WILBUR-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. — With the increased threat of local impacts for Hurricane Milton, counties across the state are taking the necessary measures to keep residents safe. 

What You Need To Know

  • On Tuesday, Volusia County expanded its evacuation order to include all of Evacuation Zone A

  • The evacuation order also applies countywide to all manufactured and mobile homes, all low-lying areas and other areas prone to flooding, and all campsites and RV recreational parks

  • In Wilbur-By-The-Sea, resident Kelly Walker is getting ready to pack up and evacuate her oceanfront home

  • Hurricane Milton poses a significant threat of heavy rainfall, flooding, and damaging winds

On Tuesday, Volusia County expanded its evacuation order to include all of Evacuation Zone A (click here to find your evacuation zone).

In Wilbur-By-The-Sea, resident Kelly Walker is not taking any chances. She has lived there since 2016 and has seen her share of storms. 

Walker has an oceanfront home, which, like many others in the area, were hit hard by hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022.

It took her almost two years to rebuild, and now as she prepares for Hurricane Milton, she hopes the repairs can withstand the impacts. 

“Hopefully it’s safe from erosion. Hopefully, we have enough reinforcement here in order to protect us from a significant storm surge. But this storm will be the test,” Walker said.

Hurricane Milton poses a significant threat of heavy rainfall, flooding, and damaging winds. 

“Our house is older (…) It was built before 1980. So, we’re really concerned. That’s why we’re leaving,” Walker said. “We’re just really nervous about this and we’re really apprehensive. So, I believe there’s a mandatory evacuation. So, we heed those from the community and from the government to make sure that we’re all safe.”

She said her plan is to spend the rest of the day packing up and getting ready to go.

“We will be evacuating early in the morning. We’re going to go to northern Georgia. So, we’re packing up now and we’re going to spend two nights there and kind of see how the storm goes. And then we’ll try to get back, depending on what happens,” Walker said.

The county has sand-filled “trapbags” placed along the beach as a temporary fix for the worst of the erosion caused by hurricanes Ian and Nicole. 

“It’s very stressful. And the storms are getting worse,” Walker said.

She is trying to secure most of her belongings in case they get water in their house. 

“We’re just moving everything away from the windows, obviously, and covering just in case we do lose parts of our roofs so that if we do have moisture come in and water come in, we’ll be able to maybe salvage some things. And of course, our valuables we’re taking with us,” Walker said.

Ahead of the storm, Walker has a message to share with other residents who live in Wilbur-By-The-Sea.

“Considering what happened with Ian and Nicole, you know, two years ago, we took a big hit with the flooding and the wind damage, especially the beach erosion. And I would say it’s just not worth your life to stay,” Walker said.

Residents and visitors can verify their specific evacuation zone by clicking here to enter their address. Residents needing to travel long distances are urged to depart sooner to avoid potential delays. Areas and homes that flooded during Hurricane Ian may experience flooding during Hurricane Milton.

It is recommended that all evacuations be completed by 8 p.m. Wednesday evening when the Volusia Sheriff’s Office curfew goes into effect.