JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan said Tuesday that Duval County residents should prepare for “a major wind event” on Thursday when Helene hits the area.
The National Weather Service said Duval County should expect Tropical Storm-force winds of 40 mph or more before the storm quickly moves out of the area on Friday.
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Tropical Storm Helene is expected to become a major hurricane before it hits Florida’s Big Bend region later this week.
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The storm is expected to bring increased tornadic activity Thursday into Thursday evening for Duval County. There are also expected to be power outages and isolated flooding across the Jacksonville area.
“I don’t want anyone to take this storm lightly,” Deegan said.
Duval County Public Schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday. All city of Jacksonville offices will also be closed on Thursday during the worst parts of the storm, but Deegan anticipates they will reopen on Friday.
City shelters will open at 4 p.m. on Wednesday at Atlantic Coast High School (special needs; pet friendly), Chafee Trail Elementary, Legends Center And Gymnasium, Landmark Middle School and LaVilla School of the Arts. JTA will be providing transportation to shelters.
Deegan encouraged people living in trailers, older homes, or low-lying areas to consider going to a shelter.
Deegan said one of the biggest concerns is falling trees due to the ground being saturated from weeks of rain. The storm is expected to drop between 3-6 inches of rain on the area.
According to the National Weather Service, storm surge is not expected to be a major player, especially for coastal locations.
The city will be keeping solid waste pickup on schedule on Thursday and Friday, as long as it is safe to do so, Deegan said.
Anyone with an issue is encouraged to call 904-630-CITY and visit JaxReady.com for updates.
Ahead of the Jacksonville City Council’s regular meeting Tuesday night, Deegan has called a special meeting at 3 p.m. to share updates with council members on the system, which is brewing in the Gulf of Mexico, and is expected to become Hurricane Helene, possibly a Category 3.
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Deegan will share the information she’s received on potential effects for Jacksonville and her recommendations for preparations ahead of the storm.
Following the special meeting, the regular City Council meeting will begin earlier than normal, as council members discuss Deegan’s budget proposal and two ordinances: one on Deegan’s homelessness initiative and another on funding for security in the Riverside area.