- October 14, 2024
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Volusia officials are asking residents to hunker down and shelter in place starting this afternoon, Wednesday, Nov. 9, as Tropical Storm Nicole's winds and storm surge begin to impact the coast.
"The impacts of the storm are already being felt, and the worst is yet to arrive," said Kevin Captain, Volusia County community informations director, during a news conference. "The storm's high tide this morning has exposed the true vulnerability of our coastline."
A hurricane warning and a storm surge warning have been issued for the coastal areas of Volusia County. A tropical storm warning and a flood warning is also in effect for inland areas. Though Nicole's trajectory has shifted slightly to the south overnight, Captain said residents should remain alert as the storm spans about 400 miles in diameter and is expected to bring a significant amount of rainfall.
A countywide curfew is in effect beginning 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, through 7 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10. Volusia County has also issued a mandatory evacuation for residents who live east of the intracoastal waterway, as well as all those who live in low-lying areas, manufactured and mobile homes east of I-95, and all campsites and RV parks.
If you haven't evacuated, you must do so immediately, Captain said.
"Please don't take this lightly," he said. "The threat to your life and your family is very imminent, especially if you're on the coast."
Emergency Management Director Jim Judge said that, though Nicole is expected to make landfall around Vero Beach Wednesday evening, Volusia residents should anticipate to feel strong tropical force winds through Thursday around midday. The chances for hurricane force winds and gusts have diminished.
"We still are experiencing 35-45 mph sustained winds coming off the ocean," Judge said. "We still have the potential for 4 to 6 inches of rain. We had 1-2 inches of rain yesterday."
Residents should stay off the beach, said Tammy Malphurs, deputy chief of Volusia County's Beach Safety division.
"It's not the time to go and take pictures or video," she said. "One-hundred likes on social media is not worth dying for. The surf is extremely rough right now and Mother Nature doesn't play nice, nor does she play fair."
Coastal structures previously weakened by Hurricane Ian are sustaining further damage. One of the county's coastal bathroom buildings has been damaged by the waves.
From Ormond-by-the-Sea to Bethune Beach, there are dozens of structures that are unsafe, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said. That is why the curfew was put in place.
"Ian has weakened the infrastructure so bad, that we don't know what kind of building collapses may take place," Chitwood said.
Bridges will close when winds reach a sustained speed of 39 mph. They will reopen once they have been inspected by the Florida Department of Transportation.
