Hurricane Ian predicts up to 10 inches of rain in Brevard County

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Hurricane Ian’s exact projected path remains unclear, but meteorologists with the National Weather Service warn Space Coast residents to prepare for strong winds of a sustained tropical storm beginning Tuesday night. .

NWS Melbourne station meteorologist Jesse Smith provided the latest localized Ian forecast early Monday afternoon.

Brevard County expects 5-10 inches of rain in the next few days

“We’ve had so much rain in the last week or so that the soil is so saturated. You can drive everywhere and you can see the water. The ditches are pretty full. The reservoirs are really full.” said Smith.

“So rainfall from flooding will be the most important concern here. If people live in low-lying or flooded areas, think about what plans might include in case they have to leave their homes. It’s important,” she said.

more:Hurricane Ian threatens flooded Space Coast with more flooding, forecasters warn

more:Hurricane threat from Ian prompts preparations for flooding, blackouts at Brevard

Cocoa Beach has a 60% chance of experiencing strong sustained tropical storm winds and a 6% chance of sustained hurricane-like winds.

Strong tropical storm winds range from 39 to 73 miles per hour. Hurricane winds are over 74 miles per hour.

“As trucks move, especially east, that could increase,” says Smith.

“People should definitely start planning or make plans for evacuation,” she said.

Hurricane Tracker: Updated storm tracks

Increased chance of flash floods in Brevard County to 40%

“One of the big things that has changed overnight is that we are under moderate threat from excessive rainfall,” says Smith.

“I think that will be our biggest message. Be prepared for possible floods,” she said.

Regarding Ian’s approach, Smith warns: But as time goes on, our confidence grows. “

Smith noted that most of Brevard County remained within the eastern edge of Ian’s predicted track cone, with the exception of the southeast corner.

She said low-lying areas near the St. Johns River west of Interstate 95 could be particularly at risk, as was the case during Hurricane Irma in 2017.

DeSantis: “This is a very big hurricane at the moment”

In a briefing from the Tallahassee Emergency Operations Center at 11 a.m. Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis warned that Ian’s weather impact would extend beyond forecasts.

“Right now, it’s a very large hurricane. It’s about 500 miles wide,” said DeSantis.

“So if you look at the cone and see where the landfall is going, I think the landfall is still in Levy County, but the impact will be much wider than that,” he said. .

“Of course, its trajectory is not yet clear. It could wobble deep into the peninsula, or even farther from it,” he said.

At a noon press conference in Miami, FEMA administrator Dean Criswell warned everyone at the end of Ian’s walkway that a power outage is expected.

“So make sure you charge all your phones now and make copies of important documents. You’ll need them after the storm passes,” Criswell said. rice field.

Free distribution of sandbags at the distribution site

Brevard County Public Works and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office are working together to provide 10 free sandbags per vehicle at four distribution sites until 6:00 pm Monday.

• Chain of Lakes, 2300 Truman Scarborough Way, Titusville.
• Mitchell Ellington Park, 577 Hall Road, Merritt Island.
• Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne (use the park’s Parkway Drive entrance).
• East Florida State University Palm Bay Campus, 250 Community College Parkway SE.

Brevard County communications chief Don Walker said this afternoon officials will decide whether to continue the sandbag distribution program on Tuesday.

Walker said county officials will also decide on Tuesday whether to open windbreak shelters.

In Titusville, police officials announced on Facebook that sandbags will be available until 5 p.m. Monday at the city’s public works facility at 385 N. Singleton Avenue. A resident he can receive 10 sandbags and must fill the bags himself.

Cocoa Beach employees are permitted at the Cocoa Beach Country Club, 5000 Tom Warriner Blvd., on Mondays until 5:00 p.m. and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You have provided 10 sandbags to city residents.

According to a post on the Cocoa Beach City Hall Facebook page, participants are required to bring their own bags and can also bring a shovel to speed up the process.

Causeway closures are a common misconception

Walker said Brevard’s causeway will not be closed during the hurricane. Rather, Florida Department of Transportation officials will close the causeway to conduct safety inspections after the storm has passed.

However, when wind speeds exceed 40 mph, the causeway becomes unsafe for high-profile vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances, Walker said. So Beachside residents should keep that in mind when deciding whether to evacuate, he said.

Lunchtime Wheelchair and Elderly Meal officials are expected to continue operating as normal as of Monday morning. To contact her Aging Matters at Brevard who coordinate these services, call 321-639-8770 or agingmattersbrevard.org.

Elsewhere on the transport side as Ian approaches, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has initiated a medical transport support contract for 52 ambulances and 100 paratransit seats staged at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. .

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Community Issues columnist Britt Kennerly contributed to this report. Rick Neal South Brevard Watchdog Reporter for FLORIDA TODAY (For more on his story, visit click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. twitter: @RickNeale1

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