Volusia County Closes Beach Ramps, Opening Two Shelters In A.M.

UPDATE: (August 2) – Volusia County closes the shelters opened this morning after Isaias is downgraded back to a tropical storm and takes a slight more northerly turn, staying away from the coastline.  Beach ramps remain closed until after the storm surge and could reopen on Tuesday. DeLand, FL – Beach ramps in Volusia County are shut down and four shelters, serving special needs and those who can’t stay at home and have nowhere else to go, will open tomorrow morning. Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue shut down the ramps at 2 p.m. today. They’ll remain closed until Hurricane Isaias is past. Reopening  the beaches to vehicles depends on an assessment of turtle nests, replacement of any missing conservation posts, and return of all toll booths to ramps. Volusia County Emergency Management Director Jim Judge encourages residents to shelter in place, if possible. Four shelters, two for the general population and two others for those with special needs, including service animals. They both open at 8 a.m. tomorrow (August 2). The information listed below and more can be found at volusia.org.  It will be upated when new information becomes available. Face coverings are mandatory at all shelters and a wellness assessment will be performed on individuals prior to admittance. If individuals do not feel well, are self-isolating because of exposure to COVID-19 or have been diagnosed with COVID-19, they should not go to a shelter. Families will be provided additional space to ensure physical distancing is maintained at all shelters. DeLand High, 800 N. Hill Ave. is available as a general population shelter. The Volusia County Fairgrounds, 3150 W. State Road 44, DeLand is also available as a general population shelter, and is pet friendly. This shelter houses people and pets in the same location. All companion animals must have a current license, vaccinations, identification and rabies tags. They must be confined in pet carriers or crates and must be under control at the facility at all times. Galaxy Middle, 2400 Eustace Ave., Deltona and Freedom Elementary, 1395 S. Blue Lake Ave., DeLand will serve as special needs shelters. Special needs shelters assist evacuees with disabilities or functional medical needs. They are pet friendly. Evacuees and their service animals will remain in the same location. It is too late to pre-register for a special needs shelter. Residents who are not registered will be assessed upon arrival at the shelters. People with special needs must be accompanied by a caregiver if this type of assistance is normally needed; note that only one caregiver will be permitted.