Bunnell Elementary School for all evacuees. Starting 7 p.m. on Tuesday, there will be a curfew in the evacuation zones for the duration of the storm.
That means that no one will be able to be on the roads or moving around in those evacuation zones. Let me make it very clear to any criminal that wants to prey on our community during this emergency. We will have many deputy sheriff’s on duty and we will catch you and you will be arrested. You will ride out the hurricane in the Green Roof Inn and if you don’t know what that is, it is the county jail. Once the winds reach a sustained 45mph the bridges will be closed. We expect this to happened by Tuesday evening.
Every mile Dorian shifts from current predictions can greatly impact the effects felt in Flagler County. We ask that you heed the warnings – if you are in the evacuation zones, please take it seriously. Gather your belonging and seek a safe shelter. If you plan to leave Flagler County, we suggest you do so today
before the weather gets worse. I would now like to ask Chief Doughney to discuss access to the barrier island before and after the storm.
Chief Doughney: Thank you Sheriff. Flagler Beach is going to have a curfew at 7 p.m. Tuesday and entry onto the barrier island will be with identification only after it’s deemed absolutely safe for the public to return. The Green Roof Inn is open. The Florida Highway Patrol, the Flagler Beach Police Department and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office does not want to put you there, but you can put yourself there.
Chief Barrs: Thank you Sheriff and thank you Chief. We appreciate the opportunity to be able to work with this community. We just want to make a few announcements: Be extremely cautious when you do evacuate, please heed to all of the warnings quickly and do them safely and try get to locations where you are going to be safe whether it be a shelter or you’re leaving to go westward to a family or friend’s home. Just make sure you follow all of the warnings and signs that will be on our interstate system and please stay in contact with your local emergency management. Thank you all very much.
Sheriff Staly: I would like to thank the community. You guys have done a phenomenal job preparing. You’ve had a few extra days to prepare since this hurricane has been so slow moving. But now it’s crunch time. It is coming; the question is how bad are we going to take it. Just keep your prayers with our first responders, the deputy sheriffs, their spouses and children. They’re going to be at home while the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office and our first responders throughout the state and our local police departments are serving you. May God bless Flagler County.
