- September 30, 2024
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With much of the county still recovering from Hurricane Ian, Volusia officials are warning residents to prepare fro the effects from subtropical storm Nicole, predicted to bring between 20-25 mph winds inland and 25-30 mph along the coast later this week.
Volusia County is currently under a tropical storm watch, said county Emergency Management Director Jim Judge during a news briefing on Monday, Nov. 7. Residents should expect about 4 to 6 inches of rain inland, and about 6 to 8 inches of rain along the coast up to the St. Johns River.
Dangerous coastal marine conditions are already present, added said, and as Nicole moves closer, storm surge could result in up to 10 foot waves on Thursday.
This comes as the county is already dealing with high tide conditions.
"For conditions along the beach, you know we've had some significant damages along that and are quite concerned about what this weather, what this storm surge, and what these waves will do to those already damaged (areas) and those potentially in harm's way," Judge said.
Monday, Nov. 7, is likely the last day residents will have to make repairs to seawalls prior to Nicole, said Jessica Fentress, county coastal division director. The tide will soon be too high for repairs. Oceanfront property owners should take this storm seriously, she said. Those nervous about the structural integrity of their homes should seek shelter elsewhere.
"We're at a critical point right now with the state of our beaches," Fentress said. "Hurricane Ian was a very long duration storm event. In no way did we think we were coming back to significant, widespread, substantial seawall failures across our coastline when we came back from that storm."
Many coastal structures are not safe still a month later, she said. She asked residents not utilize any coastal structures until they have been assessed by the county after the storm.
The county will close the beach to driving on Monday, and ramps will remain close until the storm passes.
Community Informations Director Kevin Captain said that Nicole is predicted to become "a very large subtropical storm" over the next few days, with the potential of becoming a tropical storm or a hurricane. The storm's direct path and intensity remain uncertain.
"This is the time to start making plans," Captain said. "Don't let your guard down, even if the storm does not transform into a hurricane or directly hit Volusia County, we're still likely to receive substantial rain and tropical force winds."
Schools will be open on Wednesday and Thursday. There is no school on Tuesday, Nov. 8, and Friday, Nov. 11, due to Election Day and Veterans Day, respectively.
