Tropical Storm Isaias to reach Florida tonight: Volusia County calls for 'voluntary evacuation' of beachside & mobile home areas 8 a.m. Sunday

In addition to running regular Sunday service, all fixed route buses will serve as a pick up point for shelters. Evacuees will be taken to a transfer point, where they will be brought to a shelter. Bus service will operate from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Service will resume as soon as possible once Hurricane Isaias clears the area. 

Passengers who live on the west side of the county and require Votran transportation to a shelter should call 386-761-7700 and select option 2. 

Volusia County officials will open a limited number of shelters at 8 a.m. Sunday. Shelters are for individuals with special needs or those who cannot remain in their current residence and have no other place to go. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, individuals are encouraged to shelter in place or with friends or family if at all possible. Shelters will be open for those who have no other options.

Face coverings are mandatory at all shelters and a wellness assessment will be performed on individuals prior to admittance. If individuals do not feel well, are self-isolating because of exposure to COVID-19 or have been diagnosed with COVID-19, they should not go to a shelter. Families will be provided additional space to ensure physical distancing is maintained at all shelters.

General population shelters:

• DeLand High, 800 N. Hill Ave.

• Volusia County Fairgrounds, 3150 W. State Road 44, DeLand (pet friendly) 

• Galaxy Middle, 2400 Eustace Ave., Deltona 

• Freedom Elementary, 1395 S. Blue Lake Ave., DeLand 

As TS Isaias approaches the eastern coast of Florida, Central Floridians are urged to make final preparations in advance of the storm. Both a hurricane warning and storm surge watch are in effect for eastern Volusia County, and a tropical storm watch is in effect for inland Volusia County. Residents can expect sustained tropical storm force winds by Sunday evening, with strong gusts well before that.

Residents are encouraged to be in place where they're going to ride out the storm by noon Sunday.

DeLand High, 800 N. Hill Ave. is available as a general population shelter. The Volusia County Fairgrounds, 3150 W. State Road 44, 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., Deltona and Freedom Elementary, 1395 S. Blue Lake Ave., DeLand will serve as special needs shelters. Special needs shelters assist 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. 

The Daytona Beach International Airport is not a shelter.

If you plan to stay at a public shelter, make your final preparations today so you can get to a shelter Sunday morning. Make sure you have supplies for yourself, your family and pets. If you decide to stay at a shelter, keep in mind that you will not be staying in a hotel. You will not have a private room or bedding.

WHAT TO BRING TO A SHELTER

Adults 18 years and older must present a government issued ID, such as a driver�s license. Evacuees may need to stay at the shelter for 24 to 36 hours. Since space is limited, bring essential items only. Avoid bringing valuables; shelters are not responsible for lost or stolen items. 

Items you should bring to a shelter include: 

• Government issued ID

• Snacks, comfort food and special dietary food

• Bottled water

• Foldable beach chair, bedding, pillow and blanket

• Extra clothing

• Medications and medical supplies, including prescription medications, eyeglasses and dentures

• Charged cellphone

• Ear plugs

• Oxygen supplies (if going to a special needs shelter, bring your oxygen concentrator) 

• Toiletry items 

• Flashlight and batteries

• Diapers and other necessities for infants and the elderly

• Time occupiers such as books, magazines, board games and cards

BRIDGES

 When the sustained wind speed reaches 39 mph, all bridges crossing the Halifax River will be closed. They will reopen after the Florida Department of Transportation inspects them and determines they are structurally safe.  

Municipalities are responsible for managing re-entry to the beachside. Residents should reach out to their city with questions regarding identification needed for re-entry.

 CITIZENS INFORMATION CENTER

 The Volusia County Citizens Information Center has been activated to provide information about the storm. It will be open to field citizen calls until 6 p.m. today, and will reopen at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning and remain open throughout the duration of the storm. The phone number is 866-345-0345. Additional storm information is available at www.volusia.org/Isaias.