ORLANDO, Fla. — Here's what our reporters and crews along the East Coast and around Central Florida are seeing as preparations continue for Isaias.

Check back here as we gather the latest information from our meteorologists and crews on Isaiah:


Monday


3 a.m.: Tropical Storm Isaias is pulling away from the waters adjacent to Central Florida, allowing conditions to gradually improve throughout Monday.

Lingering squalls wrapping around the back side of the storm may brush coastal communities through Monday morning with only a stray shower affecting inland areas. There still could be a few downpours embedded in any of these far outer bands.

Winds will be gusty starting out before easing by Monday afternoon. With drier air filling in behind Isaias, the coverage of any afternoon storms would be minimal.

— Maureen McCann

2 a.m.: In its 2 a.m. advisory, the National Hurricane Center discontinued its Tropical Storm warning along the east coast of Florida south of the Volusia/Brevard County line. Isaias still is reporting maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and is moving north-northwest at 9 mph. However, the hurricane center advised that it could regain nearly hurricane strength by the time it reaches the Carolinas.


Sunday


8 p.m.: Tropical Storm Isaias continues its northward trek just east of the Space Coast.

Isaias remains a strong tropical storm, with winds at 70 mph.

The storm is 55 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral, or about due east of Melbourne Beach. Isaias is moving to the north-northwest at 9 mph.

It is still expected to lift northward and impact the east coast of Central Florida this evening into early Monday.

Tropical storm warnings continue for entire east coast of Central Florida.

Conditions will continue to worsen tonight, as Isaias gets closer to the area. Gusty winds and rain squalls remain the biggest threats. A small storm surge of 1-3 feet is possible along the coast this evening at high tide.

 

 

7:04 p.m.: Volusia County announced that beaches will remain closed to vehicle traffic, even after Isaias passes. When they reopen will depend on the status of the more than 700 known turtle nests on the beaches and conservation poles. Volusia County Environmental Management must locate, evaluate and remark, where necessary, all nests, as well as replace missing conservation poles before vehicles are permitted access. The county also announced:

  • All of the Volusia storm shelters that were opened Sunday morning have now closed because there was no demand for them.
  • Volusia beach safety workers made two rescues in the rough surf on Sunday.

 

6:55 p.m.: Shelters across the region have closed due to lack of turnout.

A shelter at Viera Regional Community Center in Brevard County opened at 11 a.m. and, by 3:30 p.m., only one resident had requested assistance, officials said.

In Flagler County, plans were scrapped Sunday to open an emergency shelter.

And in Volusia County, the last shelter that had been open, at Galaxy Middle School in Deltona, closed Sunday afternoon. Officials said Votran transportation services that were suspended Sunday will resume as normal Monday.

 

5:08 p.m.: Tropical Storm Isaias is impacting Central Florida, and will continue to do so tonight and into early Monday.

Rain squalls and winds will continue to increase this evening, as the center of Isaias moves closer. The worst weather will likely be tonight, especially along the Brevard and Volusia coastline. A small storm surge of 1-3 feet is possible along the coast this evening at high tide.

For inland areas, including metro Orlando, rain squalls will continue along with some windy conditions. Lows tonight wil only fall into the mid 70s.

Isaias has strengthened just slightly as it makes a close swing by Cape Canaveral. As of 5 p.m., it had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. Isaias is about 65 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral and headed north-northwestward at about 9 mph.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from the center. A weather station at Sebastian Inlet recently measured a wind gust of 49 mph.

The tropical storm warning has been discontinued south of Sebastian Inlet.

Hurricane watches and storm surge warnings are now up for portions of the Carolinas.

Isaias will still be impacting the area on Monday. Strong winds and rain squalls will continue in the morning, especially in Volusia and Flagler counties.

Conditions will improve Monday, with just breezy conditions by afternoon. Highs for Monday will be in the low 90s.

Isaias became a hurricane early Friday. It was the earliest "I" named storm on record in the Atlantic Basin, surpassing the previous record held by Irene from August 2005.

As we enter the more active part of hurricane season, we remind you to not be scared, just be prepared. Checking your supply kit and reviewing your plan with your family are good ideas so that you are ready for anything that may come our way during the next few months.  

The peak of hurricane season is September 10, and the season runs through November 30.

— David Heckard

4:24 p.m.: In Daytona Beach, the waves crashing into the pier have not stopped a lot of people from coming to the beach.

One family even was continuing with their vacation plans.

“We debated it, but we already had the reservation, and with everything else going on in life, we wanted to get away so we took the chance,” Renee Welch of Sarasota said.

Her family had planned this vacation in February, and Welch said the experience has been "wonderful" so far.

Her husband and son went into the water, and the son even did some boogie-boarding under the watchful eye of his father.

Volusia beach safety officials have urged people to stay out of the water because 51 people had to be rescued Saturday because of rip currents.

Welch said they probably would not leave the beach "until the rains are too harsh."

“Its crazy people are coming here," contractor Dave Spears said. "It puts people in danger. Right now, it's not bad, but it's going get bad.”

Spears was hired by Volusia County to clean up trash on the beach and said he has been picking up cans, towels, and other items left there.

"I've never seen it this bad," Spears said.

— Matt Fernandez

3:36 p.m.: In Brevard County, some families are coming to the beach to see what Isaias's effects look like.

Steady winds and surf greeted beach-goers at Indialantic's boardwalk in south Brevard County. Among them was 3-year-old Noah Shah, who is getting an idea of the storm so far, and his mother, Samantha.

"Matthew, Irma, Dorian was last year," Samantha Shah said.

Each year of Noah's life so far has been touched by a hurricane.

"He's a Floridian," Noah's father, Sameer, joked.

The Shahs drove from St. Cloud to check out the churning ocean created by Tropical Storm Isaias. They said they wanted to see the storm before conditions got worse.

"(We wanted to) get him out of the house. He's going to be locked up a little bit. Get some fresh air," Sameer Shah said.

"Get some saltwater therapy, go home and lock up," Samantha added.

Steps away from the boardwalk, there was no locking up at Bizzaro Pizza. Workers had no plans to close as the storm got closer.

"Everybody wants to come see the big waves," manager Jeremiah Wasilewski said.

Business was up as people stopped in for a slice as they took in the sights.

"Everything else is closed. Why not get some pizza and go to the beach?" Wasilewski said.

"These things seem to change course last minute, but be prepared with your supplies, water, and nonperishables, and you should be fine," Samantha Shah said.

— Greg Pallone

2 p.m.: Isaias is moving at about 9 mph north-northwestward, just off our east coast. As of now, the center of Tropical Storm Isaias is about 45 miles east-southeast of Vero Beach and about 90 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral. Sustained winds were holding at about 65 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from the center. A wind gust of 46 mph was picked up at Sebastian Inlet.

Tropical storm warnings remained in effect from Jupiter Inlet all the way to Surf City, North Carolina. Our eastern side may see 2 to 4 inches of rain. Swells generated by Isaias can cause life-threatening surf and rip-current conditions.

The center of Isaias was expected to move near our east coast today through late tonight. By Monday and into Tuesday, the storm will move off Georgia and up near the Mid-Atlantic states.

 

12:29 p.m.: Volusia County has issued a voluntary evacuation order for some residents, and has opened up several shelters.

At the beach, high tide was even higher than normal — one of the reasons the county also shut down beach driving until the storm passes. 

Despite potential impacts, some that live by the beach are deciding not to evacuate but are glad they have options. 

“For this area, it is very important that the shelters remain open, and for them to welcome people still through this pandemic, it is very, it is awesome,” resident Don Hipsky said.

For those who feel safe, the county says the best option is to hunker down at home. 

The shelters — which are practicing social distancing protocols — are located at DeLand High School and the Volusia County Fairgrounds. Galaxy Middle and Freedom Elementary are serving as special needs shelters for people with disabilities.

 

12:25 p.m.: Brevard County has opened up a shelter for county residents if they need to have a safe place to go as Isaias approaches. The shelter is at the Viera Regional Community Center.

Health screenings will be in place for anybody coming to the shelter.  

Residents are reminded that they need to bring their own supplies, including personal protection equipment, to the shelter.

 

11:27 a.m.: Not too much as changed: Isaias' winds are still down to 65 mph. It's no longer expected to become a hurricane.

It will make its closest pass along Florida’s east coast on Sunday night into early Monday morning.

Advisories are being changed and hurricane warning along the coast has been canceled. It has been replaced with a tropical storm warning.

Expect the wind to steadily increase Sunday with the strongest sustained winds and gusts possible along the coast of Brevard, Volusia and Flagler counties. This is where wind gusts could exceed 70 mph at times when Isaias makes its closest pass later Sunday night.

Inland spots will experience gusty winds of 40 to 50 mph with some isolated higher gusts possible. While some squalls will work west of the Interstate 4 corridor, the impacts for Marion, Sumter and Lake counties will be much lower.

Rain totals will range from a half inch to two inches inland. Along Interstate 95 and eastward, rainfall will range from an inch to four inches with isolated higher amounts from any heavier downpours.

Isaias will pull away from Central Florida early Monday morning. On its southern side, we could still experience breezy to wind conditions with some fast-moving showers. The wind and rain chances look to start to subside by Monday afternoon as Isaias continues to move farther north and away from the region.

— Maureen McCann

5:32 a.m.: Isaias has weakened even more, with winds are down to 65 mph. This is no longer expected to become a hurricane.

It will make its closest pass along Florida’s East Coast Sunday night into early Monday morning.

Advisories are being changed and hurricane warning along the coast has been canceled. It has been replaced with a tropical storm warning.

— Chris Gilson

4 a.m.: Isaias will bring gusty squalls of rain along with rough ocean conditions along our east coast Sunday into early Monday morning.

The timing of when the storm will make its closest pass of Central Florida continues to shift. While gusty squalls and winds will start to kick up early Sunday, it looks like Isaias will be moving directly along our coast later Sunday evening into the early hours of Monday morning.

Expect the wind to steadily increase Sunday with the strongest sustained winds and gusts possible along the coast of Brevard, Volusia and Flagler counties. This is where wind gusts could exceed 70 mph at times when Isaias makes its closest pass later Sunday night.

Inland spots will experience gusty winds of 40 to 50 mph with some isolated higher gusts possible. While some squalls will work west of the Interstate 4 corridor, the impacts for Marion, Sumter and Lake counties will be much lower.

Rain totals will range from a half inch to two inches inland. Along Interstate 95 and eastward, rainfall will range from an inch to four inches with isolated higher amounts from any heavier downpours.

Isaias will pull away from Central Florida early Monday morning. On its southern side, we could still experience breezy to wind conditions with some fast-moving showers. The wind and rain chances look to start to subside by Monday afternoon as Isaias continues to move farther north and away from the region.

— Chris Gilson


Saturday


11 p.m.: Hurricane Isaias remains a strong tropical storm between South Florida and the Bahamas Saturday night.

Winds remain at 70 mph. Isaias was a hurricane earlier on Saturday.

The storm is 85 miles east-southeast of Fort Lauderdale and is moving to the northwest at 9 mph.

Isaias may still intensify into a hurricane once again overnight. It is still expected to lift northward and impact the east coast of Central Florida on Sunday into Sunday night.

Hurricane warnings continue for coastal Volusia and Brevard counties, with tropical storm warnings for inland areas.

The main impacts will be Sunday afternoon into early Monday as Isaias makes its closest pass to the region.

Right now, gusty winds and rain squalls are the biggest threats. A storm surge of 2-4 feet is also possible along the coast.

— David Heckhard

10 p.m. — Isaias has weakened to a tropical storm this evening. However, impacts will likely be the same whether it’s a strong tropical storm or weak hurricane. The worst weather will be along the coast, especially in Brevard County and southern Volusia County.

Isaias will continue to move northward overnight into Sunday. Outer rain bands are already impacting the Treasure Coast, and some outer bands will be possible by daybreak Sunday in S Brevard.

Isaias will hug the coastline Sunday – early Monday, bringing tropical storm force winds, rain squalls and possible 2-4” of storm surge.

It should be noted a landfall is possible with this system, with the highest chance of this south of Cape Canaveral. Should it make landfall, the center will likely stay east of I-95 as it lifts northward.

TIMING:

The timing has shifted back. Tropical storm force winds will likely arrive Sunday morning to South Brevard. The winds will arrive Sunday afternoon to North Brevard and South Volusia, and on Sunday evening for North Volusia and Flagler.

The center of Isaias is now scheduled to be near Stuart at 2 p.m. Sunday. It will reach New Smyrna Beach at 2 a.m. Monday  and north of Jacksonville by 2 p.m Monday.

Conditions will improve early Monday in Brevard and likely by midmorning Monday in Flagler and Volusia.

IMPACTS:

  • Wind: Tropical storm force winds will be likely along the coastal counties. Hurricane force winds will likely be confined to the Brevard barrier islands (if they develop at all). The tropical storm force winds in Metro Orlando will likely be confined to rain squalls.
  • Rain: 2-4 inches of rain is possible along the coast. Much lower amounts are expected inland, around a half inch to 2 inches. Flooding from rain is not likely to be a major concern.
  • Surge: 2-4 feet of storm surge is possible along the entire coast. The highest chance will be near high tide on Sunday (from 7 p.m. to -9 p.m.). Flooding of inlets, bays and typical surge-prone areas is very possible. A widespread storm surge event is unlikely.
  • Beaches: Beach erosion is very possible, especially in Brevard County. Rip current threats will be high the next couple of days.
  • Tornado: The tornado threat is low with the system at this time.

— David Heckard

8:20 p.m.: President Trump declared a state of emergency for the state of Florida as Tropical Storm Isaias approaches.

That allows the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate all disaster relief efforts.

The following counties are included in the emergency declaration:

  • Brevard
  • Broward
  • Clay
  • Duval
  • Flagler
  • Indian River
  • Martin
  • Miami-Dade
  • Monroe
  • Nassau
  • Okeechobee
  • Orange
  • Osceola
  • Palm Beach
  • Putnam
  • Seminole
  • St. Johns
  • St. Lucie
  • Volusia

8 p.m.: Isaias has been downgraded to a tropical storm as its winds dropped to nearly 70 mph. The storm could restrengthen to a hurricane between now and when it approaches our coast. The storm is moving northwest, and its forward progress has slowed to  about 9 mph, which could delay arrival of the worst conditions until late Sunday or early Monday morning.

The strongest winds are to the east of the center. Wind shear and dry air has taken its toll on the hurricane Saturday, but it's also over warm water. As a result, the intensity forecast is not expected to increase signficantly through Sunday night, paralleling the east coast. 

This article has an in-depth forecast, and we have all the forecast tracks, satellite loops, and more on our tropical weather page.

6:30 p.m.: In Volusia County, officials stepped up storm preparations, urging residents to be in place by noon Sunday to the location where they want to ride out the storm. 

As of 8 a.m. ET Sunday, Volusia will open a limited number of shelters for individuals with special needs or those who cannot remain in their current residence and have no other place to go. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, individuals are encouraged to shelter in place or with friends or family if at all possible. Shelters will be open for those who have no other options. Authorities called on residents not to show up at shelters before they open. 

DeLand High, 800 N. Hill Ave. is available as a general population shelter. The Volusia County Fairgrounds, 3150 W. State Road 44 in 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. in Deltona and Freedom Elementary, 1395 S. Blue Lake Ave. in DeLand will serve as special-needs shelters. Special-needs shelters assist evacuees with disabilities or functional medical needs. They are pet friendly, but pets must have all vaccines up to date and be contained in pet carriers or crates.

Face coverings are required 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, officials said. 

Ramp access to Volusia County beaches were closed Saturday. Volusia County Beach Safety said surf conditions already were rough and 45 people had to be rescued by early in the day.

Bridges crossing the Halifax River will be closed when the wind speed reaches 39 mph, officials said. If closures are necessary, the bridges would not reopen until the Florida Department of Transportation inspects them and determines they are structurally safe, authorities said.

Votran will operate its normal Sunday schedule routing, with the addition of service on State Roads 40 and 41 and Route 44 for southeast passengers. All fares will be waived on Sunday. In addition, all fixed-route buses will serve as pickup points for shelters. Evacuees will be taken to a transfer point, where they will be brought to a shelter. Bus service will operate from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET. Passengers who live on the west side of the county and require Votran transportation to a shelter should call 386-761-7700 and select option 2.

5:45 p.m.: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has declared a State of Emergency in the City of Orlando in advance of Isaias's arrival to Central Florida. The city is scheduled to go to a Level 2 activation at 8 a.m. Sunday. on Sunday. 

“Now is the time to reassess our disaster kits and supplies, check in with our neighbors, and make sure we are prepared on all fronts,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “Public safety and health is the most important during this time and we must take every storm seriously.” 

5:30 p.m.: In his second news conference of the day, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced two additional updates to the state's emergency response preparation for Isaias:

  • Uber has activated free rides to shelters in counties responding to Tropical Storm Isaias. Individuals can use the code “IsaiasRelief” to receive up to $25 off up to three trips to or from state-approved shelters.
  • More than 11,400 power restoration personnel are staged in anticipation of responding to impacts from Isaias. 

3:45 p.m.: South Florida Water Management District announced that it had fully activated its emergency operations center to respond to potential impacts of Isaias.

11 a.m.: At Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral, workers were clearing guests out of Hurricane Isaias’s arrival. 

With hours before the campground’s closure, only a few handful of families remained, packing up quickly in hopes of pulling out before the weather takes a turn.

Isabel Jimenez and her group got there early Thursday from Fort Lauderdale, spending some time enjoying the sunshine and the near-empty beaches.

She said they were watching the weather before they went on their trip, surprised Isaias turned into a Category 1 storm. 

“We’re sad because this is supposed to be our vacation," Jimenez said. "COVID-19 has ruined our summer plans. So this was the only time we were able to have fun, and now it’s ruined because of the hurricane. Hopefully, it doesn’t do anything, and we can come next month or something, but we don’t know."

Residents have been preparing across Brevard County in recent days, stocking up on the essentials at hardware stores and filling up sandbags to block out water from homes. The Red Cross has been urging people to prepare now, before the storm hits.

— Rachael Krause

10:55 a.m.: A tropical storm warning has been issued for Flagler County. That means tropical-storm-force winds are expected in the next 36 hours. Forecasters say the window of high winds could last from Sunday afternoon until early Monday morning. Peak winds are expected to be 30-40 mph. Life-threatening storm surge with 3 feet of flooding is also possible. There's also the potential for rip currents, beach erosion, and structure damage.

8 a.m.: In a news conference, Gov. Ron DeSantis said states of emergency have been declared for every Florida east coast county from Miami-Dade to Nassau. Also, President Donald Trump has approved the state's federal disaster declaration. That allows for federal reimbursement for funds spent on storm recovery by the state.

And 12 counties have declared a local state of emergency: 

  • Palm Beach
  • Monroe
  • Volusia
  • Osceola
  • Seminole
  • Martin
  • Okeechobee
  • Orange
  • Brevard
  • Indian River
  • Flagler
  • Glades

6 a.m.: Jetty Park in Brevard County will be closed all day Saturday and Sunday Aug 1 and 2. All camping guests must vacate by Saturday 12 noon.  There will be no access to the beach or fishing pier.  https://www.portcanaveral.com/Recreation/Jetty-Park-Beach-Pier

 


Friday


10 p.m.: SunRail Trains Won’t Run on Monday because of Hurricane Isaias

The Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) announced Friday night it’s suspending SunRail service on Monday, August 3 because of the approaching hurricane.

FDOT said in a news release crews will begin on Saturday securing railroad gates at 127 crossings along the SunRail’s 61.5 mile corridor.

Longer rail gates will be removed, and the train fleet will be stored.

After Hurricane Isaias passes, crews will inspect the entire corridor, remove any debris, perform safety inspections and reinstall the removed gates before SunRail service is safely restored.

9 p.m.: Gov. Ron DeSantis requests "pre-landfall emergency" as Hurricane Isaiah moves closer to Florida

In a letter on Friday, Florida’s governor requested that President Donald Trump declare a pre-landfall emergency for the following counties as people along the state’s east coast watch Hurricane Isaias inch closer.

  • Brevard
  • Broward
  • Clay
  • Duval
  • Flagler
  • Indian River
  • Martin
  • Miami-Dade
  • Monroe, Nassau
  • Okeechobee
  • Orange, Osceola
  • Palm Beach
  • Putnam
  • Seminole
  • St. Johns
  • St. Lucie
  • Volusia

Earlier in the day, Governor DeSantis issued his own state of emergency for the same counties.

6:45 p.m.: As Hurricane Isaias moves closer to Florida, preparations are already underway along Volusia County beaches.

“When it gets closer and we know that it is imminent. We will secure all of our essential assets off the beach. We can do that probably within an 8-hour period,” said Captain Tamra Malphurs with Volusia County Beach Safety​

While they do plan to have life guards out, they say beach driving will likely be closed off on Sunday.

“We are going to be flying the red flag. It is going to be hazardous surf conditions out there. This weekend is not the time to come and try your surf board or your paddle board. It is not for novice people out there to be trying new things,” Malphurs said.

If you do decide to go to Volusia this weekend, Beach Safety asks that you make sure that you only swim in front of a lifeguard.

— Nicole Griffin

6 p.m.: Three boat docks on popular lakes for Osceola and Polk County residents are closing at the end of normal hours on Saturday and won't reopen until officials think it's safe. Those are:

  • S-65 boat lock, Lake Kissimmee
  • S-65A boat lock, Kissimmee River
  • S-61 boat lock, Lake Tohopekaliga

5:30 p.m.: As Isaias makes its way toward Florida, people are preparing for potential impacts.

The problem for many in the town of Gotha, there is not much they can do. The town has a recent history of flooding and rising water levels from lakes and ponds that Orange County is currently investigating.

For homeowners like Paul and Stacey DeHart, sandbags can only do so much when they are trying to defend against Mother Nature.

“It’s something that never goes away. We always think about rain," Gotha resident Stacey Dehart said. "A hurricane is always our worst case scenario, it's something we have feared now for a couple of years, we just can’t take that magnitude of rain.”

The county says they are currently monitoring the water levels in Gotha, as well as any potential flood impacts from the storm.

— Asher Wildman

4:55 p.m.: A hurricane warning has been issued for coastal Brevard County.

A hurricane watch has been issued for coastal Volusia County, and a tropical storm watch is now up for coastal Flagler County.

We now have a tropical storm warning for Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties.

4:30 p.m.: Brevard County is under the state of emergency, and locals are out getting last-minute supplies ahead of Isaias. If anyone knows how to prepare for a hurricane, it's Brevard beachside resident Renee Mussina.

She's lived just north of Sebastian Inlet since the early 1970s and has been through all the hurricanes and tropical storms the Space Coast has faced for the past 50 years.

"This is routine," she said. "You just go into storm mode."

West Melbourne Home Depot Assistant Manager Tonia Hiller said her store is picking up foot traffic. The store is stocked up with supplies: A cache of batteries, generators, gas cans, weather radios, and plywood.

Also preparing for the storm is amateur radio operators like Dan Fisher of the Platinum Coast Amateur Radio Society. He along with others, are part of a hurricane watch group fanned out across the Caribbean and Florida.

"Eyes 'on'​ is critical," Fisher said. "We take information from the ground, and feed it to the National Hurricane Center."

Storm veterans like Mussina has important advice for those inexperienced with hurricanes: "Don't think every storm is like this -- they can be really nasty."

— Greg Pallone

​3:25 p.m.: Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency across most of Central Florida as Hurricane Isaiah heads northeast on a path cutting through the Bahamas. The following counties were put under an emergency declaration: Brevard, Broward, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, and Volusia.

The declaration cites the risk of dangerous storm surge, heavy rainfall, flooding, strong winds, hazardous seas, and the potential for isolated tornadic activity for portions of Florida’s peninsula — all while a public health emergency exists as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

A hurricane watch had already been issued for parts of Florida.

Live updates from Spectrum News 13 crews