- December 30, 2024
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Volusia and Flagler residents should begin preparations now as the National Hurricane Center expects Tropical Storm Milton to strengthen into a major storm impacting the Florida peninsula mid-week.
The NHC forecasts Milton to quickly intensify while it moves eastward across the Gulf of Mexico. As of early Monday afternoon the storm had developed into a Category 5 hurricane over the southern Gulf of Mexico with sustained winds of 160 mph.
In a livestreamed update on Sunday, Mike Brennan, director of the NHC in Miami, called Milton "a very dangerous situation" for Florida. The hurricane is expected to make landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast Wednesday evening.
"We're also expecting Milton's wind field to grow in size as it approaches the Florida peninsula," Brennan said. "So we're going to see widespread impacts, the potential for life threatening storm surge inundation, dangerous hurricane force winds along both coasts of Florida and even across portions of the peninsula as the storm is expecting maintain hurricane intensity as it moves across Florida, and the potential for heavy rainfall and flooding."
Residents should complete their storm preparations by Tuesday night and be prepared to shelter in place on Wednesday.
“On Wednesday, we expect to see Tropical Storm Force Winds — potentially hurricane rorce, coastal flooding, and inland flooding due to heavy rains,” Flagler County Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord said. “We urge all of our residents to complete preparations, on Monday, as if a Category 1 Hurricane is approaching our area.”
Evacuations may be required on Tuesday for those in mobile homes and RVs, as well as residents living on the island (Marineland down to Flagler Beach), and along the intracoastal waterway in Flagler Beach. Volusia County has not yet issued information on possible evacuations.
Hidden Trails Community Center (6108 Mahogany Blvd, Bunnell)
Sunday: Noon to sunset
Monday: 10 a.m. to sunset
Bay Drive Park (30 Bay Dr, The Hammock)
Sunday: Noon to sunset
Monday: 10 a.m. to sunset
Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church (915 North Central Ave)
Monday: Starting at 9 a.m.
Flagler Beach Fire Station (320 S. Flagler Ave)
Monday: Starting at 9 a.m.
Indian Trails Sports Complex (5455 Belle Terre Pkwy)
Sunday: Noon to sunset, or while supplies last
Monday: Starting at 8 a.m.
Volusia County Fire Rescue Station 22, Oak Hill Station (213 N. U.S. Highway 1, Oak Hill)
Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.
Volusia County Fire Rescue Station 23 (Turnbull Station, 1850 Pioneer Trail, New Smyrna Beach)
Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.
Volusia County Fire Rescue Station 34 (Indian Mound Station, 1700 Enterprise-Osteen Road, Osteen)
Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.
Residents may receive 10 sandbags at each location. Residents are reminded not to block the fire station bays at any of the locations to ensure emergency personnel can quickly respond to emergencies if needed.
Nova Community Center (440 N. Nova Road, Ormond Beach)
Sunday: Until 4 p.m.
Monday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
