VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County officials are keeping a close eye on Isaias. 

In a press conference, Emergency Management Services Director Jim Judge announced a voluntary evacuation order for some residents and opened up several shelters, both beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday morning.  

What You Need To Know

  • Volusia County opening some shelters

  • Beach safety officials closed beach ramp accessed and said rip tides are strong

  • 51 water rescues were performed Saturday

  • Some residents do not plan to evacuate

Early effects of the storm could be felt in Daytona Beach as early as Saturday morning. In preparation, Volusia County Beach Safety shut down access to the beach ramps and started pulling lifeguard towers off the beach, while still keeping their eyes locked on the waters. Shifting sands and rip currents led to 51 water rescues on Saturday. 

“We’ve got a couple rips pulling right off that shoreline so they are getting pulled out before they even realize that can’t touch any more,” Captain Alexander Miller of Volusia County Beach Safety said.

Some beach resident indicated that they will not evacuate, despite the voluntary order issued by the county for those living on the barrier islands or mobile homes. 

Don Hipsky said his home has weathered many storms. “I make sure we have water supply, bottles of water, toilet paper, foods that are canned, medical. supplies, gasoline cans for the generator,” he added.

For those not as confident in their homes, the county is opening several socially distanced shelters stocked with personal protection equipment from the state. 

“We have the masks, we have the hand sanitizer, we have the cleaning stations and all the disinfectants necessary to be able to keep these shelters clean and disinfected,” Judge said

According to a county spokesperson, face coverings are mandatory at all shelters and a wellness assessment will be performed on individuals prior to admittance. Those with COVID-19 should not go to a shelter. The shelters are:

  • DeLand High, 800 N. Hill Ave. is available as a general population shelter. 
  • The Volusia County Fairgrounds, 3150 W. State Road 44 in DeLand is also available as a general population shelter and is pet friendly. This shelter houses people and pets in the same location.
    • All companion animals must have a current license, vaccinations, identification and rabies tags. They must be confined in pet carriers or crates and must be under control at the facility at all times.
  • Galaxy Middle, 2400 Eustace Ave. in Deltona
  • Freedom Elementary, 1395 S. Blue Lake Ave., in DeLand.
    • Both Galaxy and Freedom will serve as special-needs shelters for evacuees with disabilities or functional medical needs.
    • They are pet friendly. Evacuees and their service animals will remain in the same location.
    • It is too late to pre-register for a special needs shelter. Residents who are not registered will be assessed upon arrival at the shelters. People with special needs must be accompanied by a caregiver if this type of assistance is normally needed; note that only one caregiver will be permitted.

Shelters are an option Hipsky is happy to have, especially living so close to the ocean. 

 “For this area, it is very important that the shelters remain open and for them to welcome people still through this pandemic,” he said. “It is very awesome.” 

Because of the pandemic, the county says sheltering in place at home or with family is the best option, if it is safe.