ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Officials in St. Johns County are urging residents to take immediate action to prepare for possible tropical storm conditions as a system brewing near the Gulf of Mexico is expected to rapidly intensify before striking the Florida Panhandle later this week.
Residents are encouraged to get storm ready by knowing their evacuation zone, making a plan, and preparing a disaster kit using the St. Johns County Emergency Management Hurricane Preparedness Guide. The guide is available at SJCEmergencyManagement.com and at any St. Johns County Public Library branch.
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Government Offices
- All St. Johns County government offices will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26.
- This includes all departments of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, the Supervisor of Elections’ Office, the Property Appraiser’s Office, the Tax Collector’s Office, and the Clerk of Courts and County Comptroller’s Office
- Please note that to accommodate the special medical needs shelter, the Health and Human Services Building will be closed beginning at 1 p.m. today and will remain closed on Friday, Sept. 27. This closure includes County Social Services and the Housing and Community Services Department. These specific offices will reopen on Monday, Sept. 30, at 8 a.m.
- All City of St. Augustine government offices will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26.
- All City of St. Augustine Beach government offices will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26.
Residential Waste Collection Service
- St. Johns County will maintain normal operations with household garbage, recycling, and yard debris collection on Thursday, Sept. 26, and Friday, Sept. 27.
- The Tillman Ridge and Stratton Road Transfer Stations will maintain normal business hours on Thursday, Sept. 26, and Friday, Sept. 27.
- The City of St. Augustine will maintain normal operations with household garbage, recycling, and yard debris collection on Thursday, Sept. 26, and Friday, Sept. 27.
- The City of St. Augustine Beach will maintain normal operations with household garbage, recycling, and yard debris collection on Thursday, Sept. 26, and Friday, Sept. 27.
Public Library System
- All St. Johns County libraries, bookmobiles, and book drops will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26.
- Additionally, all offsite programs scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 26, have also been canceled.
- The bookmobile stop at the World Golf Village Convention Center (500 S. Legacy Trail, St. Augustine) that is normally scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays will be canceled as well.
- Due dates will be extended and fines will not be incurred until Monday, Sept. 30.
Parks and Beach Services
- Community Centers
- Solomon Calhoun Community Center will be closed to the public as of 1 p.m. today, Wednesday, Sept. 25, through Thursday, Sept. 26. Further information about reopening will be distributed as it is provided.
- The remaining community centers will be closed Thursday, Sept. 26, and will reopen for regularly scheduled programming on Friday, Sept. 27.
- Solomon Calhoun Pool
- The pool will be closed to the public as of the close of business today, Wednesday, Sept. 25, through Thursday, Sept. 26. Further information about reopening will be distributed as it is provided.
- Programming
- All programming is canceled for Thursday, Sept. 26, and will resume Friday, Sept. 27.
- The St. Johns County Family Color Run 5K scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28, at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds has been postponed to Saturday, Nov. 16.
- St. Johns County Pier and Gift Shop
- St. Johns County Pier will close to the public today at 5 p.m. The Gift Shop will remain open today for regular business hours. The Pier and Gift Shop will be closed Thursday, Sept. 26, and will reopen on Friday, Sept. 27. The Pier will reopen once inspected.
- St. Johns Golf Club
- St. Johns Golf Club will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26, and will reopen Friday, Sept. 27.
- Beach Driving
- Beach driving will close at 4 p.m. today and reopen on Friday, Sept. 27, pending tides and impacts to the beach.
- Parks and Athletic Fields
- All permitted and non-permitted events are canceled for Thursday, Sept. 26. Fields and parks will reopen after inspections on Friday, Sept. 27.
Schools
- All St. Johns County School District schools and district offices will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26.
- Scheduled afterschool, athletic, and extracurricular activities will be canceled Thursday, Sept. 26.
- The St. Johns County School District is monitoring the storm and will make further announcements regarding additional closures at www.stjohns.k12.fl.us.
Council on Aging and Sunshine Bus Service
- St. Johns County Council on Aging (COA) has announced that all COA senior centers and facilities, including River House, COA administrative offices, and COA’s transportation headquarters, will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26.
- Sunshine Bus and Paratransit transportation services will also be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26.
- For more information and for updates, please visit www.coasjc.org/news, or call 904-209-3700.
- For information and updates on Sunshine Bus and Paratransit transportation services, please visit https://sunshinebus.net/alerts-updates or call 904-209-3716 during operating hours.
Now is an excellent time to ensure your Disaster Supply Kit is fully stocked. Key items to include are:
- Food and water for your family and pets
- First Aid supplies: medicine and prescriptions
- Emergency equipment: radio, batteries, phone chargers, and flashlights
- Cash and important documents
For a complete list of supplies needed for your Disaster Supply Kit, visit SJCEmergencyManagement.com.
When preparing for storms, it’s essential to include pets in your plans. If ordered to evacuate, don’t leave your pets behind. If it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for them. Ensure your pet’s kit includes:
- Food and water
- Medication
- Vaccination records
- Collars with identification
- Leashes and carriers if evacuating
For more information, visit SJCEmergencyManagement.com.
Additionally, every household should have a disaster plan that addresses the unique needs of all family members, including children, pets, and seniors. Engage everyone in the planning process to ensure they know what to do in an emergency. For additional guidance on creating your plan, visit FloridaDisaster.org/PlanPrepare.
Residents should also confirm their evacuation zones. Use the St. Johns County My Evacuation Zone tool by entering your address to determine your zone: https://tinyurl.com/2vpw8ps8.
St. Johns County Emergency Management encourages the public to stay informed through these options:
- Follow St. Johns County Emergency Management on Facebook (facebook.com/StJohnsEOC) and X/Twitter (x.com/StJohnsEOC).
- Sign up for the Alert St. Johns emergency notification system at SJCEmergencyManagement.com.
- Ensure the notification settings selected allow you to be alerted at all times for your safety.
- Register for Nixle Alerts by texting StJohnsEOC to 888777.
Free sandbags
St. Johns County will provide free sandbags from 12-5 p.m. Tuesday and from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, as long as weather permits at the following six locations:
- Windswept Acres Park – 5335 SR A1A South, St. Augustine
- Solomon Calhoun Center – 1300 Duval Street, St. Augustine
- St. Johns County Equestrian Center – 8200 Smith Road, Hastings
- Mills Field – 1805 Racetrack Road, St. Augustine
- North Beach Park – 3721 Coastal Highway, Vilano Beach
- Palm Valley Bridge – East Side of Intracoastal Waterway
The sand and bags will be provided free of charge. The public must provide their own transportation and shovels and will be responsible for filling their own bags.
There is a maximum allocation of 20 bags per person. A sandbag typically weighs about 30 to 40 pounds.
St. Augustine updates
All yard debris collection remains on schedule for Wednesday, Sept. 25, and all recycling collection remains on schedule for Friday, Sept. 27.
The city of St. Augustine administrative offices and operations facilities will be closed to the public on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, and will reopen for regularly scheduled business hours on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.
Due to the approaching severe weather, St. Augustine announced that the 2024 Concerts in the Plaza season finale performance of ZAZA Flamenca has been canceled.
The Historic Downtown Parking Facility will not charge for parking, and fees for city-managed parking lots and spaces will not be collected, starting Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 9:00 p.m. through Friday, Sept. 27, at 7 a.m.
Additionally, the city of St. Augustine is postponing the Sept. 26, SMART St. Augustine Public Open House. The Open House has been rescheduled for Oct. 22.
Shelters
St. Johns County is opening two storm shelters to the public at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, at the following locations ahead of potential impacts from Helene.
- Solomon Calhoun Community Center – General Population and Pet Friendly Shelter
- 1300 Duval St., St. Augustine
- St. Johns County Health and Human Services Building – Special Medical Needs Shelter
- 200 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine
Please note that to accommodate the special medical needs shelter, the Health and Human Services Building will be closed beginning at 1 p.m. today and will remain closed on Friday, Sept. 27.
This closure includes County Social Services and the Housing and Community Services Department. Offices will reopen on Monday, Sept. 30, at 8 a.m.
While shelters provide safety throughout the storm, residents must bring supplies to maintain personal comfort. 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
The St. Johns County Emergency Management Citizen Information Hotline (904-824-5550) is now open to help answer the public’s questions about Helene. The Citizen Information Hotline will remain open until 5 p.m. today and reopen at 8 a.m. tomorrow.
