In preparation for Hurricane Milton, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly issued a clear directive: sex offenders in his jurisdiction were banned from public storm shelters and instructed to seek refuge at the county jail instead. Staly explained that all shelter occupants would undergo checks to ensure they were neither fugitives nor on the sex offender registry. “We will accommodate you in the lobby of that [jail] building. You’ve probably seen it before,” Staly remarked, emphasizing the strict stance.
In contrast, nearby Marion County took a different approach by establishing a separate, dedicated shelter for registered sex offenders needing to evacuate. The varying policies highlight differing county strategies for handling shelter access during emergencies, balancing public safety with the needs of those displaced by the storm.
