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Hurricane Ian’s outer bands have begun whipping southeast Florida with Category 4-force winds and calamitous amounts of rain as forecasters say it’s on a path across the peninsula toward Volusia County. Throughout Wednesday, the News-Journal will post updates here, so check back for the latest from East Central Florida.
Quick Hurricane Ian links for Volusia-Flagler-St. Johns counties
1:31 p.m. | Gov. Ron DeSantis comments on Hurricane Ian
.Gov. Ron DeSantis, at a news conference this afternoon, advised residents that “not every power outage is going to be created equal across the state.”
He warned electricity infrastructure is in line to be damaged by wind and storm surge and reconnection efforts will vary depending on the nature of the outage.
Asked about those people who were advised to evacuate but chose to remain in place, DeSantis said it was voluntary.
“Local officials are not going to grab ’em by the shirt collar and drag ’em out of the house,” DeSantis said. He promised rescues will begin ASAP.
1:15 p.m. | Reminder: Volusia County imposed curfews Wednesday, Thursday nights
A countywide curfew will be in effect from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday and between the same hours Thursday into Friday. The Volusia County Council put the curfew in place to keep people safe and to give space to electric company officials and first responders to do their jobs, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said.
“We don’t need you out there at the height of the storm being a sightseer and snapping selfies,” he said.
Violating the curfew could cost someone up to $500 and up to 60 days in jail.
The curfew doesn’t apply to law enforcement, emergency workers or people traveling for work at a business, industry or government entity, according to the county.
— Sheldon Gardner
1:12 p.m. | Beachside braces for Hurricane Ian evacuations
Officials with Daytona Beach Shores on Wednesday reminded residents that once wind speeds reach a sustained 39 mph, all bridges crossing the Halifax River will be closed. Current projections say whose wind speeds could be reached by Wednesday afternoon or evening. Bridges will be reopened following inspections by the Florida Department of Transportation.
Also in Daytona Beach Shores, the Publix at 3044 S. Atlantic Ave. and the Walgreens at 3004 S. Atlantic Ave. are closed until further notice.
— Dave Wersinger
12:04 a.m. | Votran halts service, DBIA closing for Hurricane Ian
Votran, Volusia County’s public transportation system, will suspend service Thursday and will reopen Friday if weather allows, according to a county news release. Votran could suspend operations today if sustained winds reach 39 mph. For updates people can go to Votran’s website.
Also, Daytona Beach International Airport’s terminal building and airfield will close at 12:35 p.m. today, and all future flights have been canceled until further notice, Volusia County officials announced. The county is encouraging people to check with their airlines for flight updates.
— Sheldon Gardner
11:33 a.m. | Emergency alerts, declarations ahead of Hurricane Ian
The National Weather Service has issued a Hurricane Warning for part of Volusia County.
The message, sent to cell phones, warns of “dangerous and damaging winds,” and recommends residents “urgently complete efforts to protect life and property. Have food, water, cash, fuel and medications for 3+ days.”
Also, Volusia County has declared a state of emergency, giving officials powers and access to additional resources. The county has imposed a curfew starting at 8 p.m. Wednesday until 7 a.m. Thursday. For more, see Sheldon Gardner’s story.
11:51 a.m. | Glimpses from around the state as Hurricane Ian arrives
With Hurricane Ian arriving at Florida’s Gulf Coast, we are preparing in Volusia and Flagler counties but also keeping an eye on our neighbors. Our thoughts meander to the estimated 2.5 million Floridians who’ve already been evacuated and all others who are either hunkering down at home or voluntarily leaving.
The USA TODAY Network has reporters across Florida delivering the stories of the storm.
Here are a few worth checking out:
Naples Daily News: Hurricane Ian: What our reporters are seeing from where they are
Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Near-Category 5 Hurricane Ian’s eyewall starts to move onshore with 155 mph winds
Fort Myers News-Press: Where is Jim Cantore? Weather Channel meteorologist spotted in Punta Gorda
11:27 a.m. | Different storms, similar paths. Comparing Hurricanes Ian and Charley
While Hurricane Ian has an eerily similar path to a previous devastating storm from Florida’s past, Charley in 2004, there are key differences between the storms, writes C.A. Bridges. For one, their speed.
Charley was plowing over Florida at a 21-25 mph clip, while Ian has slowed to 9 mph.
“That means Ian will have more time to crawl across the state, more time for wind, rain and flooding, more time to generate tornadoes, and more time to cause devastation to infrastructure, power lines and homes,” Bridges writes in a story comparing the two. Check it out here.
11:14 a.m. | AdventHealth details preparations for Hurricane Ian
AdventHealth hospitals across Central Florida, including in Volusia and Flagler counties, are girding for Hurricane Ian, according to a news release.
“The health system has stockpiled thousands of gallons of water and generators are standing by to run the hospital on emergency power if necessary. Sandbags are prepared should they be needed to secure doors and windows,” the release states.
The release advises that hospitals are not public shelters, and those seeking shelter can use one of the six county-run shelters in Volusia and Flagler counties.
“The safety of our patients, visitors and team members is of the utmost importance,” said Dr. Neil Finkler, Chief Clinical Officer of AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division. “Our patients can rest assured that the hospital is a safe place, that we are fully staffed and will continue to deliver our advanced level of care throughout Hurricane Ian. All of our hospitals and freestanding ERs are open for our community’s emergent health needs.”
11:07 a.m. | Volusia ECHO workshop canceled due to Hurricane Ian
The fall 2022 ECHO grant cycle workshop that had been scheduled for Thursday has been rescheduled to 9 a.m. Oct. 6. The workshop is mandatory for prospective applicants. For information about the grants, people can go to the county’s ECHO web page.
— Sheldon Gardner
10:35 a.m. | Volusia County offers water tips ahead of Hurricane Ian
Volusia County officials have issued an advisory on drinking water, tips for before and after Hurricane Ian bowls over the Florida peninsula on Wednesday and Thursday.
Tips for before the storm’s arrival:
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Store a supply of drinking water before the storm.
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To store water, use food-grade containers. Clean, airtight containers such as two-liter soda jugs can be filled with drinking water. Sterilize containers by sponging and swabbing them with unscented bleach. Rinse well and dry. Milk containers should not be used as they are difficult to clean thoroughly and don’t have an airtight seal.
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If re-use disposable plastic bottles, do not keep them for more than a month.
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Sterilize the bathtub in the same manner as containers. Water stored in the tub should be used for washing and flushing the toilet.
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Purchase water purifying tablets, generally available from a local pharmacy.
Suggestions for after the storm:
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Check local news bulletins to determine if there is a boil-water order in effect for your area.
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If a boil-water notice is issued, do not give water from the faucet to humans or pets or use it for washing, cleaning, cooking, brushing teeth, or making ice or formula. Bring tap water to a rolling boil for minute before using it for drinking, cooking or ice-making. It is not necessary to boil water for showering or other external uses.
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Restrict the use of running water until power is restored to all areas. During power outages, lift stations that normally pump raw sewage/wastewater may not be operating if they are not powered by a generator. In these cases, the system can eventually back up into your street or showers, toilets and sink drains inside your home.
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Engage in safe hygiene practices to sanitize hands.
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If the water quality is questionable, there are three ways to disinfect it.
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Boil water at a rolling boil for one minute to kill infectious organisms.
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Use water purifying tablets (generally available from the local pharmacy), according to package directions.
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Use unscented household bleach. Add eight drops (1/8 teaspoon) of household bleach per gallon of water. Mix thoroughly. Let stand for another 30 minutes. The water will not be toxic, but it will have a chlorine odor and taste.
When dealing with private water wells:
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Remove the plug or cap from the tops of the well casing.
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Pour two quarts of bleach into the well.
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Replace plug or cap.
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Open all outlets on the system and allow water to run until the chlorine odor is noticeable.
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Allow chlorine to remain in the system at least six hours but preferably overnight, then run water from all outlets until the system is free of chlorine.
10:28 a.m. | Daytona Beach City Hall closing early Wednesday due to Hurricane Ian
Daytona Beach City Hall, community centers and facilities will be closing at 2 p.m. Wednesday due to Hurricane Ian and will not reopen until Monday, the city announced.
City emergency and public safety staff will continue to monitor the track of the storm and provide essential services. The city’s emergency operations center has been activated. To get Daytona Beach emergency notifications, go to the city’s website.
10:25 a.m. | Flights canceled at DBIA due to Hurricane Ian’s effects
American Airlines has canceled all flights for Wednesday and the 6 a.m. departure on Thursday at the Daytona Beach International Airport.
The airport is open, but Volusia County officials are encouraging people to check with airlines about their flights.
The airport is not a shelter. For a shelter list and other hurricane information, people can go to volusia.org/PIN.
— Sheldon Gardner
10:20 a.m. | ERAU professor to fly in Hurricane Hunter through Ian
Josh Wadler, assistant professor of meteorology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is doing the opposite of hunkering down on Wednesday.
He’s flying into the eye of Hurricane Ian aboard NOAA’s Hurricane Hunter aircraft, all in the name of science. For more, read my story.
10:17 a.m. | Volusia County meeting cancellations due to Hurricane Ian
Volusia County officials have canceled several meetings because of Hurricane Ian: the Volusia Growth Management Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, the Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, the Cultural Council of Volusia County meeting scheduled for Friday and the Become a Climate Smart Floridian meeting scheduled for Saturday.]
— Sheldon Gardner
10:06 a.m. | Volusia County calls 3 p.m. press conference on Hurricane Ian
Volusia County has called a 3 p.m. news conference Wednesday, when officials will discuss Ian’s expected effects on Volusia County, countywide preparations that are underway, safety information for residents during the storm, possible flooding impacts and the county’s emergency response.
The news conference will be broadcast live on the Volusia County Emergency Management Facebook page and the county’s YouTube channel.
10:02 a.m. | Hurricane Ian school closures updates
Volusia County Schools announced schools — which were already canceled for Wednesday and Thursday — will remain closed Friday. “This will allow our schools to remain as shelters throughout the storm event,” the announcement reads.
Also, Daytona State College announced classes will be canceled on Friday, as well.
9:51 a.m. | Flagler County orders evacuations for Hurricane Ian
Flagler County has ordered evacuations effective 1 p.m. Wednesday, according to a press release from the county’s public information officer, Julie Murphy.
Evacuations are ordered for the following areas in Flagler County.
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everyone in mobile homes and RV’s anywhere in the county.
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everyone in Zone A, which is the barrier island from Flagler Beach to Marineland.
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low-lying areas in Zone B, which is the Bulowville neighborhoods east of John Anderson Highway and the Palm Drive and Lambert Avenue neighborhoods.
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Non-elevated homes in the low-lying areas of Zone F, which is the area surrounding and near Crescent Lake and Dead Lake to include Daytona North.
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Flagler County will open shelters at 1 p.m.
Bunnell Elementary School at 305 N. Palmetto Street, Bunnell, is the shelter for general population and pets. A maximum of four pets will be allowed per family. Permissible pets are dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, rodents and turtles. No snakes, reptiles or farm animals will be permitted.
Rymfire Elementary School, 1425 Rymfire Drive, Palm Coast, is the shelter for special needs. A caregiver should remain at the shelter with the individual. The shelters provide only limited medical care.
Residents are encouraged to arrive to the shelters by 4 p.m. Wednesday and to bring their own bedding. Single and twin-size inflatable mattresses are preferred due to the space limits.
Residents should bring a five-day supply of medications, medical supplies and equipment, sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, extra charges and batteries for devices and important documents, including identification, insurance and medical history.
Meals will be served but residents should bring “comfort foods” and snacks, the release stated.
No weapons, alcohol or illegal narcotics will be allowed.
“We urge those who are going to stay with relatives, friends or at hotels to complete their evacuation by noon,” said Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord. “This will clear that traffic by 1 p.m. when those who are going to shelters need to leave. They will open at 1 p.m.”
—Frank Fernandez
9:00 a.m. | Gov. Ron DeSantis: Storm headed toward Volusia County
More quotes from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ press conference: “I think one thing for Central Florida, because we’ve had a lot of saturation, trees are gonna come down, even with tropical storm-force winds. It does not need to be hurricane-force. You are absolutely going to see that.
“That is going to cause interruptions in power and of course the sheer amount of rain that’s gonna come down. That’s going to have a major impact across the center portion of the state and even with the projected exit of the state in Volusia County, because of what it’s going to do in the Atlantic you’re going to see impacts all the way up to Nassau County and Duval County.”
8:58 a.m. | Gov. Ron DeSantis: Hurricane Ian is going to be ‘the real deal’
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced at a press conference the storm’s maximum sustained winds have reached 155 mph, “and that is knocking on the door of a Category 5 storm,” as it moved at 10 mph toward Charlotte County.
“We expect landfall in southwest Florida later today as a major hurricane and will slowly move across the central Florida peninsula before exiting the northeast Florida coast probably sometime on Thursday,” DeSantis said.
About 2.5 million people along Florida’s Gulf Coast had been under evacuation orders in advance of the storm. Collier, Lee, Charlotte and Sarasota counties are considered at highest risk of winds, storm surge and flooding, officials said.
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This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Live Updates: Hurricane Ian outer bands battering Florida coast