Flagler County Urges Residents To Prepare Ahead For Possible Freeze

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Flagler County, FL - Flagler County officials are urging residents to stay prepared as potentially freezing temperatures begin to affect the area. “We are asking our residents and visitors to protect their life and property during this cold-weather event,” Acting Emergency Management Chief Sally Sherman says. “Children and the elderly are the most sensitive to the effects of the cold temperatures and strong winds.” Officials suggest residents practice "The Five P's" of cold weather preparation as follows:
  • Protect People: Remember to dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves. It is important to try to stay out of the wind and to stay dry.
  • Protect Pets: Be sure to bring outdoor pets inside, or give them a warm shelter to stay for the duration of the cold weather.
  • Protect Plants: Cover cold sensitive plants to protect them from the dangerous temperatures.
  • Protect Pipes: Cover pipes and allow outdoor faucets to slowly drip to prevent freezing and breaking.
  • Practice Fire Safety: Use safe heating sources indoors. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release carbon monoxide, which is a deadly gas. Also, make sure to use space heaters according to their instructions and be attentive to open flames.
Flagler officials also warn residents to be aware of beach erosion, overwash on the beach side, and nuisance flooding (minor flooding at high tide) due to cold and rainy weather. Overwash was reported Wednesday morning at MalaCompra Road and at Flagler Road in Marineland Acres, where there has been a dunes breach. Flagler County Road and Bridge is working to secure the breach. Beach erosion was reported in the area of Varn Park, and nuisance flooding has been reported at Clubhouse and Ocean Palm Roads. For those in Flagler County who are in need of a cold-weather shelter, The Sheltering Tree will be open at 205 North Pine St. in Bunnell. The Sheltering Tree will provide a cot, a change of clothes, and hot meals in the morning and evening as available. The shelter does not have a shower, and once guests check in, they are not permitted to leave until morning for safety reasons. “We do everything we can to get people out of this horrible weather, but they cannot come and go,” says Sheltering Tree’s Vicky Letellier. “Anyone with questions should call. Leave a message if we don’t answer and we’ll return the call.” You can reach The Sheltering Tree at 386-437-3258 ext. 105. Photo courtesy Bachkova Natalia and Shutterstock.com Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2018.