- April 23, 2024
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Updated 5:28 p.m.
A State of Emergency has been declared by Gov. Rick Scott for the state of Florida. The National Hurricane Center predicts that Hurricane Matthew will travel in a path along Florida’s eastern coastline between now and Friday as a major hurricane.
It is unknown exactly what impacts Flagler County will feel. Based on the latest forecast posted on flagleremergency.com, tropical storm conditions could impact the Atlantic on Thursday night, and then Flagler County late Thursday night through early Saturday. The chance of Tropical Storm Force Winds is now 69%. The chance of Hurricane Force Winds is 14%.
“We have to plan for the worst and hope for the best,” Flagler County Administrator Craig Coffey said. “The track continues to fluctuate and we have to be ready to assist our residents in any way we can. A small deviation of the track could make the determination whether we have hurricane-force winds or not.”
The storm is currently at the eastern tip of Cuba with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph. There will be fluctuations in strength as it approaches Florida, but it will be a major storm.
The state has activated its Division of Emergency Management to execute the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. Flagler County has activated its Emergency Operations Center at level 2 for command and general staff.
“Emergency Management across the state is monitoring the situation very closely and making preparations,” Public Safety Emergency Manager Steve Garten said. “As the storm approaches, please make sure you have a plan in place for you and your family, including your pets, that includes providing for food, water and medications for several days.”
Scott is scheduled to visit Volusia County ahead of Hurricane Matthew. His press office also released updates on several ways the state is planning to react to the storm. Local officials are also making decisions about upcoming events. Visit flagleremergency.com for updates.
Below is a compilation of details provided from press releases from the various municipalities and agencies:
Flagler County officials are encouraging residents to sign up for the CodeRED weather warning notifications and for those requiring additional assistance to apply for the special needs evacuation shelter registry.
“Weather conditions can change rapidly,” said Steve Garten, Flagler County Public Safety Emergency Manager. “We especially want to make sure we have everyone with special needs registered as Hurricane Matthew approaches.”
More specifically, individuals who should register for special needs evacuation sheltering are people who require assistance with daily living or who have medical conditions that prevent or hinder their ability to care for themselves.
Residents with computer access can register for either or both online at www.flagleremergency.com.
The direct link for CodeRED is https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/7B3E2CD592C0. The link to the special needs application is http://flagleremergency.com/doc/psn_form.pdf.
The Flagler County Emergency Operations Center is operating at a heightened status, and has set up a call-in center for residents with questions.
“Our team of volunteers have been activated to man the phones, and the call line number is up and working,” said Steve Garten, public safety emergency manager.
That call in number will be 386-586-5111.
“We are doing our best to make sure everyone gets their questions answered,” Garten said. “Fill your car up with gasoline, make sure your important documents are in a water-tight container, and, of course, make sure you have water and non-perishable food.”
Volunteers are currently scheduled to answer the phones between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. If the weather conditions warrant it, the call-in center will be operational on Friday.
The state is working with the American Red Cross to identify shelter-staffing capacity in potential impact areas.
Approximately 200 members of the Florida National Guard will be activated to support hurricane preparedness and response. There are also more than 6,000 guardsmen ready to be deployed if needed.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is inventorying school food supplies in schools and state warehouses.
Utilities have been put on notice to start reporting outage and restoral information when notified to begin.
Utilities are contacting their mutual aid partners to determine availability if external resources are needed to restore services.
Monitoring the power grid for sufficient power in the state and the natural gas infrastructure for any damages that can cause a loss of service to power plants.
Army Corps of Engineers and Water Management Districts are monitoring waterways and are prepared to adjust flows as necessary.
Florida Department of Transportation is preparing evacuation routes, maintenance yards, construction zones, equipment and staff; testing and inventorying equipment; placing emergency crews on standby; reviewing emergency plans; preparing construction zones; and monitoring flood prone areas.
FDOT will continue to reach out to county emergency operations centers directly to coordinate any necessary response actions including activating traffic counters, providing local evacuation support and providing maintenance of traffic and other assistance.
With the threat of Hurricane Matthew this week, the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce will postpone the 12th-annual Creekside Festival until Nov. 5-6 (originally scheduled for Oct. 8-9). The decision was made shortly after Gov. Rick Scott declared a State of Emergency for the entire state after forecasters adjusted the trajectory of the storm to show that there is potential for Matthew to strike Florida and continue on a northward path.
The chamber’s Common Ground breakfast (scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 6) will also be rescheduled for Oct. 27.
Chamber President Rebecca DeLorenzo said, “We are hopeful that the storm’s impact to our community will be minimal; nonetheless, it’s necessary for all residents and businesses to take emergency preparations seriously in the event we experience a natural disaster.”
Call 437-0106 for more info on the chamber.
The Flagler County Department of Economic Opportunity is encouraging all business owners to prepare their business for the hurricane by doing the following:
In preparation for Hurricane Matthew, the city of Palm Coast has sand and sandbags available for residents at several locations. Palm Coast sand stations are self-serve. Residents should bring their own shovels and be prepared to fill the bags. A self-service sand station and sandbags are available during daylight hours at: Palm Coast Public Works Yard, 1 Wellfield Grade, off U.S. 1 just north of Palm Coast Parkway, Palm Coast.
In addition, empty sandbags (but no sand) are available during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at:
Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE, (corner of Palm Coast Parkway and Club House Drive), Palm Coast.
Palm Coast City Hall, 160 Lake Ave., Palm Coast.
Palm Coast Utility Department, 2 Utility Drive, Palm Coast.
Then, those empty sandbags can be filled at these two additional self-service sand stations:
Indian Trails Sports Complex, 5455 Belle Terre Pkwy., Palm Coast
Seminole Woods Neighborhood Park, 350 Sesame Blvd., Palm Coast
For more information, call Palm Coast Customer Service at 386-986-2360. In addition to the City’s sandbag locations, Flagler County and the cities of Bunnell and Flagler Beach have stations where citizens can get sandbags andsand. For information on those locations and other storm-prep information, visit www.flagleremergency.com.
Self-serve sandbags available are also available via Flagler County. Residents will need to bring their own shovels for filling bags, as this is self-service and open during daylight hours.
“We want to do everything we can to help residents protect their property,” County Administrator Craig Coffey said. “Rains and flooding are localized so we ask that only those who live in areas where flooding is imminent use the supplies.”
Flagler County will provide sand and bags at the following three locations:
· Fire Station 71, 89 E. County Road 2006, western Flagler County
· Fire Station 41, 5593 N. Oceanshore Boulevard, in the Hammock.
· Sand is on its way to Fire Station 92, at the Flagler Executive Airport, 201 Airport Road.
Sandbag materials are available in limited amounts and on a first-come, first-served basis.
The cities of Bunnell and Flagler Beach will provide sand and bags at the following locations:
· Bunnell Fire Station 62, 1601 Old Moody Blvd.
· Flagler Beach Fire Station 1, 320 S. Flagler Ave., in the front parking lot.
National Night Out, an annual crime prevention event that was planned for Tuesday, Oct. 4, has been canceled.
Also, Soda With A Cop, which was planned for Friday, Oct. 7, 4-7 p.m., at the Chick-fil-A restaurant in Palm Coast, is canceled, as is the planned K-9 fundraiser for Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Beachfront Grille.
Access Flagler First, always scheduled for on the first Friday every other month, is canceled this Friday, Oct. 7.
“Pastor (Charles) Silano and I look forward to seeing you on Friday, Dec. 2,” said Janet Nickels, program manager for Flagler County Human Services. “If you know of someone who regularly attends this event, please let them know and help us get the word out.”
Flagler County Citizens Academy, scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, will be canceled. All participants have been notified by phone.
“We want to do everything we can to keep everyone safe,” County Administrator Craig Coffey said. “We don’t know exactly where Matthew will go, but we are taking this hurricane very seriously.”
