Year: 2017

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Re-Entry Procedures

The Flagler Beach Police Department’s Hurricane Placard’s provides the holder with valuable pre and post storm information and is not considered a re-entry pass.  In the event the SR100/Moody Bridge is closed, re-entry to the barrier island/evacuation zone will be at the discretion of the Flagler Beach Police Department. Flagler Beach residents/business owners and Beverly Beach residents that evacuate due to Hurricane Irma are strongly encouraged to bring their identification, to include their Driver’s License along with a piece of mail (preferably their water or FP&L bill) with them when they leave the barrier island.  Having these identification items readily available, along with the placard, when you return will assist Law Enforcement Officers with the expedition of the re-entry process.  Please understand that the health, welfare and safety of the public are our utmost priority and concern.  We want you back in your homes as soon as possible after Hurricane Irma and your patience and understanding during this difficult time is greatly appreciated.

Hurricane Placards will be available at the Police Department until 4:00 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) for Flagler Beach residents/business owners and Beverly Beach residents.

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Voluntary Evacuations

Voluntary evacuations requested of residents beach side, Intracoastal, low-lying areas of western Flagler near Dead Lake

 

September 7, 2017 – Officials are requesting voluntary evacuation of residents who live in the Woodlands, coastal areas and Intracoastal, and the low lying areas of western Flagler County near Dead Lake.

Residents living in Hurricane Evacuation Zones A, B, C and F (NOT Palm Coast alphabet sections) should consider leaving the area ahead of Hurricane Irma.

Evacuation Zone A includes everything east of the Intracoastal including Marineland, Hammock, Flagler Beach along A1A.

Evacuation Zone B includes the neighborhoods along Colbert Lane to the south, all of the C section and the F section east of Florida Park Drive and the F section east of Palm Harbor Parkway. This zone also includes the area east of Old Kings Road, south of State Road 100 including Bulow and its adjacent neighborhood, Grand Haven and western Flagler Beach.

Evacuation Zone C is the Woodlands area of Palm Coast.

Evacuation Zone F is in western Flagler County and includes areas near Dead Lake – St. Johns Park and the Haw Creek basin – as the St. Johns River, which feeds Dead Lake is tidal.

“We are asking for residents to voluntarily evacuate, and now is the time to do it,” said Flagler County Public Safety Emergency Manager Steve Garten. “If you have the resources to travel, please head to the western side of the state or to the northwest out of the state.”

Residents should not travel north into coastal Georgia or the Carolinas as Irma is anticipated to impact those areas as well.

Flagler County has not yet opened emergency shelters, which are intended to serve as a last resort for those who are unable to otherwise evacuate the area.

Flagler Schools announced late Wednesday that classes and activities are cancelled Friday in advance of the storm.

Though not opened at this time, shelters will be prepared at Rymfire Elementary – for special needs – and at Bunnell Elementary for residents with crated, domesticated pets and the general population.

Bunnell Elementary – General Population and Pets

305 N. Palmetto Street, Bunnell

 

Rymfire Elementary – Special Needs

1425 Rymfire Drive, Palm Coast

 

Check for current information on Flagler County’s website www.flaglercounty.org, or tune into the county’s partner radio station WNZF, 1550 am, 106.3 fm and the Flagler Radio App worldwide. Follow “Flagler County Government” or “Flagler County Emergency Management on Facebook or Twitter. The county’s social media team will provide updates through these official accounts:

 

  • Facebook.com/FlaglerCountyGovernment
  • Facebook.com/FlaglerEOC
  • Twitter.com/FlaglerCtyGov
  • Twitter.com/FlaglerEM
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Hurricane Preparation Tips

2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season – Preparation Tips

 

The Atlantic Hurricane season begins June 1, 2017 and runs through November 30, 2017.   The following information is being provided in advance of this year’s season to assist our community with preparation efforts should a Tropical Cyclone event threaten our City.  Last year Hurricane Matthew impacted our City and that storm should serve as a reminder that Tropical Storms are highly unpredictable and they can pose a serious threat to our community.

 

Family Preparedness Tips

  • To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan. Don’t forget a plan for your pet(s).
  • Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows.  A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install.  Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
  • Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.
  • Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts. Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage.
  • Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
  • Determine how and where to secure your boat.
  • Install a generator for emergencies and test the generator before a storm.
  • Get any cash you may need before banks close (ATM’s may not work due to loss of electricity).
  • Locate and place important documents in a waterproof container.
  • Charge your cell phone battery as well as camera battery in case you need to take pictures of property damage. Keep a cell phone charger in your vehicle.
  • Fill up your vehicle’s gas tank because if there is a power outage in your area, gas pumps won’t work.
  • First sanitize and then fill your bathtubs, sinks and other containers with water for sanitary usage.
  • To keep food fresh, turn the settings on your refrigerator & freezer to their highest settings in case of a power outage.
  • Turn off and unplug any non-essential electrical equipment in your house.

 

Know a Safe Place to Take Your Pet(s)

  • Local and State health and safety regulations do not permit the Red Cross to allow pets in disaster shelters. (Service animals are allowed in Red Cross shelters.)
  • Contact hotels and motels outside your local area to check their policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size and species. Ask if “no pet” policies can be waived in an emergency.  Keep a list of “pet friendly” places, including phone numbers, with your disaster supplies.
  • Ask friends, relatives or others outside the affected area whether they could shelter your animals.
  • Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency; include twenty-four (24) hour phone numbers.
  • Ask local animal shelters if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets during a disaster.

Should you have any questions about the tips listed above, please feel free to contact Chief Doughney at (386) 517-2020.

Additional Hurricane preparedness information can be obtained by accessing any of the following websites;

FEMA website:  http://www.fema.gov/

FEMA for the Disabled & Elderly: http://www.fema.gov/news-release/2006/05/03/disabled-elderly-need-prepare-hurricanes

Red Cross website: http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family

Humane Society: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/animal_rescue/tips/pets-disaster.html#.U2vnPNTD-70

 

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Flagler Beach Enhancements for the Disabled

“Flagler Beach Enhancements for the Disabled”

 

The City of Flagler Beach is proud to announce the recent acquisition of equipment to enrich the Beach experience for residents and visitors with disabilities.  The equipment includes wheel chairs with extra-large tires for movement through sand, a semi-recliner chair for use in the water and wheel-chair accessible benches on the Pier.

 

The City thanks the Hilton Garden Inn Palm Coast for donating the two (2) beach wheel chairs.  The seaworthy chair, called a Mobi-Chair, was purchased in part with profits from the two (2) telescopes at the North 4th and South 8th Street Sea Dune crossovers, and through the City Recreation Fund.   All chairs are available to the public free of charge.  Additionally, wheel-chair accessible benches have been added to our World Famous Pier.

 

“Our continuing goal is to make our Beach experience one that is safe and memorable for all who come to Flagler Beach,” stated Flagler Beach City Manager Larry Newsom.  “As a City we are pleased and proud to offer those with disabilities more access to our lovely beach and ocean.”

 

Persons or parties that would like to utilize the mobi-chair or the beach access chairs, should contact the on-duty Flagler Beach Pier & Bait Shop Attendant.  A Driver’s License or identification Card will be required to reserve the specialty equipment and will be promptly returned when the specialty equipment is returned. The daily hours of operation for the Flagler Beach Pier & Bait Shop are 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. (midnight) and the phone number for the Pier & Bait Shop is (386) 517-2436.  Photographs of the specialized equipment are on page two (2) of this release.

 

#FlaglerBeach

 

 

 

 

“Mobi-Chair”

 

 

 

Beach Access Chairs

 

 

Wheel Chair Accessible Benches

 

 

 

Flagler Beach Pier & Bait Shop

(386) 517-2436

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Floating Sky Lanterns & Drones

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

 

June 26, 2017

 

“Floating Sky Lanterns & Aerial Drones – July 4th Festivities”

 

This year the Flagler Beach Police Department is once again requesting that aerial drones and floating sky lanterns stay grounded during this year’s Fourth of July festivities.

“Last year we issued a similar request and compliance by the public with that request was outstanding.  We’re issuing this year’s request in advance for the event in order to obtain similar results’” said Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney. “The helicopter allows us to identify traffic problems in real time and create solutions that are not easily recognizable at ground level.  Having the helicopter in unoccupied airspace after the fireworks is greatly appreciated”.

The increased use of aerial drones by the public over the past few years, along with the release of numerous floating sky lanterns after the 2015 fireworks presentation, has prompted this request.

In cases requiring an emergency response by Fire Flight, the helicopter may be required to land in a public area or near the beach.  Flying drones in or near an emergency helicopter pose a risk to the pilot as well as the general public and under FAA guidelines, unless you have a permit, they’re unlawful in Flagler Beach due to our close proximity to Flagler County Airport.

“While floating sky lanterns and drones may be beautiful to look at or fun to fly, they create a serious conflict with airspace,” Doughney continued.  “The safety of the public and the crew of the helicopter is our utmost priority”.

This request is being made in a proactive effort to reduce any conflicts in airspace.  We want this year’s event and subsequent traffic egress to be as safe as possible.  Your compliance with this request is greatly appreciated.

For more information regarding this request, please contact Chief Doughney at (386) 517-2022.

#FlaglerBeach4th

 

Floating Sky Lanterns

 

 

Aerial Drone

Accessibility by WAH