Officials are keeping a close eye on three disturbances in the Atlantic, one which may be near Flagler County as we head into the weekend. While the potential for development is currently low, it’s never to early to prepare for anything that may come our way over the next several months.
“While it is too early to tell what sort of impacts, if any, these disturbances will pose for Flagler County, now is the perfect time to make sure you are ready for any potential hurricane,” said Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord. “We are still approaching the peak of hurricane season.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring three disturbances. Emergency Management is keeping a keen eye one that is about 850 miles southeast and traveling in the general direction of Flagler County. It has a 10% chance of further development.
“Historically, the busiest part of hurricane season for is between mid-August and mid-October,” Lord said. “But we shouldn’t be complacent as tropical storms can strike any time during the season. They cannot even be ruled out outside of the June through November window.”
One procedural change this year is that Emergency Management has a new map to help the Flagler County community understand who may need to evacuate in a hurricane. It includes an eastern Potential Hurricane Evacuation Zone and a western Potential Lake Flood Zone. To view the map, go to the Emergency Managementwebpage and click on Hurricane Evacuation Zones to enter an address to determine if it is one that may be ordered to evacuate for a hurricane.
Individual, household, and business preparedness – for all disasters, not just tropical storms and hurricanes – is urged. For more guidance on how to prepare for and deal with disasters, download the countywide Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Guide at www.FlaglerCounty.gov/emergency, or pick-up a copy at any local library, the Flagler Beach Historical Museum, and many other government offices. The latest version of this guide includes the new Potential Hurricane Evacuation Zones map.
Disaster preparedness steps include:
- Build a disaster supply kit – that contains food, water, medications, flashlights and batteries, and clothing to live “off the grid” for a full seven (7) days.
- Make a plan – that includes home or business structural preparation, where to stay if evacuated (shelters will open but staying with friends or family or in a hotel should be considered first), how to communicate with loved ones, consideration of any special needs that should be addressed.
- Be informed – sign up for emergency notifications at www.FlaglerCounty.gov/AlertFlagler, and have a battery powered AM/FM radio.
- Get involved – register for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training and other volunteering and training opportunities by going to www.FlaglerCounty.gov/emergency and selecting “Volunteering & Training.”
Residents are encouraged to like and follow FlaglerEOC on social media. Even those who are not social media users can view Emergency Management’s latest updates by visiting:
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/FlaglerEOC
- Twitter: www.Twitter.com/FlaglerEOC
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/FlaglerEOC
For more information about emergency preparedness, please visit www.FlaglerCounty.gov/emergency or call 386-313-4200 during normal business hours.
