Volusia, Flagler residents prepare for Hurricane Ian, some residents asked to prepare to evacuate

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — People in Volusia and Flagler counties are preparing for Hurricane Ian and the potential impacts it may bring along the coast.

No evacuation orders have been issued yet, but Flagler County officials asking residents who live east of Interstate 95, in mobile homes or in low-lying areas prone to flooding to be prepared to evacuate.

Rick Bellhumer lives near the Matanzas River in Flagler County said the area is prone to flooding during heavy rains and worries Ian will cause heavy flooding.

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Bellhumer told Channel 9 that when Hurricane Irma hit in 2017 the water level rose to the top of mailboxes along Flagler Avenue, and even into some of the houses.

“My father built his house in 85′ and he never had water in the house until Irma,” Bellhumer said.

South of Flagler Beach, residents are also worried about the possible impacts from Hurricane Ian.

Read: HURRICANE IAN UPDATES: Category 3 storm moving faster with winds at 120 mph

Ed “Heavy” Kastrul told Channel 9 that he is trying a new method to keep his motorcycle repair shop on beach street dry

“We are sealing the doors so no water can get in,” Kastrul said. “We have done this before and it’s worked. We’ve had good success with expandable foam spray.”

Almost every city in Volusia County is offering sandbags for residents.

Read: Universal, Disney World announce temporary closures ahead of Hurricane Ian

One of the largest dispensing locations is on Jean Street in Daytona Beach, where lines to get sandbags stretched for more than a block.

“The street floods really but not the house or the garage,” said resident Dave Radevugh. “Just going to try to cover up the garage door and make sure it doesn’t flood.”

Volusia County has issued a curfew for its non-incorporated areas that will begin Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Read: Hurricane Ian: County-by-county guide to shelter locations in Central Florida

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