• ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Florida, August 30, 2023, 3 p.m. – St. Johns County is announcing updates to public services in the wake of Hurricane Idalia. The St. Johns County Emergency Operations Center, including the Emergency Management Citizen Information Line, will deactivate at 6 p.m.

    Government Offices

    • All St. Johns County government offices, except for the St. Johns County Clerk of Courts Office, will resume normal operations on Thursday, Aug. 31.
      • The St. Johns County Clerk of Courts Office will resume normal operations on Friday, Sept. 1.
    • All City of St. Augustine government offices will resume normal operations on Thursday, Aug. 31.
    • All City of St. Augustine Beach government offices will resume normal operations on Thursday, Aug. 31.

    Residential Waste Collection Service

    • St. Johns County will resume normal residential waste collection services on Thursday, Aug. 31.
      • Residents originally scheduled for collection on Wednesday, Aug. 30, will receive collection service on Saturday, Sept. 2.
    • The Tillman Ridge and Stratton Road Transfer Stations will resume normal operations on Thursday, Aug. 31.
    • The City of St. Augustine will not collect yard debris on Wednesday, Aug. 30, or residential recycling on Thursday, Aug. 31, and Friday, Sept. 1.
    • The City of St. Augustine Beach will resume normal residential waste collection services on Thursday, Aug. 31.

    Public Library System

    • All St. Johns County libraries, bookmobiles, and book drops will resume normal operations on Thursday, Aug. 31.
    • Due dates will be extended to Saturday, Sept. 2, and fines will not be incurred during this time.

    Parks and Beach Services

    • All St. Johns County Parks and Recreation parks and facilities will resume normal operations on Thursday, Aug. 31. This includes the St. Johns Golf Club, St. Johns County Ocean Pier and Gift Shop, beachfront parks, and beach walkovers.
    • St. Johns County Beach Services will resume normal beach driving hours on Friday, Sept. 1, pending tidal impacts.

    Schools

    • All St. Johns County School District schools and district offices will resume normal operations on Thursday, Aug. 31.
    • This includes Extended Day Programs along with afterschool, athletic, and extracurricular activities.

    Council on Aging and Sunshine Bus Service

    • St. Johns County Council on Aging (COA) has announced that all Paratransit transportation services will be limited to life-sustaining services on Thursday, Aug. 31.
    • For more information on the Sunshine Bus Service, please visit www.sunshinebus.net/alerts-updates or call 904-209-3716 during operating hours.
    • All COA senior centers and facilities, including River House, Sunshine Center, COA headquarters, and scheduled IMEP programs, will resume normal operations on Friday, Sept. 1.
    • For more information on the COA, please visit www.coasjc.org/news or call 904-209-3700.

  •  

    August 30, 2023, 12 p.m. – St. Johns County Lifting Mandatory Evacuation Order Effective Immediately, Closing Storm Shelters at 2 p.m. – In anticipation of Tropical Storm Idalia, St. Johns County Beach Services is providing the following updates for beach driving and St. Johns County Pier operations:

    • Today, Aug. 28, all afternoon tolls are canceled and tollbooths will be removed from the beach for public safety.
    • Beach driving will be closed to the public beginning Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 12 p.m. for the duration of the storm.
    • The St. Johns County Pier will close on Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 5 p.m. for the duration of the storm. Barricades will be in place.

    Additionally, the Porpoise Point gate will close this evening at the regular time of 7:30 p.m., but it will not open tomorrow morning on Tuesday, Aug. 29, as St. Johns County Public Works staff will be placing sand in front of the gate as a protective measure against potential flooding.

    In combination with the effects of Tropical Storm Idalia, tidal levels will become increasingly elevated this week along the St. Johns County coast and within the St. Johns River basin due to the upcoming full moon on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Coastal flooding is possible around times of high tide from Tuesday night through Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center has forecasted the potential for 1-3 feet of storm surge along the St. Johns County coast. The public is strongly encouraged to exercise extreme caution and avoid ocean swimming and boating during this time. 

  •  

    August 30, 2023, 7 a.m. – St. Johns County Under Tornado Watch – The National Weather Service - Jacksonville has issued a tornado watch for all of St. Johns County in anticipation of the impacts of Hurricane Idalia. St. Johns County Emergency Management (SJCEM) is monitoring the storm and will provide updates as they are made available.

    “As Hurricane Idalia makes landfall as a Category 4, the SJCEM continues to encourage our community to remain aware and ready,” Emergency Management Deputy Director Kelly Wilson said. “This will be a significant wind event for St. Johns County.”

     

    Tornado Watch

    This is issued when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. Their size can vary depending on the weather situation. They are usually issued for a duration of 4 to 8 hours. They normally are issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather. During the watch, people should review tornado safety rules and be prepared to move to a place of safety if threatening weather approaches.

  •  

    August 29, 2023, 11:30 a.m. – St. Johns County Under Tropical Storm Warning – The National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning for all of St. Johns County in anticipation of the impacts of Hurricane Idalia. St. Johns County Emergency Management (SJCEM) is monitoring the storm and will provide updates as they are made available.

    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.

  •  

    ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Florida, August 29, 2023, 10 a.m. – St. Johns County is issuing a mandatory evacuation order effective 5 p.m. today, Aug. 29, for all persons living in low-lying, flood-prone areas, or on a boat, mobile home, recreational vehicle, camper, or similar conveyance.

    St. Johns County will also open two storm shelters to the public today, Aug. 29, at 5 p.m.

    • Solomon Calhoun Community Center
      • 1300 Duval St., St. Augustine
      • General Population and Pet Shelter
    • St. Johns County Health and Human Services Building
      • 200 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine
      • Special Medical Needs Shelter

    The Solomon Calhoun Community Center pool will close to the public at 12 p.m. to allow County staff to prepare the facility as a shelter.

    The St. Johns County Health and Human Services Building will also close to the public at 12 p.m. to allow staff to prepare the facility as a shelter.

    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

  •  

    August 28, 2023, 1:30 p.m. – St. Johns County Beach Driving Restricted Ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia – In anticipation of Tropical Storm Idalia, St. Johns County Beach Services is providing the following updates for beach driving and St. Johns County Pier operations:

     

    • Today, Aug. 28, all afternoon tolls are canceled and tollbooths will be removed from the beach for public safety.
    • Beach driving will be closed to the public beginning Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 12 p.m. for the duration of the storm.
    • The St. Johns County Pier will close on Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 5 p.m. for the duration of the storm. Barricades will be in place.

    Additionally, the Porpoise Point gate will close this evening at the regular time of 7:30 p.m., but it will not open tomorrow morning on Tuesday, Aug. 29, as St. Johns County Public Works staff will be placing sand in front of the gate as a protective measure against potential flooding.

    In combination with the effects of Tropical Storm Idalia, tidal levels will become increasingly elevated this week along the St. Johns County coast and within the St. Johns River basin due to the upcoming full moon on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Coastal flooding is possible around times of high tide from Tuesday night through Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center has forecasted the potential for 1-3 feet of storm surge along the St. Johns County coast. The public is strongly encouraged to exercise extreme caution and avoid ocean swimming and boating during this time. 

  •  

    August 28, 2023, 11 a.m. – St. Johns County Now Under Tropical Storm Watch – The National Hurricane Center issued a Tropical Storm Watch for St. Johns County today, Aug. 28, at 11 a.m. in anticipation of Tropical Storm Idalia. St. Johns County Emergency Management (SJCEM) is monitoring the storm and will provide updates as they are made available.

    A tropical storm watch means tropical storm-force weather conditions are possible within the advised area within the next 48 hours, and means tropical storm conditions in relation to wind, rain, and surf are possible within the watch area.

    SJCEM encourages the public to stay informed through these options:

    • Sign up for the Alert St. Johns emergency notification system at www.sjcemergencymanagement.com
    • Register for Nixle Alerts by texting StJohnsEOC to 888777
    • Monitor www.sjcfl.us/hurricane for all storm-related updates
    • Call the St. Johns County Emergency Management Citizen Information Line at 904-824-5550 with any storm-related questions