this is Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staley with an important update on Hurricane Ian currently the State of Florida and Flagler County are under a state of emergency as declared by Governor DeSantis in the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners I urge you to start preparing now for tropical storm or hurricane Force conditions in Flagler County that will arrive later this week as Ian approaches Florida from the Gulf of Mexico based on the current track and remember this can change it appears Flagler County will be impacted more by rain than wind but there is a small chance we could see hurricane strength Winds of category 1. we do know that we will get significant rainfall possibly as much as 12 to 15 inches of rain in some areas start getting your supplies now don't forget basic things like enough food and water for three days as well as batteries flashlights in a portable weather radio if you have a generator make sure you test it before en arrives so that it's ready to go remember to only run a generator in an open outside area if you need sandbags to protect your home you can get up to 10 bags for free at various locations throughout Flagler County inmate work Crews will assist at some of these locations by filling bags for residents to pick up other locations will be stopped by volunteers generally the sandbags will be available from 9 A.M to 5 PM or until the sand Runs Out Palm Coast locations will be open till 6 pm Flagler Beach's location will open today at 2 pm it is only open for residents of Flagler Beach and Beverly Beach if you do go out to get sandbags be prepared to fill them on your own if necessary shelters may be opened by Flagler County for flooding evacuation and possibly for a wind depending on the type of weather expected this information will be determined by Flagler County Emergency Management as soon as we have more details we will let you know your Sheriff's Office is ready and prepared to assist you no matter what Mother Nature throws at us please continue to follow the Flagler County Sheriff's Office on social media for updates and we will get through this storm together safely