With Tropical Storm Nicole approaching Florida, Volusia County Schools has shut its doors for two days, Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 9-10. Students get an extra-long weekend, as Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, was already scheduled as a holiday for students.
Nicole is expected to strengthen to at least a Category 1 hurricane by the time the storm makes landfall on Florida’s east coast early Thursday, Nov. 10. As of Nov. 8, the storm’s outer bands are already beginning to impact Volusia County, and a hurricane warning has been issued from the Volusia/Flagler County line south to Boca Raton.
In anticipation of heavy wind and rain, Volusia County Schools will transform a number of its schools into shelters. Hinson Middle School, 1860 N. Clyde Morris Blvd. in Daytona Beach and Heritage Middle School, 1001 Parnell Court in Deltona will open for special needs and medically fragile populations, while Creekside Middle School, 6801 Airport Road in Port Orange and University High School, 1000 W. Rhode Island Ave. in Orange City will be open to the general public.
According to Volusia County Schools, the two missed days of school will be made up for throughout the rest of the year.
In addition to schools closing, Volusia County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents and businesses:Â
— ​​East of the Intracoastal Waterway
— All manufactured and mobile home-dwellers east of Interstate 95
— All low-lying areas and other areas prone to flooding
— All campsites and RV recreational parks
