Flagler County & Palm Coast Officials Urge Residents to Prepare for Subtropical Storm Nicole

November 7, 2022 – Flagler County officials urge all residents and businesses in Flagler County to make preparations for Tropical Storm like impacts from Subtropical Storm Nicole, including topping off emergency kits and having a destination in mind to go if evacuations are called for.

Residents and businesses on the barrier island – from the Volusia County line to the St. John’s County line – should be prepared to evacuate as early as Wednesday morning.

“At this time, it is expected that Flagler County will see conditions similar to what we saw with Hurricane Ian, to include coastal flooding and power outages but with less rainfall and therefore less inland flooding,” said Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord. “If we call for evacuations, we will open a shelter.”

Recommendations for preparation include:

• Make a Plan – Talk to friends and family about how communicating before, during, and after a potential storm will work. Have a primary, secondary, and possibly even a tertiary plan for where to go in the event of an evacuation. Consider staying with family or friends outside of the evacuation area in addition to hotels or motels.

• Build a Kit – Gather supplies necessary to be “Off-the-Grid” for a week after a disaster for everyone in the home. Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have. The kit should include food, water, medications, clothing, cash (as credit card/ATM machines may not work), radios, batteries, generators/fuel. Portability is key should evacuation be required.

• Protect Property – Secure outdoor items that could take flight in a strong wind, including loose tree limbs. Prepare window and door protection, such as shutters, should they need to be installed.

• Sign up for Alert Flagler at www.flaglercounty.gov/alertflagler, to receive timely emergency notifications.

“At this point, the National Weather Service isn’t predicting hurricane-force winds for our area, but we don’t know what later forecasts will bring,” Lord said. “The outlook for our area has not improved. I do recommend that all residents do the basics, like fuel up your vehicles and make sure you have a week’s worth of basic emergency provisions.”

As a side note, FEMA is closing the temporary Disaster Recovery Center at the Flagler County Fairgrounds Wednesday, November 9, through Friday, November 11, in preparation of Subtropical Storm Nicole.

For more information go to www.flaglercounty.gov/emergency and follow Emergency Management on social media at:

• www.Facebook.com/FlaglerEOC

• www.Twitter.com/FlaglerEOC

• www.Instagram.com/FlaglerEOC

Palm Coast Monitors Tropics, Encourages Residents to Stay Alert

Palm Coast – The City of Palm Coast is working closely with Emergency Management partners to monitor Subtropical Storm Nicole. Current models, which can change at any time, indicate that the storm’s path will affect a large portion of the state of Florida.

City of Palm Coast Officials continue to monitor the National Weather Service while the system is developing. There is a high risk of strong winds and coastal impacts beginning Wednesday, November 9, with rainfall on Wednesday through Friday. Currently, Flagler County is estimated to receive 4 inches of rain.

In preparation for the storm, the Stormwater Department can lower the canal levels for more efficient stormwater drainage. All of the City’s canals, swales, pipes, ditches, water control structures, and stormwater storage areas are designed to work together to handle any rainfall we receive in this area.

City Officials will continue to monitor the storm and wind speeds to determine if a modification to garbage collection or recycling needs to be made. No changes have been announced at this time.

Residents are encouraged to restock emergency supplies for everyone in the home, including pets. This should include food, water, medications, clothing, cash (as credit card/ATM machines may not work), radios, batteries, generators/fuel.

Any outdoor items that could take flight in a strong wind should be secured, including loose tree limbs. Prepare window and door protection, such as shutters, should they need to be installed. Those who live in flood-prone areas should purchase sandbags – available at local hardware stores and through Amazon.

Sign up for Alert Flagler at www.flaglercounty.gov/alertflagler, to receive timely emergency notifications.

For more information go to PalmCoast.gov/emergency/hurricane-preparation and follow the official City of Palm Coast social media sites at: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Residents can submit questions to our customer service portal at PalmCoast.gov/Connect or by calling Customer Service at 386-986-2360.

Stay informed with the latest news and information from the City of Palm Coast by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. You can sign up for weekly updates by visiting www.palmcoastgov.com/government/city-manager/week-in-review.