BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Emergency officials are recommending people living on the barrier island and other low-lying or flood-prone neighborhoods to evacuate before Hurricane Nicole has the potential to make landfall on Florida’s east coast.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey said during a Facebook Live update Tuesday that evacuations are also recommended for anyone who lives in a mobile home.
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‘’Our biggest fear is that no one takes this storm serious,” the sheriff said. “We want you to understand that this storm is going to be impacting us with winds, with surf.”
Sheriff Ivey said evacuations are not mandatory.
“Look at your scenario and determine if you want to evacuate. We know that our families are going to make the right choices for themselves and their families and their pets,” Sheriff Ivey said.
Six weeks after Hurricane Ian flooded some communities, emergency management said flooding remains a top concern with Nicole projected to bring 4 to 8 more inches of rain to the county.
Tuesday, the sheriff’s office with inmates gave away free sandbags at Camp Road in Sharpes and Wickham Park in Melbourne.
The City of Cape Canaveral also gave residents sandbags to protect homes at Manatee Sanctuary Park.
Sheriff Ivey said the county will provide its next Facebook Live update ahead of the storm on Wednesday morning.
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