This is Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly with an update on Tropical Storm Nicole. Flagler County has signed an emergency order for evacuation in Zone A for the barrier island. What this means is that all beachside residents should be evacuating now or preparing to evacuate by 3:30 p.m. this afternoon. We do not anticipate any significant impacts on the mainland, but all public schools and county government buildings will be closed after today (November 9, 2022) for the rest of the week. Once today’s class at Rymfire is dismissed, Rymfire Elementary School will be used as a shelter for evacuations from the barrier island. Rymfire will be the only public shelter open during Tropical Storm Nicole. If you are in an evacuation area and you decide to stay, first responders may not be able to get to you quickly in case of an emergency due to the weather conditions. If you don’t want to be in that position, I urge you to evacuate as soon as possible. We are already seeing dune breaches and coquina rock washing up along A1A in Flagler Beach and the barrier island due to the pounding surf Nicole is generating. Remember, the dunes were significantly damaged from Hurricane Ian and the dune system has not been repaired, so it is already in a weakened state. We are already feeling some of the rain and wind from Nicole and that will continue until Friday. Fortunately, we’re not expecting nearly as much rain as Ian, but be prepared for up to six inches of rain. Many of the areas which flooded during Ian will likely flood again with Nicole, especially along A1A and the Intracoastal Waterway. Hopefully, you have all the supplies you need by now if you do plan to stay in your home. If not, I suggest getting them now. High-rise bridges will remain open for travel as long as sustained winds do not go above 45 miles an hour. If that occurs, the bridges will be closed until the wind drops down below 45 miles per hour. As of now, there are no plans for a curfew, but if that changes, we will let you know. I encourage you not to come to the barrier island to sight-see the surf and damage. Allow the barrier island residents to leave the barrier island. You could get in trouble on the barrier island and we may not be able to respond to rescue you. It’s better to watch the storm from home. Your Sheriff’s Office is ready for whatever Tropical Storm Nicole sends our way. Follow us on social media where we will continue to post updates until Nicole is no longer a threat to our community. Stay safe, everyone. We will get through this storm together. #TropicalStormNicole #FlaglerCounty #Evacuate #FCSO #GetReady #StormPrep #FlaglerStrong