Volusia County expects large crowds, rip currents for Easter weekend

Ormond Beach Observer
News

from: Volusia County Community Information

Volusia County's Beach Safety Division is expecting big crowds for the upcoming Easter weekend. With hazardous rip currents and morning high tides expected, beachgoers are encouraged to arrive early and swim in front of a staffed lifeguard tower.

Vehicle access ramps

The beach approaches at Dunlawton Boulevard, Beachway Avenue, Flagler Avenue, and 3rd Avenue will offer pop-up tents for beach pass sales in anticipation of the busy weekend.
Beach annual pass holders in New Smyrna Beach are encouraged to use the Pass Holders Express ramp at Crawford Road, just north of the Flagler Avenue ramp.
With the 27th Avenue beach ramp in New Smyrna Beach under construction, a great alternative is approximately 1½ miles north, at 3rd Avenue. The 27th Avenue Beachfront Park, however, remains open.
For beach maps, visit www.volusia.org/beachdriving.

Parking and driving on the beach

Visitors should be patient, as morning high tides may delay ramp openings.
All vehicles must drive and park on the east side of the conservation poles.
Vehicles should only take one spot.
Beachgoers should never sit, lie or camp in between vehicles in the parking areas.
Parents with small children may want to opt for one of the county's traffic-free zones.

Beach litter

Beachgoers should leave only footprints and remove all items they bring to the beach. Items left on the beach create obstacles and hazards for emergency workers, pedestrians and wildlife. Trash and recycle cans are placed at regular intervals along the beach, and roving carts will be canvassing the beach to assist with the collection of garbage. Environmentally friendly bags are available upon request at toll booths and from the beach litter team. #KeepVolusiaBeautiful

The best way to stay up to date with everything beach related is to download the Volusia Beaches app, available for free on the Google Play and iTunes App stores. The app provides real-time updates on the status of beach ramps and staffed lifeguard towers, as well as beach conditions, off-beach parking and more.

For more information, follow Volusia County Beaches on Facebook and Twitter or visit www.volusia.org/beach.