Gov. Scott: "Time is up, evacuate"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  –Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that he is activating an additional 1,000 National Guard members to help with Hurricane Matthew response and recovery efforts.  There are 2,500 members now activated.  There are over 4,000 National Guard members ready to be deployed if needed.  Around 1.5 million Floridians are currently under evacuation orders.

Governor Rick Scott said, “Time is up.  You have to evacuate now if you are in an evacuation zone.  To everyone on Florida’s east coast, if you are reluctant to evacuate, just think of all the people the Hurricane has already killed.  You and your family could be among these numbers if you don’t take this seriously.

“I have activated another 1,000 members of the National Guard.  Per my direction, there are over 2,500 National Guard members who are helping with evacuations and sheltering, and are positioned to help with response as soon as the storm hits.  We are adding more troops due to the severity and magnitude of this storm.

“Based on the current forecast, the heights of storm surge will be above ground.  Waves will be crashing on roofs. Homes will be destroyed. This is deadly.  We have suspended tolls, doubled the amount of shelters and are making sure we keep the roads as clear as possible.  There is absolutely no reason not to leave.  If you chose to stay and try to ride the storm out, your life is at risk.”

CURRENT EVACUATIONS

• Brevard County: Mandatory Evacuations of Merritt Island, barrier island, low-lying areas and mobile homes.
• Broward County: Voluntary evacuations have begun for mobile homes and low lying areas.
• Clay County: Voluntary evacuations have begun.
• DeSoto County: Voluntary evacuations have begun for manufactured homes, RVs and low lying areas.
• Duval County: Voluntary evacuations have begun.
• Flagler County: Mandatory evacuations have begun.
• Indian River: Mandatory evacuations have begun for barrier islands, mobile homes, and low lying areas.
• Martin County: Voluntary evacuations have begun for barrier islands, low-lying areas, and mobile homes.
• Miami-Dade County: Voluntary evacuations have begun for mobile homes, low-lying, and unstable structures.
• Nassau County: Voluntary evacuations have begun.
• Palm Beach County: Voluntary evacuations have begun for barrier islands, mobile homes, substandard housing, flood prone areas, and those living in high rises close to the Intracoastal Waterway. Mandatory evacuations begin today.
• St. Johns County: Mandatory evacuation orders have begun.
• St. Lucie County: Voluntary evacuations have begun for barrier islands, mobile homes, and low lying areas.  Mandatory evacuations begin today.
• Volusia County: Mandatory evacuations have begun for barrier islands, low-lying areas, and mobile homes.

Floridians and visitors can go to FloridaEvacuates.com or download the Florida-Evacuates app to enter their location and see shelters available in their area.