VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A curfew remains in effect Thursday in Volusia County for areas east of the Intracoastal Waterway following Tropical Storm Nicole.
The county said the curfew began 11:22 a.m. Thursday and will go through 7 a.m. Friday. There was an original curfew in place from 7 p.m. Wednesday through 7 a.m. Thursday.
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The curfew is for incorporated and unincorporated areas.
County officials said the curfew does not apply to law enforcement and regular employees of local businesses, industries and governmental entities traveling to and from work.
Bridges to the beachside in New Smyrna Beach were closed until being reopened before 10 a.m. Friday.
UPDATE: All bridges to the beachside are reopened. However, areas of Atlantic Avenue in Wilbur-by-the-Sea and Daytona Beach Shores are blocked to the general public at this time due to ongoing heavy damage assessment and recovery. Residents can access with proof of residency. pic.twitter.com/U34b77mPeJ
— Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) November 11, 2022
At a news conference Thursday, Volusia’s Community Information Director Kevin Captain said no storm-related deaths had been reported in the county from Nicole. One storm-related injury was pending at that time, Captain said, involving a tree and a vehicle.
“Even though the storm has left our area, danger still lurks in Volusia County. We ask you to remain cognizant of additional weather-related events that can transpire throughout the remainder of this afternoon and into the evening and even into tomorrow,” Captain said.
Emergency Management Director Jim Judge, too, urged listeners to keep an eye on the weather and any relevant warnings in the short term.
“We’re still up to 10-foot breaking waves all along the coast, so very dangerous conditions there. Astor has gone back up to major flood stage. So, you know, with the fact that the northern winds have impeded the flow and with some of the rainfall to the south. We have seen conditions all along St. Johns, but especially in Astor as we get back into flood stage,” Judge said. “We will again experience a high tide this evening at 9:42, and again we’re looking at a full moon, so conditions continue to be very difficult all along the beaches... So be smart about what you’re doing. Stay home, stay off the roads, and let us do our jobs out there.”
Daytona Beach International Airport did not sustain any significant damage and intends to open its terminal around 4 a.m. Friday, Captain said, adding those who missed or anticipate to miss flights should contact their airline.
Volusia County Manager George Recktenwald explained the curfew east of the Intracoastal was to allow for an unobstructed path for damage assessments.
“We have preliminary assessment reports of 11 compromised structures in Daytona Beach Shores and Ormond-by-the-Sea. Unfortunately, we anticipate more structures will be identified as compromised as these inspections continue. If you live on the coastline, or have plans to stay at a hotel or motel on a coastline, please do not return at this time, please allow our officials time to determine if a structure is safe. Just because there are no physical signs of damage, there could be underlying foundation damage or other issues that may not be apparent,” Recktenwald said. “The structural damage along our coastline is unprecedented. We’ve never experienced anything like this before, so we ask your patience as we make our assessments.”
Residents can get their questions answers — such as learning the contact information for their utilities company to report a downed power line — by calling Volusia’s Citizens Information Center at (866) 345-0345.
Watch the conference in the video player below:
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