There were more beachgoers in New Smyrna as shown above from a screeenshot from the Volusia County Beach cam just before 4 p.m. Saturday off the Flagler Avenue beach ramp. Below, the Dunlawton Avenuer beach ramp at Dunlawton in Daytona Beach Shores saw fewer beachgoers.By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Things could get rough at the World's Most Famous Beach on Sunday and Monday, as well as beachs north and south, along the county's nearly 50-mile coastline as Tropical Cyclone Eta tracks northward toward South Florida.
Volusia County Emergency Management officials are monitoring Eta, county officials said.
In preparation for rain and strong winds Sunday into mid-day Monday, Volusia County Beach Safety and Coastal divisions were pulling trash cans and port-o-lets from the beach this afternoon.
Eta is the 28th named storm of the 2020 season. Emergency Management officials are communicating closely with the Florida Division of Emergency Management and National Weather Service Office in Melbourne with Eta’s northward movement and the effects of the low pressure system to its north.
Due to the expected high and rough surf, toll booths will also be pulled higher on ramps and toll attendants will likely be sent home in advance of the 1:49 p.m. high tide," Volusia County said earlier this afternoon.
"Beach driving may be permitted in the early morning Sunday but is likely to close by 10 a.m. through Monday morning based on conditions," Kevin Capatain, director of community Information for Volusia County government, told Headline Surfer.
At this time, the biggest impacts are expected along the coast, with current projections of 2 to 4 inches of rain and winds of 35-45 mph with gusts 40-50 mph on Sunday night into mid-day Monday."
"Beach driving may be permitted in the early morning Sunday but is likely to close by 10 a.m. through Monday morning based on conditions," Kevin Capatain, director of community Information for Volusia County government, told Headline Surfer. "At this time, the biggest impacts are expected along the coast, with current projections of 2 to 4 inches of rain and winds of 35-45 mph with gusts 40-50 mph on Sunday night into mid-day Monday."
Jim Judge, Volusia County’s emergency management director, added, “Right now, in an effort to prepare for windy conditions, residents should take a walk around their homes and take down wind chimes, flags and hanging plants, and move trash cans and lawn furniture indoors. Even small changes in Eta’s track could make a difference with how the storm affects Volusia County, so it’s always good to remain prepared.”
Volusia County Emergency Management App
Residents can prepare and stay informed by downloading the Volusia County EM app, available 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.
Henry Frederick is publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet launched 12 years ago that serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando, Florida via HeadlineSurfer.com. Frederick has amassed more than a hundred journalism industry awards in print & online -- more than all other members of the working press combined in Central Florida since the mid-1990s. He earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism with academic honors from Full Sail University in 2019. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and other high profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary programs on Discovery ID and Reelz for his investigative reporting and cops & courts breaking news stories.