HURRICANE: 2009 hurricane names – Claudette would be next

Heavy winds from storm knock down Chase Bank sign, topple tree onto vehicle

VERO BEACH — A severe thunderstorm with powerful wind gusts knocked down a Chase Bank sign near Beachland Boulevard Wednesday. The storm also toppled a tree onto a firefighter's personal vehicle, Vero Beach police spokesperson Officer Kelsea Marty said. "No one was inside. (The vehicle) was unoccupied," Marty said. No injuries were immediately reported. Motorists driving along Beachland Boulevard were able to see the damaged Chase Bank sign laying flat on the grassy area in front of the business. The incident where the tree fell on the firefighter's vehicle happened at the fire station near the 1300 block of Old Dixie Highway, Marty said. The weather disturbance - which also dumped hail throughout other parts of Central Florida - snapped ...

County announces beach closures ahead of beach restoration project

At least two beaches will be closed starting this weekend ahead of the beach restoration project, which will start back up next week, county officials said. The project aims to restore sand - which had been washed away by storms and hurricanes over the years - at the beaches. Beach park access at Seagrape Trail Beach Access and Treasure Shores Park Beach will both close starting Friday, county officials said. Seagrape Trail Beach is located south of Wabasso Beach, off Highway A1A. Treasure Shores Park Beach is located north of Wabasso Beach. Construction at Treasure Shores Park Beach - which will start Nov. 1 - was expected to last for 45 days. Crews will finish dumping 30,000 cubic yards of ...

Community Development Department closes in-person services

The Community Development Department closed in-person services Monday as county officials implement more health precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Officials plan to add more physical barriers to the front counters inside the building, which already has temperature scanners installed. County employees and those who visit county facilities are already required to wear masks inside. County Administrator Jason Brown was not immediately available to confirm reports that six employees in the Community Development Department tested positive for the virus. Further details on the employees were not available. The Community Development Department includes current development, code enforcement, long range planning and fire safety divisions. The physical offices will be closed to the public possibly for a week, but residents can ...