Emergency management officials in Volusia County expect Tropical Storm Arthur to kick up waves and become a wind and rain event as it nears the coast.
The Emergency Operations Center is in constant communication with the National Weather Service in case Tropical Storm Arthur does the unpredictable and slams into the coast.
The forecast is for the storm to come within about 70 miles of Volusia's coast Wednesday morning.
Emergency management was activated at Level 3 and is keeping two public shelters and a pet-friendly shelter on standby.
James Judge, emergency management director for Volusia County, said wind will be the main event. Officials are calling on homeowners to bring any outdoor items that could be swept away with winds reaching 40 mph to 60 mph.
"It's hurricane season, (and) you never know what's going to happen," Judge said. "Who would've predicted this a couple of weeks ago? And here it is right off the coast."
Hardware stores are not reporting large numbers of people preparing for Tropical Storm Arthur, but customers are talking about the first named storm of the season.
"People are definitely watching it because the direction can change as we've learned in the past," said Rob Gross, a manager at Lowe's Home Improvement. "They're kind keeping an eye on it."
Judge said water spouts could form along the coast while Arthur brushes through.
While beaches were busy Tuesday, many said they will get out of the storm's path.
"I'm going to be hanging out on the beach for a couple of hours today, and then I'm headed back to Orlando," said Michelle Coleman, who is visiting Central Florida from Detroit.