Governor DeSantis has declared a State of Emergency for Duval and Surrounding Counties.
Mayor Donna Deegan has declared a Local State of Emergency effective Monday, August 28 at 8AM.
Idalia is expected to strengthen and intensify as it passes over the Gulf of Mexico. It is anticipated to make landfall around the Big Bend area as a Potential Category 3 Hurricane.
There is an anticipated risk for high rip currents and the potential for substantial flooding in vulnerable neighborhoods along the St. Johns River and Atlantic Coast.
Have evacuations been ordered?
Currently, no evacuations have been ordered. Individuals who live in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding are encouraged to consider seeking shelter prior to the onset of the storm.
Evacuation zones can be viewed at http://www.coj.net/departments/fire-and-rescue/emergency-preparedness/get-prepared/evacuation-zones.aspx or on the JaxReady mobile app.
Is the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activated?
The EOC was activated Monday August 28, 2023 at 8 AM. It will remain active 24 hours a day through the duration of the storm.
What does a State of Emergency mean?
A State of Emergency Declaration allows the City to more easily allocate dollars and resources to best protect lives and property.
What should citizens do to prepare for the storm?
Stay informed and updated on storm progress via JaxReady.com, the JaxReady mobile app and local media channels. Take steps to prepare yourself and your property.
- Find your evacuation zone and your flood zone (which are NOT the same) online at maps.coj.net
- Secure anything outside that could blow into a building, window or storm system, including signs, garbage cans/lids, toys, etc.
- Pick up any litter or loose yard debris around your home and secure it in a garbage bag or container.
- Low-lying and tidally-influenced areas should expect and prepare for flood conditions.
- Gas and service your vehicles.
- Charge your cell phones and mobile devices.
- Fill jugs and lidded containers with clean Jacksonville tap water.
- Inspect and secure mobile home tie-downs.
- Listen frequently to radio, TV, or NOAA Weather Radio for status and forecasts of the storm’s progress.
- Double check your emergency supply kit.
- Review your emergency plan.
Does the City provide sandbags to prevent flooding?
Sandbags are not provided by the City. Jacksonville is a geographically diverse city, covering 840 square miles. The City’s stormwater needs and population size are different from neighboring counties. Residents who believe sandbags are a necessity should consult with their local hardware store. In addition to sandbags, the City does not provide batteries, flashlights, radios, ice, first aid kits or canned goods. These are personal preparedness items that citizens are encouraged to acquire based on their anticipated needs.
Are schools closed?
All Duval County Public Schools will close Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (August 29 – 31).
Will government offices close?
All nonessential government offices will close Tuesday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 30.
The Jacksonville Public Library will close Tuesday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 30.
Hanna Park, Huguenot Park, and the campgrounds will close Tuesday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 30. Assessments will be conducted Thursday, August 31 regarding reopening.
The Duval County Clerk of Courts offices will be closed from Tuesday, August 29 through Thursday, August 31.
Will bridges close?
All bridges are open. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) works closely with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol to monitor wind conditions at area bridges. If winds exceed specified levels, FDOT will work with law enforcement to close affected bridges. Any bridge closures will be communicated via local media channels, social media, the City website (www.COJ.net) and the JaxReady mobile app.
Will garbage and recycling collection remain on schedule?
Curbside garbage, recycling, bulk and yard waste collections will be suspended Wednesday, August 30.
Schedules will return to normal Thursday, August 31.
For those whose scheduled collection day is Wednesday, August 30, a make-up collection will take place Saturday, September 2.
What types of debris will be picked up by Solid Waste?
All standard solid waste collection rules apply with a 5 cubic yard waste limit. Any changes or exceptions to these rules as result of the storm will be communicated via local media channels, social media, the City website (www.COJ.net) and the JaxReady mobile app.
Will emergency shelters be open?
Starting Tuesday, August 29, at 12 PM the following shelters will be open for anyone who needs shelter:
- The Legends Center – (5130 Soutel Dr.), open for general population and special needs.
- Chimney Lakes Elementary – (9353 Staples Mill Dr.), open for general population and pet-friendly.
- Landmark Middle – (101 Kernan Blvd), open for general population and pet-friendly.
- Atlantic Coast High – School (9735 R.G. Skinner Pkwy), special needs only.
- LaVilla School of the Arts – (501 N. Davis St.), open for general population.
- Oceanway Elementary – (12555 Gillespie Ave.), open for general population.
This information will also be communicated via local media channels, social media, the City website (www.COJ.net) and the JaxReady mobile app. For more information, call 630-CITY (2489).
Persons with special needs should contact 630-City for more information. Please note, a caregiver should accompany special needs citizens.
How can I get to the emergency shelter?
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) will be providing service to those wishing to evacuate to public shelters. Services will begin Tuesday, August 29 at 12 PM, in conjunction with the opening of the shelters.
There are two ways to use the JTA service:
1. Take any JTA bus marked “Evacuation Shuttle” on a regular JTA bus route before the announced cut-off time.
2. Go to any one of the specially-designated public pick-up locations:
Fletcher High School
700 Seagate Avenue
Neptune Beach, FL 32266
Mayport Middle School
2600 Mayport Road
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Baldwin Middle-High School
291 Mill Street, West
Baldwin, FL 32234
Jacksonville Beach Elementary
315 South 10th Street
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
What should I bring to an emergency shelter?
The needs of individuals and families seeking shelter support will vary. BRING YOUR OWN snacks, water and bedding.
Additional suggested items include the following:
- Photo Identification and important papers
- Prescription medication
- Special dietary and baby food
- Flashlight and batteries
- Folding chair
- Personal care items such as toothpaste/toothbrush
- Change of clothing
- Cash (safely secured)
- Quiet games or reading material
Prohibited Items
- Weapons
- Alcoholic beverages
- Illegal drugs
- Reptiles and exotic animals
Special Needs Citizens
These citizens are encouraged to bring the following items:
- A caregiver should accompany special needs citizens
- Photo identification with current address
- Important papers
- All medications in original bottles
- Any required medical support equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen, dressing, feeding equipment
- Name and phone number of the physician, home health agency or hospital where you receive care
- Special dietary needs
- Water AND Snacks
- Blanket(s) and pillow(s)
- Cash – safely secured
- Personal care items such as toothpaste/toothbrush
- Change of clothing
Permitted Pets
Below is the list of animals permitted at designated pet-friendly shelters. Each family is authorized to bring up to three pets which include:
- Dogs
- Cats
- Ferrets
- Pocket pets (hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs)
- Rabbits
- Birds
NO REPTILES OR OTHER EXOTIC ANIMALS ARE ALLOWED IN SHELTERS.
All pets must have proof of vaccination and registration, be properly crated or caged and maintained by the owner. NO PETS MAY BE DROPPED OFF. although animals are kept separate from people, families must provide for their pets while at the shelter. The following supplies should be brought for each animal:
Pet Needs
Medications
Food and water Food and water dishes Plastic bags to dispose of waste Kitty Litter and pan for cats Current photo and id tags Vaccination records Pet beds, toys and grooming supplies Sturdy leashes, harnesses, muzzle(s) and pet carrier(s) Name and number of the animals’ veterinarian
What steps can citizens take to protect pets?
- Bring your pets inside. They may be outside dogs/cats, but the conditions they may see during a strong storm are beyond their normal experience. They will be frightened as exposed to extreme weather and possible flying debris. Bring them in. If they cannot be allowed loose, use a crate. Crates give them their own secure space and keep them safe. Additionally, if in some unforeseen emergency you and they need rescuing, Emergency Personnel can more easily help you with contained, safe animals.
- Do NOT set animals loose. They will not “be OK”.
- Gather information for evacuation, even if you don’t think you will have to evacuate. The easy way to do this is place copies of Vet records, shot records, ownership papers, any medication your pet needs, an extra collar and an extra leash in a gallon freezer bag. Use a permanent marker to place your name and the pet’s name on the bag. Then keep the bag near the pet so you can grab both and go if needed.
- Have three to four days of pet food on hand. We do not expect a major problem, but better you buy pet food now than have to wait in line later.
- Have a gallon of bottled water per day on hand for your pets, especially if evacuating. Sudden changes in water supply coupled with stress can upset their digestive systems. Enough said.
- Understand that at pet friendly shelters, you will be responsible for the care of your dog. Please be prepared to do so if you utilize a shelter for you and your pets.
Who do I call if my lights are out?
Power outages are likely with this storm. JEA will work to restore power when it is safe to do so. Electrical outages and service issues can be reported to JEA at (904) 665-6000, online at JEA.com, or by texting “OUT” to MyJEA (69532).
JEA is suspending disconnection due to nonpayment starting Monday, August 28 at 9 AM until further notice.
What should citizens do if they approach a malfunctioning or out-of-service traffic light?
Drivers should treat malfunctioning or out-of-service traffic lights as 4-way stops.
What should citizens do if they encounter price gouging?
Citizens should call Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Price Gouging Hotline at 1-866-966-7226. You may also report violations via the No Scam app or online at: http://myfloridalegal.com.
Will JTA continue offering services?
The St. Johns River Ferry has suspended service beginning Tuesday, August 29.
All JTA bus routes will continue along normal schedule as roadways permit.
Will the airport close?
Scheduled flights are still operating as normal. Passengers are encouraged to check flight status with their airlines for the most up to date information about their travel itineraries.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
City of Jacksonville – 904-630-CITY (2489)
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office – 904-630-0500
Florida Department of Transportation – 904-360-5457
JEA – 904-665-6000
Northeast Florida Red Cross – 904-358-8091
Jacksonville Transit Authority (JTA) – 904-630-3100
Traffic Information – 511
United Way of Northeast Florida – 211
Florida Emergency Information Hotline – 1-800-342-3557
Salvation Army – 904-356-8641
National Weather Service Jacksonville – 904-741-4311
Duval County Public Schools – 904-390-2000
Jacksonville Public Library – 904- 630-1994
OFFICIAL SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
Twitter
Mayor Donna Deegan (@MayorDeegan) – https://twitter.com/MayorDeegan
City of Jacksonville (@CityOfJax) – https://twitter.com/cityofjax
JaxReady (@JaxReady) – https://twitter.com/jaxready
Facebook – City of Jacksonville – https://www.facebook.com/CityofJax
Youtube – City of Jacksonville – https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofjacksonville
LinkedIn – City of Jacksonville – https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-jacksonville
Instagram – City of Jacksonville (@CityOfJax) – https://www.instagram.com/cityofjax/
For more information visit http://www.coj.net/departments/public-affairs/social-media.aspx.