*This story will be continuously updated for Hurricane Milton coverage
Update Thursday evening, Oct. 10, 2024
Two school shelters remained open Thursday evening for those displaced from their homes because of tornado damage, along with individuals with special needs dependent on electricity. The county closed three of the five shelters in the afternoon after Hurricane Milton, now a post-tropical cyclone, exited east into the Atlantic Ocean.
“Post-hurricane Milton activities are underway in full force,” county officials said in a statement. “Assessment teams are in the field identifying roads that need to close or remain closed. FPL has crews in the field and restoration of power is underway.”
The Freshman Learning Center at Vero Beach High School remained open as a general population shelter for people whose homes were deemed uninhabitable because of damage from tornadoes, county officials said. Treasure Coast Elementary School stayed open as a special needs shelter.
“Triage effort is underway to determine if those citizens displaced during last evening’s tornadoes have family or friends who can accommodate them, or if the daylight assessment has determined their home is habitable,” county officials said.
County officials closed the other shelters at Sebastian River Middle School, Oslo Middle School and Fellsmere Elementary School about 2 p.m. Thursday. There were about 648 people who checked in at School District campuses that operated as shelters ahead of the storm, said Sgt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
School District officials said Hurricane Milton left minor damage at the campuses with small fallen trees and standing water. The School District plans to reopen campuses on Monday.
“We are working through the weekend to prepare our campuses to reopen,” School District officials said. “We will provide an additional update tomorrow before 1 p.m.”
Update Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 9, 2024
School District campuses and buildings will remain closed through Friday to allow time for officials to clean, inspect and prepare facilities following the oncoming Hurricane Milton. The School District closed on Tuesday and was operating five campuses as shelters for those seeking refuge from the Category 4 hurricane.
Officials plan to reopen schools on Monday.
“Thank you for your patience and understanding as we prioritize the safety of our community,” School District officials said in a statement. “Please stay safe and continue to monitor our channel for updates.”
School officials said they will assess bus routes for safe travel.
Milton, packing 145-mph maximum sustained winds, was traveling northeast at 17 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The hurricane was expected to pour over Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday evening and continue moving eastbound, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Indian River County on Wednesday and Thursday.
Update Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 8, 2024
Ordained minister and Gospel artist Frederic Jackson believes every man is given a measure of faith to weather any storm.
Charleen Ausby, a food service cook with IRC Schools, helps prepare snacks and meals for residents staying at the Freshman Learning Center shelter Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, ahead of Hurricane Milton. PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL
The 57-year-old Vero Beach man is one of more than 50 people who flocked to the shelter at the Freshman Learning Center on Tuesday ahead of Hurricane Milton’s threatening approach to Florida. Jackson, beaming brightly with a smile, had a calm, relaxed demeanor as he spoke about utilizing faith.
“My faith is in God’s will. He will provide me strength,” said Jackson, born and raised in Fort Pierce. “I’m very grateful for a place to stay.”
The School District of Indian River County opened up four campuses as shelters Tuesday afternoon as Milton churned closer toward Florida’s Gulf Coast. A fifth campus will open on Wednesday.
Milton, which regained strength as a Category 5 hurricane, was expected to slam into the western part of the state Wednesday night and travel toward the east coast. Meteorologists called it one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in history.
But, there was no worry or panic at the shelters on Tuesday. The atmosphere at the Freshman Learning Center was tranquil as school personnel greeted residents coming to find shelter from Hurricane Milton.
School District employees stocked up food supplies and will provide cots to residents at the shelters. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided.
So far, up to 100 people have sought out shelters operated under the School District, said Superintendent Dr. David Moore. Moore spoke with the media at the Freshman Learning Center, where he talked about plans to manage the shelters.
“We have our staff, nurses, principals, administrators, cafeteria workers all here. We have firefighters, officers…we are completely staffed. We are safe. We are secure,” Moore said. “We’ve got everything we need…cots…extra food. We’re ready to greet our residents. We have everything you need to come in and be safe from the storm and be safe while you’re actually here.”
Video by Nick Samuel
At the Freshman Learning Center, a mix of residents are staying in three different wings – single man, single woman and families. Each campus operating as a shelter has a metal detector at the front entrance except for Treasure Coast Elementary.
“Shelters use discretion regarding when they allow people in when the storm hits,” said Cristen Maddux, a spokesperson for the School District of Indian River County. “As long as it doesn’t jeopardize the safety of others in the shelter.”
Those staying at the shelters will be served pancakes, small pizzas, cookies, bananas, grapes, fries, fish patties, milk and bottled water.
Residents will be served pancakes and small pizzas, along with bananas, grapes, water, milk, fries, fish patties and more food items during their stay at the Freshman Learning Center shelter for Hurricane Milton. PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL
As mandatory evacuations are underway on Florida’s west coast, Moore said the School District is preparing for a possible influx of people traveling to the east coast to seek shelter.
“We wanted to make sure we got open as early as possible. We don’t want to turn anybody away,” Moore said. “We anticipate being in service of our community and ultimately our state.”
Moore said the shelters are staffed for up to five days. Though it’s unclear when shelters will close, Moore said the School District hopes to reopen schools by Friday.
“We will assess the situation Thursday afternoon,” Moore said.
School District Food Service Workers Brittnia Bryant and Charleen Ausby prepared meals in the kitchen inside the cafeteria at the Freshman Learning Center. The mother and daughter said they love to feed the people.
“This isn’t our first rodeo,” Ausby said. “We do this all the time. We’ve worked in hurricane shelters before.”
Kimberly Starnes, Jason Eli and their three children, ages 18, 16, and 12, are homeless and sought refuge at the Freshman Learning Center. The family said they are appreciative of the employees working at the shelter.
Eli, a lifelong Vero Beach resident, said people should not panic, but work together.
“We have to make other people feel safe,” Eli said.
Information on shelters
The following shelters opened on Tuesday:
- Freshman Learning Center (Also a Pet-Friendly shelter) – 1507 19th St. Vero Beach
-What to bring: Current shot records, collar, leash, crate/carrier, litter box, food and water, medications, and bedding for you and your pet.
- Sebastian River Middle School – 9400 County Rd. 512, Sebastian
- Oslo Middle School – 480 20th Ave. S.W., Vero Beach
- Fellsmere Elementary School – 50 N. Cypress St., Fellsmere
The following shelter will open at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday:
- Treasure Coast Elementary (Special Needs Shelter – must be registered) – 8955 85th St., Sebastian. For questions call 772-226-3900.
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- The Freshman Learning Center opened its doors Tuesday afternoon for people seeking shelter from Hurricane Milton. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS
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- People take shelter from Hurricane Milton Tuesday afternoon at the Freshman Learning Center. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS
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- A family prepares for Hurricane Milton to hit while taking shelter at the Freshman Learning Center Tuesday afternoon. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS
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- PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL
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- PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL
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- PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL
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- PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL
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- PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL
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- PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL
Update Tuesday morning, Oct. 8, 2024
School District officials will open four shelters on Tuesday, and a fifth on Wednesday, before Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Meteorologists said Milton, a Category 4 hurricane, will hit the western coast as a Category 3 storm on Wednesday evening and push eastbound.
The following shelters will open at 2 p.m. Tuesday:
- Freshman Learning Center (Also a Pet-Friendly shelter) – 1507 19th St. Vero Beach
-What to bring: Current shot records, collar, leash, crate/carrier, litter box, food and water, medications, and bedding for you and your pet.
- Sebastian River Middle School – 9400 County Rd. 512, Sebastian
- Oslo Middle School – 480 20th Ave. S.W., Vero Beach
- Fellsmere Elementary School – 50 N. Cypress St., Fellsmere
The following shelter will open at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday:
- Treasure Coast Elementary (Special Needs Shelter – must be registered) – 8955 85th St., Sebastian. For questions call 772-226-3900.
Earlier story:
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Classes at public schools, along with School District buildings, will close Tuesday as residents brace for impact from Hurricane Milton, which rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane Monday.
All afterschool and extended day activities scheduled for Monday will continue, School District of Indian River County officials said. School District officials said they plan to reopen campuses on Friday.
Milton, with 160-mph maximum sustained winds, was traveling east southeast at 9 mph, according to a Monday update from the National Hurricane Center. The Treasure Coast area was located in the cone of uncertainty forecast map.
Meteorologists said Milton was expected to weaken before making landfall as a Category 3 hurricane Wednesday night on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The storm will bring widespread showers, rainfall amounts up to 8 inches – and in some areas possibly up to 12 inches – and winds up to 73 mph, said Kole Fehling, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
“There’s a potential for a few tornadoes,” Fehling said.
