Ian Update 12: Evacuations, shelters and curfews

Posted On: September 27, 2022

Hurricane Ian is now a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 125 mph.

Evacuations

Volusia County has issued a voluntary evacuation order. People who live in RVs, mobile homes or low-lying areas may wish to find accommodations with friends or family members. People in these risk areas may use public shelters as a site of last resort.

Shelters

Volusia County Schools and Volusia County Government will open four shelters at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28.

General population shelters are:

• Mainland High School, 1255 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach
• DeLand High School, 800 N. Hill Ave., DeLand

Special needs shelters are:

• Atlantic High School, 1250 Reed Canal Road, Port Orange
• Galaxy Middle School, 2400 Eustace Ave., Deltona

All four shelters will accept pets. Those staying at a shelter with their pets must bring necessary pet  items and supplies.

Shelters should be used only as a last resort because the shelters do not provide luxury accommodations.

Evacuees may need to stay at a shelter for 24 to 72 hours during an emergency. Since space is limited, only take essential items. Avoid bringing valuables; shelters are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Necessary items include:

• Special dietary food, snacks or comfort food, water or other non-alcoholic beverages
• Bedding: pillow, blanket, etc. - general population shelters do not provide cots, so a comfortable beach chair and sleeping pad are recommended
• Ear plugs
• Extra clothing
• Medications and medical supplies
• Oxygen supplies or arrange with your oxygen company to deliver to the designated special needs oxygen shelter
• Toiletry items
• Flashlight and batteries
• Diapers, infant and elderly/disabled necessities
• Time occupiers such as books, magazines, games or cards

Special needs shelters

Hospitals are not shelters.

Special needs shelters are not for isolation patients or people who need 24-hour dedicated care, a hospital bed, ventilator and other complex care. These individuals should discuss other shelter arrangements with their physician or home health service provider or caregiver.

Only one caregiver will be admitted for each patient.

Curfews

The Volusia County Council has issued an emergency countywide curfew to protect and safeguard the health, safety and welfare of Volusia County residents and visitors. The curfew will be in effect from:

• 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, through 7 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 29
• 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, through 7 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30

The curfew does not apply to:

• Regular members of law enforcement bodies
• Regular employees of business, industries or government entities while traveling from their jobs
• All emergency workers

Any person who knowingly violates this ordinance shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment in the county jail for up to 60 days.

Closures

• Volusia County parks will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.
• Volusia County Clerk of the Court offices will be closed Wednesday through Friday.
• Lyonia Environmental Center will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.
• The New Smyrna Museum of History is closed through Oct. 1.

Sandbags

Sandbag information is constantly changing, and county staff is updating the list of sites frequently at www.volusia.org/sandbags.

Public information

Residents can call the Citizens Information Center at 866-345-0345 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the Emergency Operations Center activation.

To find the most up-to-date information and a list of resources, visit www.volusia.org/pin.