- April 18, 2024
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Hurricane Ian is heading for Volusia County. It’s time to hunker down and stay off the roads.
If you haven’t already done so, take one quick, final look around your property. Be sure to take in anything – furniture, tools, flowerpots, wind chimes, yard debris – that could become airborne in high winds and cause damage or injury.
Volusia County remains under a hurricane warning and a flood watch. There will be a high risk for tornado activity during the storm. It’s important for everyone to identify a safe room in their home where they can go during a tornado. This should be an interior room with no windows. Also, be sure to keep your weather radio on and take it to your safe room with you.
Stay off the roads
This isn’t the time to be out on the roads. Residents should shelter in place and stay off the roads until they’re informed that it’s safe to go out. Standing water, downed trees and other debris could make roads dangerous and impassible. Not only that, but at some point during the storm, emergency crews may not be able to respond to calls.
Traffic signals
Some traffic signals are not operating. Intersections with non-operating traffic lights should be treated as four-way stops.
Bridges
All bridges will close when sustained winds reach 39 mph.
Flood watch
Volusia County is under a flood watch. Rainfall of 12 to 18 inches is likely today into Sunday. Expect widespread flooding and up to 24 inches of rain in pockets. Due to moderate onshore winds, tides could run 1 to 3 feet above normal today and Thursday.
Shelters
Volusia County Schools and Volusia County have opened four shelters. Their capacity is 1,119. So far, 159 people have entered the shelters. If you plan to go to a shelter, do so quickly as conditions will continue to deteriorate.
General population shelters are:
Special needs shelters are:
Curfew
The countywide curfew will be in effect from 8 p.m. tonight through Thursday and will resume from 8 p.m. Thursday through 7 a.m. Friday. The curfew doesn’t apply to regular members of law enforcement bodies, regular employees of business, industries or government entities while traveling from their jobs and all emergency workers.
Downed power lines
If you see a downed line, assume that it’s electrified and don’t touch it or go near it. Report it to your power company as well as the Citizens Information Center at 866-345-0345.
Generator safety
Never use a generator indoors or outside near windows, vents or air intakes that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. This could be fatal. Also, proper ventilation is critical to reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator’s engine exhaust. When using one, be sure to maintain plenty of air flow space around the generator. And consider buying a CO detector.
County offices libraries
Daytona Beach International Airport
With the exception of government and emergency aircraft, Daytona Beach International Airport is closed and all flights have been canceled until further notice. Flyers are encouraged to contact their airline for scheduling updates.
Beaches
Residents and visitors are urged to stay off the beach. This is not the time to surf or go into the ocean. Volusia County beaches are experiencing extremely dangerous rip currents and eight-foot waves.
Volusia County Schools
Public schools are closed through Friday.
Updated information
Information on closures and other storm information can be found at www.volusia.org/PIN. Residents are also encouraged to register for emergency alerts at www.volusia.org/emergency.
The Citizens Information Center remains open 24/7 to answer questions and provide information. Residents can call 866-345-0345.
