2 buildings in New Smyrna Beach deemed unsafe, evacuated ahead of Hurricane Nicole
Two residential buildings along the beach in New Smyrna Beach have been declared unsafe and evacuated before Hurricane Nicole made landfall in Florida, according to the city. The concern has to do with the ocean swell coming within 10 feet of the buildings.
Police began evacuated people early Wednesday evening and, according to the city, most people were evacuated. It is unclear how many people, if any, refused to evacuate.
Over in Daytona Beach Shores, more than a dozen buildings were evacuated – some right alongside the beach – over fears they could collapse as storm surge continued to erode the beach and seawall. Deputies said 12 structures were at risk of collapsing after Hurricane Ian – which made landfall as a category 4 hurricane in September – left many buildings vulnerable.
"Sadly, it's not a matter of if something is going to collapse, it's when," said Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood. "This is really bad, that's why we had a curfew and a mandatory evacuation."
Volusia County Sheriff: 'It's not a matter of if something is going to collapse, it's when'
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said he and his deputies are evacuating people who live in condos along the beach because of concerns that the buildings will collapse when the worst of Tropical Storm Nicole hits Florida.
Hurricane Nicole made landfall in Florida at 3 a.m. on Thursday south of Vero Beach. Nicole weakened to a tropical storm about an hour later.