OK, the previous message in the cycle is "Council Meeting" but that was a nice ominous touch for the passers by.
Here is the latest from Brevard County Emergency Management:
Mandatory evacuation issued for barrier islands, mobile homes
Brevard County officials have declared a local state of emergency. A mandatory evacuation order has been issused for the barrier islands, including Merritt Island, and for people living in the county's 29,000 mobile or manufactured homes. People also should evacuate in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding.The evacuation order begins at 2 p.m. Thursday, officials said at a news conference at about 3 p.m. today.
A dusk-to-dawn curfew in the evacuated areas will begin at 8:30 p.m. Friday, about 30 minutes after sundown. Law enforcement officers will stop and question people who are out after the curfew begins.
People are being ordered to evacuate, but they won't forced to leave their homes, officials said. Brevard County can expect to experience winds of at least 70 mph for 18 to 20 hours. At least 10-foot storm surges are expected along Brevard's 72 miles of coastline.
And from Indian River County (the next county south from Brevard):
Indian River County will begin mandatory evacuations Thursday
Indian River County Emergency Management coordinator Nate McCollum urged residents of the county to go north out of the state or west for protection immediately.
"Even our shelters may not be safe. It's better to evacuate if you can," he said.
Indian River will begin a mandatory evacuation of residents of barrier islands, beachside and mobile and manufactured homes at noon Thursday. Those living in low-lying areas also are encouraged to leave.
Four shelters at Sebastian River Middle, Oslo Middle, Gifford Middle or the Freshman Learning Center Schools will open at noon. The special-needs center at Sebastian River High School also will open at noon.
The county hasn't yet declared a state of emergency, which would trigger curfews, as Brevard did.
Schools in Indian River Counties will be closed today and Friday.
thank you for that!...I'm glad I came to check this thread. I've been e-mailing family in Palm Bay with tips that I've read on these Frances threads. My father-in-law (near Sebastian Inlet) is still planning to head to Palm Bay to wait it out....nice to know he beat the mandatory evacuation.
My Step-Dad is in Merritt Island, relocated from N.Y. last year. Happy to say that he will be evacuating. He is packing up what he wants to bring with him and leaving in the morning for a safer place. Prayers for all those in the path of Hurricane Frances.