Multiple officials with the Flagler County government held a news conference at the Emergency Operations Center Tuesday ahead of Hurricane Milton. Leading the gathering was Jonathan Lord, Director of the Flagler County Emergency Management Department. He broke down the most recent weather assessments, and the procedures for preparation less than two days from Milton’s arrival.
Also present was Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly, Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin, County Commissioner Andy Dance, Flagler Beach City Commissioner Scott Spradley, Palm Coast City Manager Lauren Johnston, and Flagler Superintendent LaShakia Moore.
Lord announced that a mandatory evacuation will go into effect at 8:00 am on Wednesday for several at-risk areas in the county. Residents who should prepare to evacuate (on Tuesday if able, per Lord) are those who reside anywhere on the barrier island from the St. Johns county line to the Volusia county line including Marineland and Flagler Beach, residents near Crescent Lake and Dead Lake where flooding is common in hurricanes, and residents countywide who reside in mobile homes or RVs. Additionally, residents living on John Anderson Highway, the Bulow RV Resort, Lambert Ave, Palm Coast Plantation, Princess Place Preserve, and Marina del Palma should also prepare to evacuate.
A mandatory curfew will be in place countywide starting at 7:00 pm on Wednesday and continuing until 7:30 am Thursday. Sheriff Staly said the curfew will repeat on subsequent days as necessary depending on the amount of damage and flooding. Patrols from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and the police departments in Bunnell and Flagler Beach will be ready to respond to violators, as well as to rescue residents as the weather allows.
Shutters and sandbags are recommended for residents whose homes are prone to impact from flooding and high winds. Lord stopped short of advising the measures for the whole county, saying residents should use their knowledge of their homes to make an informed decision. Milton is expected to arrive as a Category 1 hurricane when it hits Flagler County, with ten to fifteen inches of rain anticipated. Already the county has been hit with about 5.5 inches of rain since Saturday, according to Lord.
A shelter will be opened at Rymfire Elementary School at 8:00 am on Wednesday, remaining open as necessary. Flagler Schools has made the decision to close its facilities through Friday. Those who are seeking refuge at Rymfire are encouraged to bring essentials like ID, keys, medical records, water, non-perishable food, prescriptions, electronics, a flashlight, and emergency contact information.
The City of Flagler Beach announced they'd be shutting off the city's lift station for up to twelve hours during the peak of the storm, hampering the city's water processing temporarily. Flagler Beach residents are encouraged to use running water only when absolutely necessary while Milton passes through. Those with questions or concerns are asked to contact the city via email at comment@cityofflaglerbeach.com.
The county's other dignitaries largely echoed the sentiments of Lord and Staly and asked residents to heed their advice. County Commissioner Dance, City Commissioner Spradley, and Mayor Alfin all advised to stay safe and follow their municipalities' social media for up-to-date information. WNZF will be broadcasting information on 94.9 FM and 1550 AM.
