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Beaches, parks to close Tuesday ahead of Hurricane Milton

Written by: October 07 2024
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Indian River County Administrator John Titkanich talks with the media about the county's preparations for Hurricane Milton. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — County beaches and parks will close Tuesday evening as officials anticipate heavy winds and possible erosion from Hurricane Milton, which was upgraded Monday to a powerful Category 5 hurricane. County officials said South County Park, or Dick Bird Park, will close immediately on Monday because of flooding caused by heavy rainfall over the past few days.

“Programs for Dick Bird Park today going all the way through Thursday are closed,” Titkanich said.

Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers, County Administrator John Titkanich and Department of Emergency Services Deputy Director Ryan Lloyd gave an update Monday on the county’s response to the oncoming hurricane. Meteorologists said Milton was expected to weaken to a Category 3 before making landfall Wednesday evening on Florida’s Gulf Coast somewhere near Tampa.

The Emergency Operations Center operated under a level two – partial activation status – as of Monday for Hurricane Milton.

Titkanich said the parks will close starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday and will remain closed until Friday once they are assessed. The county beaches will close beginning about 7 p.m.

“They will remain closed until we have an opportunity to go out and address and evaluate what erosion or other issues may be happening to make sure they’re safe for people,” Titkanich said. “The Round Island, Riverside and Wabasso Causeway boat ramps will remain open for now until boats can be removed.”

Milton was carrying 175-mph maximum sustained winds and traveling east at 9 mph, according to an afternoon update from the National Hurricane Center. Titkanich said county’s natural resources division was expecting to see sea coastal erosion from Hurricane Milton.

“They’ve been documenting the existing conditions already,” Titkanich said. “They will get out there Friday to assess and determine what the conditions are to make sure residents are safe.”

School campuses and School District buildings will close on Tuesday and were expected to reopen Friday. Indian River State College campuses will close at 5 p.m. Monday and will also reopen Friday.

The Sebastian Veteran’s Services Office will close at noon Tuesday through Friday. The Brackett Library will close Tuesday through Thursday.

A decision has not yet been made on if government offices or bridges will also be shut down. Todd Scher, director for the Vero Beach Regional Airport, said the airport does not have a closure planned.

“Our standard procedure is to close if the sustained winds exceed 50 mph, which is currently not expected,” Scher said.

Indian River County will not be giving out sandbags, sheriff’s officials said.

Residents who want updated information about Hurricane Milton and its impact on Indian River County should call the county hotline at 772-226-4000. More information on the county’s response to the hurricane can be found on its website.

Photos by Joshua Kodis

This story will be updated. 

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