• November 9, 2022

     

    St. Johns County Announces Updates to Services in Response to Nicole

    Ahead of Tropical Storm Nicole, St. Johns County is announcing updates to services for residents.

    GOVERNMENT OFFICES

    With the exception of emergency service employees responding to Tropical Storm Nicole, all offices and departments of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners will close Wednesday, Nov. 9, starting at noon and Thursday, Nov. 10. Government offices are closed Friday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. The same closures also apply to the government offices of the City of St. Augustine. The St. Augustine Municipal Marina is currently closed and will reopen once weather conditions allow. City of St. Augustine Beach government offices will remain open Wednesday and close Thursday, Nov. 10, and Friday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

    PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM

    All St. Johns County libraries, bookmobiles, and book drops will close Wednesday, Nov. 9, at noon and Thursday, Nov. 10. Libraries are closed Friday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Operational decisions beyond Friday will be determined based on weather conditions. Due dates will be extended and fines will not be incurred during the closure.

    PARKS AND BEACH SERVICES

    All St. Johns County Parks & Recreation parks and facilities will close Wednesday, Nov. 9, at noon and Thursday, Nov. 10, until the duration of the weather event. This includes but is not limited to athletic playing fields, passive parks, boat ramps, playgrounds, fishing piers, and the St. Johns County Golf Course. Beachfront parks and walkovers will also be closed during this time. Parks and facilities will reopen when safety inspections have been completed and weather conditions allow. Beach driving on all St. Johns County beaches is currently restricted.

    SCHOOLS

    St. Johns County Schools and district offices will remain open on Wednesday with regular early dismissal. Extended day services will operate as usual. There will be no afterschool activities, events, or athletics. Schools and district offices will close on Thursday, Nov. 10, and Friday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

    SUNSHINE BUS SERVICE

    St. Johns County Council on Aging Sunshine Bus service will be suspended Thursday, Nov. 10, for the duration of the weather event. For Sunshine Bus updates, please visit www.sunshinebus.net or call customer service at 904-209-3716.

    Please call the St. Johns County Emergency Management Citizen Information Line at 904.824.5550 or visit www.sjcfl.us/hurricane for more information.

    November 8, 2022

     

    St. Johns County Issues Voluntary Evacuation for Coastal Areas
    Two shelters to open Wednesday at 1 p.m.

    In anticipation of the effects from Tropical Storm Nicole, St. Johns County has issued a voluntary evacuation effective at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, for coastal St. Johns County, which includes the entire City of St. Augustine, the City of St. Augustine Beach, and those living on waterfront property or flood-prone areas. This voluntary evacuation order will remain in place for the duration of the storm event. For evacuation information, including route maps and evacuation zones, please visit www.sjcfl.us/hurricane.

    Residents living aboard boats and those living in RVs, mobile homes, and manufactured homes throughout St. Johns County are also advised to evacuate. Residents who would like to evacuate and are not utilizing a St. Johns County shelter should begin evacuating as soon as possible to avoid traffic congestion.

    St. Johns County will open two shelters starting at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9. The County is prepared to open additional shelters as needed. The following shelters will be open to the public: 

    • Health and Human Services Department (Special Medical Needs)
      • 200 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine
    • Solomon Calhoun Community Center (General Population and Pet-Friendly)
      • 1300 Duval Street, St. Augustine

    While shelters provide safety throughout the storm, residents must bring supplies to maintain personal comfort and sustenance. St. Johns County recommends that all evacuees bring their own bedding, including sleeping bags or air mattresses, pillows, sheets, and blankets. A five-day supply of water, non-perishable food, medication, diapers, and other personal items are also suggested. Please refer to the list below for additional supply suggestions.

    • At least a five-day supply of medications, insulin, and a cooler if you are diabetic 
    • Personal grooming and hygiene items, feminine supplies 
    • Extra clothing, eyeglasses 
    • Books, magazines, cards, games, etc. 
    • Pillows, blankets, sheets, lawn chair/chaise lounge 
    • Flashlight and extra batteries, manual can opener 
    • Personal identification/important papers

    Additionally, all St. Johns County government offices and facilities, including parks and libraries, will close at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 9.

    For additional information, please call the St. Johns County Emergency Management Citizen Information Line at 904.824.5550.

    Storm Surge and Tropical Storm Warnings in effect for St. Johns County
    Coastal St. Johns County also under Hurricane Watch

    The National Hurricane Center issued storm surge and tropical storm warnings for St. Johns County’s beaches, Intracoastal waterway, and the St. Johns River.

    In addition, the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch for coastal St. Johns County in anticipation of Nicole. A hurricane watch is issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds which means hurricane conditions in relation to wind, rain, and surf are possible within the watch area.

    Storm Surge Warning

    A storm surge warning indicates there is a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline somewhere within the specified area, generally within 36 hours.

    Tropical Storm Warning

    A tropical storm warning is an announcement that sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are expected somewhere within the specified area within 36 hours in association with a tropical, subtropical, or post-tropical cyclone.

    For more information regarding Nicole, visit www.sjcfl.us/hurricane.

    St. Johns County Provides Free Sandbags to Residents in Preparation for Nicole

    St. Johns County is providing free sandbags starting at 10 a.m. on Nov. 8, 2022, at three locations throughout the County in preparation for Nicole. The sand and the bags provided are free of charge. Residents must provide their transportation and shovels and are responsible for filling their bags. There is a maximum allocation of 20 bags per person. The sand and bags are available between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, and beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, until weather permits.

    • Windswept Acres Park - 5335 SR A1A South
    • North Beach Park - 3721 Coastal Highway
    • Palm Valley - Underneath the Palm Valley Bridge on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway

    For additional information, visit www.sjcfl.us/hurricane.

    November 7, 2022

    FEMA Temporarily Closing Disaster Recovery Center in St. Johns County Ahead of Nicole

    FEMA will temporarily close the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in St. Johns County, located at the Wind Mitigation Building, 3111 Agricultural Center Drive, from Wednesday, Nov. 9, through Friday, Nov. 11. The DRC will be inspected on Saturday, Nov. 12, and reopen once it is determined safe.

    For more information, visit www.sjcfl.us/hurricane.