- April 24, 2024
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A curfew for evacuation Zone A on the barrier island will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, and a countywide curfew will begin at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10 in preparation for Hurricane Irma, county officials announced at a news conference Saturday, Sept. 9.
There will be checkpoints at bridges leading to the barrier islands, and only authorized people will be allowed to head east.
"Do not test our deputies," Sheriff Rick Staly said. "If you have a valid reason to go there, then fine. Bring your ID, let us know that you live on the barrier island with some proof, and we will accommodate you as best as we can. For those that want to test our will and want to try to prey on our community, we will take you to the Green Roof Inn. And if you don't know what that is, it's the county jail."
Violating the curfew is a misdemeanor, Staly said.
Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney said that drivers heading west from the barrier island portions of the city will be permitted to leave, but eastbound traffic will be turned away from the barrier island.
Both the Flagler County Sheriff's Office and the Flagler Beach Police Department will be monitoring checkpoints.
The bridges will not be closed to westbound traffic, Doughney said, but once winds reach 45 mph, emergency responders will not cross the bridge to aid people on the island.
"First responders cannot respond to an emergency call once winds reach 45 mph," Staly said. "Do not find yourself in that position. We really recommend that you evacuate as directed."
Doughney advised residents not to broadcast their evacuation plans on open social media: Thieves can use that information to know which houses to target.
In the immediate aftermath of the storm, only residents (with identification showing a barrier island address) and authorized people will be allowed to take the bridge east.
The county, through emergency ordinance, is temporarily banning the sale of alcoholic beverages after 7 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 10.
"We don't need hurricane parties going on that drive disturbances, and we don't need you driving impaired while people are trying to evacuate," Staly said.
The county's hurricane shelters are at 25% capacity, and the county may open an additional shelter to help people who get stuck passing through as they evacuate from other areas, County Administrator Craig Coffey said.
— News Editor Jonathan Simmons contributed to this story.
