Volusia County Emergency Management officials are monitoring Tropical Storm Isaias as it tracks northwest in the Atlantic Ocean. The system is the ninth named storm of the 2020 season.
Volusia County is participating in daily conference calls with the Florida Division of Emergency Management and National Weather Service Office in Melbourne. Additionally, a countywide call took place yesterday with city managers to discuss the status of the storm and a coordinated approach should the threat increase.
In preparation for the inclement weekend weather, Volusia County’s beach safety and coastal divisions are securing all assets on the beach. All portalets will be removed from the beach by end of day today, and the majority of waste receptacles will be removed by end of day Friday. Rough surf and higher than normal tides are expected, which may force the closure of beach driving. As more information becomes available, additional closures and measures may be taken.
Jim Judge, Volusia County’s emergency management director, said Thursday that while there is still much uncertainly in the future track and intensity of the system, Volusia County can expect squally conditions this weekend. Residents are reminded to monitor this system and the tropics as the peak of the hurricane season approaches.
“Right now, residents and visitors should pay close attention to the local weather reports and use caution and common sense,” said Judge. “We’ve seen a very busy 2020 hurricane season thus far, and we’re not even at the halfway point. September 10 is the peak of the season, so there is a lot of time left for a hurricane or another tropical storm to come our way. It only takes one storm to cause a disaster. Don’t be caught without a disaster plan and a complete disaster supply kit.”
Residents can prepare and stay informed by downloading the Volusia County EM app, available for free on the Google Play or App Store. The app features weather alerts and current conditions, preparedness checklists, links to county sites, locations of the nearest open shelter and sandbags locations, evacuation information, push notifications and more. Residents can also follow Volusia County Emergency Management on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates related to Volusia County.
Volusia County Beaches:
In preparation for possible impacts from Tropical Storm Isaias, Volusia County’s beach safety and coastal divisions are securing all assets on the beach. All portalets will be removed from the beach by end of day today, and the majority of waste receptacles will be removed by end of day Friday. Rough surf and higher than normal tides are expected, which may force the closure of beach driving. As more information becomes available, additional closures and measures may be taken. For updated information on the tropical storm, visit Volusia.org/isaias.
Where to get Sandbags in Volusia County:
*This information is what is currently available and will be updated as more cities announce their plans for distribution
Volusia County
Volusia County will be distributing ready-made sandbags from the Volusia County Correctional Facility from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday or while supplies last. The distribution site will be on the east side of the facility and can be accessed from Indian Lake Road. Vehicles may receive up to 10 bags.
Daytona Beach
Although the track of Tropical Storm Isaias is uncertain, residents are urged to begin making preparations to safeguard their homes and businesses. Beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, July 31, sandbag supplies will be available in the parking lot off of Jean Street, east of the police department’s Midtown Precinct at 995 Orange Ave. Residents are asked to bring their own shovels to fill bags and there is a limit of 10 bags per person. The sandbag supplies will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2DfeTMd.
Daytona Beach Shores
In advance of the upcoming storm, the City will have sandbags and sand available beginning Noon, Thursday, July 30. With proper identification, residents and business owners may pick up the bags at City Hall, Community Center or the Public Safety Department. The sand will be in the Community Center parking lot (3000 Bellemead Drive). Shovels will be available, but it is self-serve.
DeBary
The City of DeBary has sandbags available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today July 30, and Friday, July 31, at DeBary City Hall Parking Lot, 16 Colomba Road.
Sand and bags will be provided. Residents will need to bring a shovel and fill their own bags. There is a limit of 10 sandbags per household. Photo ID and proof of DeBary residency is required. For more information regarding sandbags, call the City of DeBary at 386-668-2040.
DeLand
The City of DeLand will make sand and bags available to residents in preparation for Tropical Storm Isaias. The sand and bag station will be open from 3 to 6 p.m. today, July 30, in the parking lot south of Melching Field and along Hubbard Avenue. The station will be open again from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, residents are asked to wear a face covering, stay physically distanced from others when possible and bring their own shovel. Residents will be limited to 10 bags per household. City workers will be on site during business hours to assist residents if necessary.
Deltona
The City of Deltona is providing empty sand bags and sand for Deltona residents at three locations between noon and 5 p.m. today, July 30 through Saturday, Aug. 1. Distribution will take place at the following locations:
- Dewey O. Boster Park, 1200 Saxon Blvd.
- Festival Park, 191 Howland Blvd.
- Lake Butler Recreation Complex, 301 Courtland Blvd.
Residents must provide identification to verify residency and are encouraged to bring shovels so they can fill up to 10 bags with sand.
Edgewater
Sand piles have been placed at:
• Fire Station 57 2628 Hibiscus Drive
• Mango Tree Lake 901 Mango Tree Drive
• Airpark staging area 1898 Airpark Road
These locations are accessible 24 hours a day. Residents should bring their own shovels. Sand bags may be purchased at local home supply centers or double bagged, heavy duty garbage bags may be used.
Holly Hill
The City of Holly Hill will have sand and bags available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Holly Hill Public Works facility gate on 10th Street adjacent to Magnolia Avenue. Residents must bring a shovel and fill their own bags. Residents may receive up to 10 bags; proof of residency is required.
New Smyrna Beach
The City of New Smyrna Beach will distribute sandbags at two sites.
In the Sports Complex off Sunset Drive, city staff will be onsite from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 31, to provide either 10 pre-filled sandbags at the football stadium or 15 fillable bags in the field next to the entrance to individuals with proof of residency (such as a driver license with New Smyrna Beach address). Residents must bring their own shovel if they choose the latter option.
A barricade will be in place on Sunset Drive at its intersection with Turnbull Bay Road to ease arriving and departing traffic; an electronic message board at U.S. 1 and South Street will guide traffic.
In the open field next to Maintenance Operations Headquarters at 124 Industrial Park Ave., sand only will be available 24 hours a day. Residents must bring their own supplies, including shovels and bags. Pillowcases and doubled-up trash bags may be used in a pinch as sandbag alternatives. For more information, contact Maintenance Operations at 386-424-2205.
Oak Hill
The City of Oak Hill will have sand and bags available for residents from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 31. Residents must bring a shovel and fill their own bags. Residents may receive up to five bags; proof of address is required.
Orange City
Orange City residents may pick up sandbags at the Waggin’ Trail Dog Park, 1201 S. Leavitt Ave., at these dates and times:
- 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 30
- 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, July 31
- 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, August 1
Sand and bags will be provided. Residents must bring a shovel and fill their own bags. There is a limit of 10 sandbags per household. Identification is required. For those who require assistance, the Orange City Fire Cadets will be onsite from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, July 31, to assist with filling and loading sandbags.
Ormond Beach
The City of Ormond Beach will have a self-serve sand pile and fillable sandbags beginning Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Nova Community Center, 440 N Nova Road. Sand and bags will be available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Sundays until Aug. 31.
Ormond Beach residents can receive up to 10 free fillable bags from the Nova Recreation Center office during the hours listed above. Identification is required. Residents will need to bring a shovel to fill bags and must load the bags into their vehicle.
Ormond Beach residents who would like assistance filling and loading sandbags into their vehicles can visit Nova Recreation Center from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. One staff person will be on site to provide assistance; additional staff will be scheduled based on need.
Residents with special needs can request delivery of sandbags to their residence if they are unable to fill sandbags or unload sandbags from their vehicle. Residents may request this service through an online form on the city’s website at http://www.ormondbeach.org/sandbags or by contacting the Public Works Department directly. Forms can also be downloaded, printed and turned in to the Public Works Department.
Additional hours, locations and staff will be scheduled if a hurricane or severe storm is expected to impact the Ormond Beach area. The Casements and Ormond Beach Sports Complex will be used; hours of operation and the number of staff members will be increased.
Information on the city’s sandbag distribution program will be posted on the city’s website at http://www.ormondbeach.org/sandbaginfo and distributed via press release and social media postings.
Ponce Inlet
The Town of Ponce Inlet is providing sand and sandbags today and tomorrow, July 30 and 31, at the Ponce Inlet Community Center, 4670 S. Peninsula Drive. Sandbags are also available next door at the Ponce Inlet Fire Department, 4680 S. Peninsula Drive. Residents should bring a shovel and be prepared to fill their own bags. There is a limit of 10 bags per resident, and identification is required. For questions, contact Ponce Inlet Public Works at 386-322-6729 or Ponce Inlet Town Hall at 386-236-2150.
Port Orange
The City of Port Orange will have sandbags available for residents at the Adult Center, 4790 S Ridgewood Ave., and Coraci Sports Complex, 5200 Coraci Blvd. Sandbags are available between 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. (or until supplies run out) today, July 30; and from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (or until supplies run out) Friday, July 31.
Bags are provided by the city, and residents are responsible for filling the bags. Residents should bring their own shovels. If residents bring their own bags, they should be small, double-bagged trash bags. The limit is 12 per household. Residents must show proof of Port Orange residency to receive sandbags. Additionally, residents are strongly encouraged to retain the bags throughout the 2020 hurricane season.
Residents can follow the social media page, “Port Orange City Hall,” and the city’s website, http://www.port-orange.org for continued updates.
For more information on disaster preparedness or to receive emergency telephone or email notifications from Volusia County Emergency Management, visit www.volusia.org/emergency.
South Daytona
The City of South Daytona will begin sandbag distribution from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, July 31, and from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Piggotte Center, 504 Big Tree Rd. Bags are provided by the City and residents are responsible to fill the bags. Shovels will be provided for use. Limit is 25 per household. Residents must show proof of South Daytona residency in order to get sandbags. Additionally, residents are strongly encouraged to retain the bags for the duration of the 2020 hurricane season.
Citizens Information Center:
Looking for info on how to prepare or have questions about Hurricane Isaias? The Citizens Information Center is answering calls FRIDAY, July 31 until 6 PM at (866) 345-0345
