VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - A mandatory evacuation was ordered Wednesday evening for Volusia County residents living on the beach side, low-lying areas and RV and mobile-home parks.
Residents were encouraged to evacuate before Thursday night, officials said.
The county's public shelters will open at 8 a.m. Thursday. A list of locations will be announced Thursday morning before the shelters open, the county said.
Because the county's website is running slow due to the high traffic, officials urge residents to check Volusia County's Emergency Management Facebook page and Twitter account for updated information.
The county was placed under a hurricane warning Wednesday morning as Hurricane Matthew slowly churned its way north.
The county plans to shut down the bridges to the mainland at sundown Thursday, officials said. Deputies will barricade the bridges to stop anyone from getting across.
“Get out. You have plenty of time to get out. We can’t come get you,” said recently-elected Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood.
Resident Vince Ferinte said he believed his family, including his daughter and grandchildren, can make it through the hurricane despite the warnings from state and local officials.
“They’re like us to leave but we’re going to try and stick it out,” said Ferinte.
But homeowners like Heath Barrow aren’t taking the risk.
“We’re probably going to get a little way’s away. Not terribly far, but get off the beachside,” he said.
The county took all portable lifeguard stations off the beach and shut down the entrances.
Daytona Beach International Airport will continue to monitor the weather and update the public. Travelers are encouraged to contact their airlines directly for specific flight details.
Bethune-Cookman University issued a mandatory evacuation order and suspended classes at noon Wednesday. Everyone must be evacuated by 6 p.m. Wednesday. Officials expect residence halls to reopen Sunday.
Eyewitness News talked to a couple in Port Orange who left their home.
“We are in a manufactured home, so I’m a little apprehensive, and I'd rather be in a hotel that we know has some kind of hurricane protection,” Nancy Keogh said.
Visitors from Great Britain told Eyewitness News they hope they can enjoy their last few days in Florida before the weather changes.
"We've never seen this sort of weather that you have over here in the U.K.," said tourist Jackie Watkins.
oshua Justice and his neighbors are still cleaning up the mess left behind when a violent thunderstorm blew through his neighborhood last week.
“I had one of the big branches actually come down and I lost a big section of the fence,” Justice said.
The debris damaged several vehicles.
Justice is now boarding up his windows and preparing for the worst.
“I can just hope for the best and we get lucky,” Justice said.
VOLUSIA COUNTY SHELTERS OPEN THURSDAY:
Open 8 a.m. Thursday
Heritage Middle
DeLand High
Atlantic High
Creekside Middle
Sweetwater Elementary
New Smyrna Beach High
Open 9 a.m. Thursday
University High
Galaxy Middle
Pine Ridge High
River Springs Middle
Hinson Middle
Open 11 a.m. Thursday
Taylor Middle/High
Pathways
For a list of school addresses, click here.
SpNS Shelters (Special Needs Shelters)
For elderly, physically, mentally or sensory disabled, visually or hearing impaired residents or those who need supplemental oxygen. Evacuees should be accompanied by a caregiver if this type of assistance normally is needed.
SpNS are not for people who need 24-hour dedicated care, a hospital bed, ventilator or other complex care, or isolation patients. These individuals should discuss other shelter arrangements with their physician or home health service provider or caregiver.
PF Shelters – Pet Friendly
Small animals only, must be crated and cared for by owners (leash, food, water must be brought and will not be provided); will be housed in a separate location at shelter. Only the fairgrounds houses people and pets in the same location.
otran public transportation:
All Votran bus stops will become evacuation collection sites at 8 a.m. Thursday to take evacuees to a transfer point, where they will board school buses for transportation to a shelter. No fares are charged during an evacuation or return. Votran Gold passengers should be prepared to cancel any non-essential trips scheduled for Thursday and Friday. All Votran vehicles will be removed from roads when winds are sustained at 35 miles per hour. Service will resume as soon as possible once Hurricane Matthew clears the area.
© 2016 Cox Media Group.
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