INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Local heads of county departments and Sen. Bill Nelson warned residents Wednesday night to be prepared and evacuate.
Director of Emergency Services John King, Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar, Emergency Management Coordinator Etta LoPresti, County Administrator Jason Brown and Sen. Nelson all spoke to important parts of preparing for Hurricane Matthew.
“(Wednesday) is your day to have all your preparations done,” said King.
People are urged not to go to the beach.
Sheriff’s deputies will be working around the clock until the storm passes, said Sheriff Loar. This starts Wednesday at 6 p.m. There is no curfew yet. Authorities will not be going door to door to make sure people have evacuated.
“Law enforcement and EMS can not respond in certain conditions,” said Sheriff Loar.
Winds are expected to pick up around 2 p.m. Thursday, according to King. The coast is expected to have 3-6 foot storm surges.
Sen. Nelson said that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is ready with supplies around the state. The White House is also being briefed. President Barack Obama cancelled a trip to Miami, according to Nelson.
“If you get a mandatory evacuation order, you better heed it!” he said.
