VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Volusia County announced on Monday that it has enacted an evacuation order for Hurricane Milton ahead of the storm’s landfall in Florida.
In a release, county officials said that the evacuation order will begin on Wednesday at 8 a.m. for the following places:
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- All areas east of the intracoastal waterway
- All manufactured and mobile homes
- All low-lying areas and other areas prone to flooding
- All campsites and RV recreational parks
“Hurricane Milton poses a significant threat of heavy rainfall, flooding, and damaging winds and gusts,” the release reads. “Evacuees are encouraged to seek short-distance evacuations to a nearby location, stay with friends or family, or visit www.volusia.org to find local shelters and help minimize traffic congestion.”
[READ: What do evacuation zones mean? Here’s what you need to know]
In addition, county officials said that a curfew has been scheduled for Volusia County beginning at 8 p.m. on Wednesday. It is set to last through 8 a.m. on Thursday to “discourage unnecessary traffic” as the storm passes through Central Florida.
However, this curfew does not apply to the following groups:
- Regular members of law enforcement bodies
- Regular employees of businesses, industries, or government entities while traveling for their job
- All emergency workers
Anyone who knowingly violates the curfew can face a fine of up to $500 and imprisonment in the county jail for up to 60 days.
As Hurricane Milton continues to rage in the Gulf of Mexico on a projected path to Florida — with Orlando in the center of the forecast track — WKMG-TV will provide extended coverage to help keep the Central Florida community informed and safe.
As of Monday, Milton — a Category 5 hurricane — was expected to strike the Tampa Bay area as a Category 3 storm before crossing over the Orlando area as a Category 2 hurricane.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 51 counties ahead of the storm. As a result, school districts, universities and the Orlando International Airport have announced closures. Click here to see the school closures in your area.
Meanwhile, for a full list of emergency shelters open in Central Florida, click here.