This story will be continuously updated for Hurricane Milton coverage
Update Wednesday Oct. 9, 2024
The county’s top officials were working with state and national authorities to coordinate efforts to keep residents informed as Hurricane Milton approached Florida’s west coast. Indian River County Emergency Services fully activated the Emergency Operations Center to brace for damaging winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge from Hurricane Milton.
Video by Nick Samuel
Strong winds started to pass through Indian River County Wednesday afternoon. Most beachside businesses and restaurants along Ocean Drive put up hurricane shutters and boarded up doors and windows.
“We do not wish this storm on anybody. Please be prepared,” Emergency Services Deputy Director Ryan Lloyd said. “Later on this evening, we’ll have a potential for Category 1 hurricane storm winds. We are guaranteed to receive 45-to-55 mph sustained winds and gusts of 70-to-80 mph.”
Sheriff’s officials said Vero Beach received more than 6 inches of rainfall in two hours on Wednesday. Deputies said residents should stay off the roads, since many are now flooded and dangerous.
“If you have not reached your shelter destination, please do so immediately,” sheriff’s officials said in a Wednesday evening update.
Video by Nick Samuel
Indian River County was working with Florida Department of Health, Salvation Army, United Way, Florida Department of Emergency Management, the FBI, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Army National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Power & Light Co. and more agencies in response efforts for Hurricane Milton. County Administrator John Titkanich said it takes a team effort to ensure residents are safe from the oncoming hurricane.
Milton slightly weakened to a Category 3 hurricane with 125 mph maximum sustained winds, according to the 4 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center. The storm was churning northeast at 17 mph.
Meteorologists said Hurricane Milton was expected to impact Florida’s Gulf Coast near Tampa sometime Wednesday night. The storm will narrowly weaken and continue eastbound. The hurricane will exit off the east coast.
The bridges to the barrier island remained open Wednesday afternoon. Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said the bridges will close once sustained winds reach 45 mph.
“That means our first responders are not going to be crossing those bridges once there is a sustained 45 mph wind gusts,” Flowers said. “We’ll be alerting the public (when bridges are closed.)”
The sheriff said there’s no timeline on if bridges close. Flowers said if the bridges are shut down, the decision will likely be made overnight when winds increase.
“More than likely this will not impact any sort of travel,” Flowers said. “We don’t want people out looking around. There will be dangers. With the winds there will be downed power lines and downed trees. Our team will assess that and sometime tomorrow we will let you know when it’s safe to go back out.”
The School District of Indian River County opened five shelters for those seeking refuge from Hurricane Milton. Lloyd said the shelters have plenty of space for evacuees traveling from the west coast battered by Hurricane Helene two weeks ago.
“If you are from the west coast and looking for a place to stay, Indian River County welcomes you into our public shelters,” Lloyd said. “We are here to help you.”
Flowers said he appreciates residents staying calm as they made preparations for the storm. One person was spotted parasailing early Wednesday at Humiston Beach before powerful winds bands passed through Indian River County.
Video by Nick Samuel
The sheriff said deputies were stationed at the shelters, monitoring gas stations, shopping centers and traffic. First responders will continue to update the public regularly with information regarding Hurricane Milton.
Closings
Public schools will remain closed through Friday and tentatively reopen on Monday.
County offices and the health department closed on Wednesday. The Indian River County courthouse and sheriff’s administrative offices closed on Tuesday.
All five customer convenience centers closed on Wednesday. Garbage and recycling shut down Wednesday and Thursday, and will continue Friday and Saturday, according to county officials. All libraries closed on Tuesday.
Those who want information on if streets become flooded, or other questions related to Hurricane Milton should call the storm hotline at 772-226-4000.
Earlier story:
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 the fields at 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.
Milton was expected to bring 25-to-35 mph winds with gusts up to 55 mph for Indian River County. Meteorologists issued a hurricane watch Monday night for Indian River County. The watch remains in effect until further notice.
The Emergency Operations Center operated under a level two – partial activation status – as of Monday for Hurricane Milton.
Video by Nick Samuel
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 180-mph maximum sustained winds and traveling east at 10 mph, according to an evening 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 closed 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.
County and sheriff’s officials reminded residents to be prepared for Hurricane Milton. Lloyd said higher level winds could lead to power outages in Indian River County.
Lloyd also spoke about generator safety.
“Do not use generators indoors or inside your garage. Do not back feed them directly into your homes,” Lloyd said. “If you’re going to refuel, make sure the generator has adequately cooled off before you start adding the new fuel to the tank.”
Flowers urged residents to stay calm while making preparations.
“While we’re asking you to prepare, we’re not asking you to panic. As you’re out there in the community, please take your time and be kind to each other,” Flowers said. “There’s plenty of gas. There’s plenty of supplies. We will make sure that everyone is safe while you’re out there. Take care of each other. Let’s get together and be prepared for this as one unified Indian River County.”
Video by Nick Samuel
Flowers said residents can download the Indian River County sheriff’s app and the county’s Aware and Prepare app for updates on the hurricane. Those who experience power outages can call Florida Power & Light Co. at 1-800-4-OUTAGE.
Residents who want updated information about Hurricane Milton and its impact on Indian River County should call the storm 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
