Hurricane Irma Update 3
Posted On: September 8, 2017
Emergency Operations Center
- Volusia County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is at Level 1 (full activation) until 6 p.m. today.
- Saturday, the EOC will be fully activated at 8 a.m. and remain activated through the duration of the storm.
Citizen Information Center
- Volusia County’s Citizens Information Center (CIC) is available for persons with questions about how to prepare for Hurricane Irma. The CIC will be open until 8 p.m. today.
- Beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, the CIC will operate 24/7 until further notice. The number to call is 866-345-0345.
Storm Status
According to the National Weather Service Melbourne, Volusia County can expect:
- Conditions to begin to deteriorate Saturday evening and tropical storm force winds building from 39-74 mph.
- Sunday, we are projected to receive sustained Category 3 wind speeds, 111 mph, for about six hours.
- Conditions will not begin to improve until midday Monday.
- 3-6 foot storm surge; will be between low and high tide.
- 8-12 inches of rain; with some areas receiving 15 inches.
These conditions are subject to change as the storm continues to approach.
Evacuations
- Based on the latest storm track, we are ordering a mandatory evacuation beginning at 5 p.m. today.
- This evacuation is for residents on the beachside, in low-lying areas, and in RVs, mobile and manufactured homes.
- For residents who want to leave the area, we are asking you to go ahead and leave. However, the roads are very congested so you may not be able to go far. We do not want you to get stuck on the road during this storm so consider going to a public shelter.
- For those planning to go to a public shelter, go ahead and finish your preparations and plan to go to the shelters when they open Saturday morning.
- We want everyone to be at their destination by 8 p.m. Saturday.
Shelters
- Public shelters will begin opening Saturday morning in Volusia County. Please do not go to a public shelter before it is opened.
- A complete list is posted at www.volusia.org/pin. Use only this list – there many different shelter lists circulating, that are incorrect. Only refer to the one posted at www.volusia.org/pin.
- Two new general public shelters have been added and posted online:
- Ormond Middle School, 151 Domicilio Ave., Ormond Beach – Opening at 10 a.m. Saturday
- New Smyrna Beach High School, 1015 10th St., New Smyrna Beach – Opening at 10 a.m. Saturday
- Locations and directions to all of the shelters are available in the new EM app.
- The Daytona Beach International Airport is not a shelter.
- If planning to stay at a public shelter, make your final preparations today so you can get to a shelter in the morning. Please make sure you have all of your supplies together for you, your family and pets. There is a checklist in the EM app.
- Evacuees traveling through Volusia County who are unable to travel further due to mechanical or other issues, are encouraged to seek public shelter in Volusia County and not ride the storm out on the road.
Special needs shelters
- If you have special needs and are evacuating to a shelter, please come to a special needs shelter rather than a general public shelter.
- A complete list is posted at www.volusia.org/pin. Locations and directions are also available in the new EM app.
- Please get your items together today and make sure if you need a caregiver, they accompany and plan to stay with you at the shelter.
- Make sure you have your oxygen and medication refilled today, and bring any special dietary items and other medical items you may need.
- Please understand that the hospitals are not shelters.
Curfews and Bridges
- A countywide curfew will be in place beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday. We are asking everyone to stay inside. Once the storm passes, public safety officials will advise when the curfew will end.
- The bridges will be locked down as conditions deteriorate. Officials anticipate this to be between 6 and 9 a.m. Sunday (the threshold is sustained 39 mph winds).
- Once the storm passes, law enforcement will determine when it is safe to open the bridges. If there is limited access due to damage from the storm, beachside residents will need a photo identification and a utility bill or other document as proof of residency.
Safety during and after the storm
- Listen to local officials for updates and instructions.
- Check in with family and friends by texting, social media or the EM app.
- Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
- Watch out for debris and downed power lines. Power lines may look "dead" but could be energized.
- Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of fast-moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- Avoid flood water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris or places where the ground is washed away.
- Photograph the damage to your property to assist in filing an insurance claim.
- Do what you can to prevent further damage to your property, (for example putting a tarp on a damaged roof), as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm.
- Anyone affected by a storm should follow safe practices related to generators, grills, camp stoves and other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices. These devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage or camper – or even outside near an open window or window air conditioner.
- Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that can cause sudden illness and death if present in sufficient concentration in the ambient air. During a significant power outage, persons using alternative fuel or power sources such as generators and gasoline-powered engine tools might be exposed to toxic carbon monoxide levels if the fuel or power sources are placed inside or too close to the exterior of the building.
- If using a generator, follow the directions supplied with the generator. Under no circumstances should portable generators be used indoors, including inside a garage.
What to expect after the storm
- Hurricane Irma is a very different storm than Hurricane Matthew. When Hurricane Matthew affected us, it did not impact the entire state and passed by us about 30 miles offshore.
- Hurricane Irma is a large, intense storm coming up the state and affecting the entire state. We anticipate having more damage than Hurricane Matthew and power restoration to possibly take longer than after Hurricane Matthew.
- We encourage neighbors to help neighbors and be patient after this storm as it will take time to get the roads cleared and power restored.
- After the storm, if you move debris, please keep it 3-4 feet from the road and away from storm drains. Do not stack or lean debris on trees, poles or other structures, including fire hydrants or meters. Debris placed from the sidewalk toward your property will not be picked up.
- Normal household trash should be kept separate from storm debris. Storm debris should be separated into
- Vegetative debris: Leaves, logs, plants and tree branches. Do not put leaves in a bag.
- Construction and demolition debris: Building materials, carpet, drywall, furniture, lumber, mattresses and plumbing.
- Appliances and white goods: Air conditioners, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers and water heaters