Anyone living in mobile homes, manufactured homes or RVs in Flagler County will be under an evacuation order.
Flagler County’s emergency management director Jonathan Lord said even though the current forecast shows this area only being impacted by tropical storm conditions, people should still be prepared for possible power outages, flooding and sustained winds of more than 50 miles per hour.
Schools are closed and many businesses have already followed suit.
A public shelter is opening in Palm Coast tonight at Rymfire Elementary School.
Lord said he isn’t as concerned with coastal erosion or A1A crumbling as it was during Hurricanes Ian and Nicole.
“Those were also tropical storm-type impacts in Flagler County,” he said. “The difference here is we are not expecting the storm surge to be as strong as it was during those two storms.”
Lord said the county has put millions of dollars into repairing the dunes, but they are not complete, and hopes they will hold.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said he will have extra deputies on patrol and is asking people who are riding out the storm at home to stay at home until the storm passes.
County officials said the greatest impacts are likely to start around 5 a.m. Wednesday with the heaviest around 8 a.m.
That could change as the storm gets closer to making landfall.
— Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (@FlaglerSheriff) August 30, 2023
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Idalia impact: A resident posted a sign at a home in Cedar Key, Florida, as Hurricane Idalia threatened the area. (Christian Monterrosa/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Idalia impact: American flags are placed on boarded windows ahead of Hurricane Idalia in Cedar Key. (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Idalia impact: The U.S. Post Office in Cedar Key, Florida, is boarded up in anticipation of Hurricane Idalia. (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Idalia impact: The beach is deserted at Cedar Key as Hurricane Idalia moved up Florida's west coast on Tuesday. (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Idalia impact: Strong winds hit the Gulfport area in Pinellas County on Tuesday. (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Idalia impact: Debris flies off a roof ahead of Hurricane Idalia in Fort Myers on Tuesday. (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Idalia impact: High tide hits Fort Myers Beach ahead of Hurricane Idalia on Tuesday. (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Idalia impact: Water rises above the docks at Fort Myers Beach as Hurricane Idalia approaches on Tuesday. (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Idalia impact: High tide roars in at Fort Myers Beach ahead of Hurricane Idalia on Tuesday. (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Idalia impact: Palm trees sway in the wind at Fort Myers Beach ahead of Hurricane Idalia on Tuesday. (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Idalia impact: Waves crash on Fort Myers Beach during high tide on Tuesday. (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Idalia impact: People enjoy the beach in the Tampa Bay area on Tuesday as dark clouds gather. (MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP)
Hurricane Idalia Barrels North as Florida Girds for Disaster Residents on Clearwater Beach walk along the shore as Hurricane Idalia moved up the west coast of Florida on Tuesday. (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Idalia impact: A sign informs travelers that Tampa International Airport is closed on Tuesday as Hurricane Idalia approached the area. (MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP)
Idalia impact: A surfer navigates the waves at St. Petersburg Beach as Hurricane Idalia moved up Florida's west coast on Tuesday. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Idalia impact: Residents brace for strong winds in St Petersburg as Hurricane Idalia churns in the Gulf of Mexico. (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Idalia impact: Sandbags guard a colorful building in St. Petersburg as Hurricane Idalia approaches the area. (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Idalia impact: A news reporter walks onto a dock ahead of Hurricane Idalia in Cedar Key. (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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