Flagler County urges residents, businesses to prepare for possible tropical storm

The tropical cyclone currently over Cuba is expected to travel along the west coast of Florida from Saturday into Sunday, potentially becoming a tropical storm in the process.


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  • | 4:20 p.m. August 2, 2024
Tropical Cyclone 4 may impact the west coast of Florida sometime late Sunday to early Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Graphic courtesy of the National Hurricane Center
Tropical Cyclone 4 may impact the west coast of Florida sometime late Sunday to early Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Graphic courtesy of the National Hurricane Center
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Flagler County Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord is asking residents and businesses to be prepared in the event “potential tropical cyclone 4” indeed spins up to become Tropical Storm Debby this weekend.

The system is currently over Cuba and is expected to travel along the west coast of Florida from Saturday evening into Sunday where it will make landfall and then travel northeast towards the Florida or Georgia east coast.

“As it is currently expected to be a tropical storm when it is closest to our area there is a possibility of low-end sustained Tropical Storm force winds, below 58 mph – particularly along the coast and other large open areas,” Lord said. “As with any tropical storm, there is the potential for rough and or elevated seas.”

Conditions are not expected to be such that would warrant either evacuation orders or opening emergency shelters.

“Take time today and Saturday – at the latest – to make sure that your emergency supply kits are fully stocked, and your emergency plans are up to date,” Lord said. “And, please, make sure that everyone in your household is aware.”

Build a Kit

  • Gather supplies – now before store shelves are emptied – that will last for a week after a disaster for everyone in the home.
  • Don’t forget to consider the unique needs that each person or pet may have.
  • The kit should include nonperishable food, water, medications, clothing, cash (as credit card/ATM machines may not work), radios, and batteries.
  • Portability is key should evacuation be required.

Make a Plan

  • Talk to friends and family about how communicating before, during, and after a disaster will work.
  • Have a primary, secondary, and possibly even a tertiary plan for where to go in the event of an evacuation.
  • Consider staying with family or friends outside of the evacuation area in addition to hotels or motels. (NOTE: Flagler County always opens public shelters at the time evacuations are ordered.)

“We want to make sure that you are prepared and not worried about the approaching tropical system,” Lord said. “It remains possible that we see very few impacts from this system, but just in case we do have tropical-storm impacts, please take time now to be prepared.”

Individual, household, and business preparedness – for all disasters, not just tropical storms and hurricanes – is urged. For more guidance on how to prepare for and deal with disasters, download the countywide Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Guide at www.FlaglerCounty.gov/emergency, or pick-up a copy at any local library, the Flagler Beach Historical Museum, city halls, and the County Administration Building. The latest version of this guide includes the new Potential Hurricane Evacuation Zones map, which can also be viewed by clicking on “Hurricane Evacuation Zones” at www.FlaglerCounty.gov/emergency

Find additional preparedness information at www.FlaglerCounty.gov/emergency and by following Flagler County Emergency Management:

Sign up for the ALERTFlagler notification system at www.FlaglerCounty.gov/AlertFlagler.

Follow Flagler County Government on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FlaglerCountyGovernment.

 

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