- January 3, 2025
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Sydney Barksdale Natalia Kurdziel at The Waffle Cone. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Ryan Huckabee tours A1A looking for the best swell. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Inmates on the fifth day of preparations at Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Tuscan Gardens residents prepare for a road trip west. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Grace Daniels and her two cats are ready to evacuate. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Boards are up. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
By Friday evening, Aug. 30, major supermarkets and gas stations were cleaned out of water, and people were concerned about getting it before the storm hit. But within a couple of days, the stores were fully stocked.
Hurricane Dorian has been usual for its slow progress, which has caused a long weekend of anticipation — and preparation. Local governments have had time to create strategies and provide resources, personnel and shelters to keep the community safe. Locals have had extra time to stock up on supplies and pick up anything they missed during the initial rush on the stores.
As they prepared, businesses along State Road A1A also started offering products at a reduced rate. The word quickly spread on social media, and the community went for it: Yes Coffee Co., Swillerbees Craft Donuts and Coffee Bar, The Waffle Cone, Frankie Alice's Beachside Boutique and The Island Grille are among the ones that cleared out their fridges.
John Wenz, from The Pickle Bar, was excited to have sold out and to have so many new customers. Surfers and others visited the beach to enjoy the water, take photos and wish for the best.
But people still kept an eye on the internet for hurricane updates, local information and the next hurricane meme.
Monday — with Dorian devastating the Bahamas, while Flagler still had sun and light breezes — the special needs shelter at Rymfire Elementary School opened its doors at 8 a.m., with volunteers and personnel ready to welcome the wave of people that would approach ahead of the storm.
Tuscan Garden of Palm Coast, an assisted living facility, moved about 80% of its residents to its sister branch in Venice Beach on the west coast.
For the fifth day, inmates and county workers helped fill sandbags at Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church in Flagler Beach.
On Monday night, fewer cars were out, and shops had closed.
