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Volusia County's Citizens Information Center will begin 24-hour operations starting at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, to provide information on safety issues, evacuation routes, and community support services during Hurricane Milton. Call 866-345-0345. |
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Volusia County Expands Evacuation Order
Due to the increased threat of local impacts from Hurricane Milton, Volusia County has expanded its evacuation order to include all of Evacuation Zone A, effective at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9. The expansion still encompasses all areas east of the Intracoastal Waterway and now also includes:
The evacuation order also applies countywide to the following:
Residents and visitors can verify their specific evacuation zone by clicking here to enter their address. Residents needing to travel long distances are urged to depart sooner to avoid potential delays. Areas and homes that flooded during Hurricane Ian may experience flooding during Hurricane Milton. It is recommended that all evacuations be complete by 8 p.m. Wednesday evening when the Volusia Sheriff’s Office curfew goes into effect. |
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Emergency Shelters to Open Across the County Volusia County will open emergency shelters at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9. General population shelters will include:
Special needs shelters, which will be staffed by health care professionals, will also be available. Evacuees should be accompanied by only one caregiver. These shelters are not for isolated patients or people who need 24-hour dedicated care, a hospital bed, a ventilator, or other complex care. Special needs shelters will include:
Votran and Volusia County Schools will provide free transportation to public shelters.
Curfew begins at 8 p.m. Wednesday A curfew will be in effect from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, to 8 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, to discourage unnecessary traffic during the height of the storm. The curfew does not apply to:
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.
Wednesday is the Final Day for Sandbags Volusia County sandbag operations will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Oct. 9, while supplies last. This is the last opportunity for Volusia County residents to fill sandbags at the following locations:
Each household may receive 10 sandbags, and residents are reminded to bring a shovel. Proof of Volusia County residency is required at all County-operated locations. Several municipalities are also distributing sandbags; most require proof of residency. Residents living in incorporated cities should contact their local government for eligibility guidelines.
Beach Driving Suspended Oct. 9 and 10
On-beach driving in Volusia County will be suspended on Wednesday, Oct. 9, and Thursday, Oct. 10. In addition, all beach restrooms, coastal parks, and inlet parks will be closed. Residents and visitors are strongly discouraged from visiting the beach and entering the ocean as Hurricane Milton approaches, passes through, and leaves Volusia County. There will be no staffed lifeguard towers, and Beach Safety is flying the red flag as hazardous rip current conditions, high tides, and high surf are expected throughout the storm. For real-time updates on open beach ramps, lifeguard tower locations, and weather conditions, download the Volusia Beaches app.
Daytona Beach International Airport to Cease Commercial Operations Daytona Beach International Airport will cease commercial passenger and private operations at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9. All flights after this time are canceled except for government, emergency, and humanitarian aircraft. Resumption of commercial service at DAB will be determined after post-storm inspections. Passengers should check with their airlines for updates to flight schedules. As a reminder, the airport is not a designated shelter. Keep up to date on airport information by visiting the airport’s social media channels (Facebook, Instagramand X) and website, flydab.com.
County Offices to Close at Noon Wednesday All Volusia County offices, including library branches, will be closed from noon Wednesday, Oct. 9, through Thursday, Oct. 10. Weather permitting, facilities will reopen for normal business hours on Friday, Oct. 11.
Tomoka Landfill to Close Thursday
The Tomoka Landfill and the West Volusia Transfer Station will be open during normal operating hours through Wednesday, Oct. 9. Both locations and administrative offices will be closed Thursday, Oct. 10. Weather permitting, both facilities will reopen for normal business hours on Friday, Oct.11.
Health Department Closed until Monday
The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County ceased normal operations at noon Tuesday in anticipation of Hurricane Milton and to prepare the special needs shelters in the county. All health department locations are expected to reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 15.
Livestock Owners Urged to Prepare Animals Volusia County officials remind livestock owners to prepare for Hurricane Milton by identifying low-lying or flood-prone areas on their property and locating a place with higher ground where animals can use their survival instinct or be evacuated. As a refuge of last resort, county residents who own livestock may transport them to the Volusia County Fairgrounds if they are concerned that their property may flood and livestock would not be able to seek higher ground. Owners should bring feed and water for livestock. They can keep livestock on the trailer or tie them off and stay in the pet friendly shelter at the fairgrounds, which will open at 9 a.m. Wednesday. All animals should have a visible form of identification with the owner’s contact information. For cattle, pigs, and small ruminants like goats and sheep, ear tags are a great way to identify animals. Horse owners can also use ear tags or braid the ID into the horse’s main or tail. If owners cannot access tags, they can write phone numbers on the animal’s hide with animal approved oil paint sticks. UF/IFAS Extension Director Kalan Taylor explains: “Larger livestock (horses, cattle, sheep, goats) do well turned in a field with high ground because they will use their survival instincts if the storm hits. Smaller livestock (sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits) do well in pens or structures to keep them safe. However, owners know their animals best and should use their judgement on a case-by-case basis.” For more information, call the Extension at 386-822-5778.
Votran Offers Free Rides to Shelters Votran will operate regular bus routes as long as storm conditions permit on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Based on current weather projections, final buses will depart their starting points at 4 p.m., with all operations ending at 5 p.m. All Votran vehicles will be removed from the roads once winds reach sustained speeds of 35 mph. After the storm, Votran will assess the roads and resume once conditions allow. In coordination with Volusia County Emergency Management, Votran is facilitating emergency preparations. With emergency shelters across Volusia County opening tomorrow morning, Votran will offer free transportation to these locations. During a declared emergency evacuation order, all Votran bus stops will serve as evacuation assembly points. For individuals with special needs who cannot access regular bus stops, Votran encourages them to contact their customer service team directly to arrange transportation as soon as possible. Shelter Transfer Points and Special Routes Starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, four transfer points will facilitate transitions between Votran and school buses bound for shelters. These points include the Transfer Plaza in Daytona Beach, DeLand ITF (Routes 30 & 31), Market Place Connection Point in Orange City (Routes 31 & 33), and the Julia & Sams Connection Point in New Smyrna Beach (Route 40, NSB Flex, and Edgewater Flex Services). A special evacuation route will also operate in Edgewater and Oak Hill from 8 a.m. Wednesday until weather conditions deteriorate. This route, marked "Evacuation Bus," will travel along U.S. 1 from New Smyrna Beach to Oak Hill, looping back to where evacuees can transfer to school buses. Route 60 will run hourly on Wednesday. The last full route departs from the Transfer Plaza and Amelia Superstop at 3:32 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., respectively. A final trip at 4:02 p.m. from the Transfer Plaza will only go as far as the Volusia County Branch Jail. Limited Votran Gold and VoRide Operations On Wednesday, Votran Gold Service will prioritize life-sustaining trips and automatically cancel all nonessential trips. The service will conclude at noon. The Votran office lobby will remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday. VoRide services in West Volusia will continue as long as safety allows. Riders are advised to complete essential travel before conditions deteriorate. Post-Storm Services and Re-entry Votran is committed to facilitating evacuees' swift return to their homes. This decision will be coordinated with county, state, and municipal law enforcement agencies, as well as adjacent counties, and publicly announced. Upon resumption after the storm, Votran bus service will follow a modified schedule until road conditions are deemed safe for travel. Some routes may be altered or suspended based on roadway assessments. Contact Votran For further information or assistance, residents can contact Votran at the following numbers: Daytona Beach at 386-761-7700, West Volusia at 386-943-7033, and New Smyrna Beach at 386-424-6800.
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Stay Informed |
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Residents are encouraged to download the Volusia Emergency Management app, follow Volusia County on social media, subscribe to the county newsletter, and visit www.volusia.org for the latest updates. |