YULEE, Fla. – Nassau County Emergency Management officials announced Friday they are full preparation mode for staffing and resources in advance of Hurricane Irma.
County officials said on Thursday that mandatory evacuations for parts of the county would be in effect as of 6 p.m. Friday as Hurricane Irma continues to charge toward Florida.
Those living in Zones A, C and F are encouraged to begin leaving now as roadways are already becoming congested with those fleeing Hurricane Irma's path and fuel sources are becoming a challenge.
Zones A, C and F includes Amelia Island.
County officials said they expect storm surge to be the main issue along the coast, and they warned residents this could be a much worse situation than what the county saw with Hurricane Matthew.
Nassau County shelters will open at 6 p.m. Friday at:
- Hilliard Middle-Senior High School: 1 Flashes Ave, Hilliard (capacity 155)
- Hilliard Elementary School: 27568 Ohio St, Hilliard (capacity 325)
- Bryceville Elementary School: 6504 Church Ave, Bryceville (capacity 125)
- Callahan Middle School: 450121 Old Dixie Hwy, Callahan (capacity 528)
- Callahan Intermediate School: 34586 Alligator Creek Hunting Club, Callahan (capacity 325)
For those who need to find their evacuation zones, go to NassauCountyFL.com, click on the emergency management tab and the evacuation zone map will be on the front page.
All emergency services will be evacuated from Amelia Island as well.
Nassau County County Commissioners on Wednesday declared a state of emergency to continue for the next seven days as Hurricane Irma approaches and passes.
The Nassau County EOC will be moved to Level 1 Friday night and will begin 24-hour staffing.
Callahan out of fuel
The mayor reports all gas stations in the town of Callahan are out of fuel and will be closing Friday night until Tuesday, according to the Nassau County Sheriff's Office.
Schools close
All public schools and district offices in the Nassau County School District will be closed Friday through Tuesday due to the potential for severe weather associated with Hurricane Irma. All school related activities are also canceled. The Yulee High School and West Nassau High School varsity football games will be played Thursday at 7 p.m.
COUNTY-BY-COUNTY: Latest Hurricane Irma info for Jacksonville | Jacksonville's beaches | St. Johns County | Clay County | Nassau County | Flagler County | Putnam County | Inland First Coast counties | Georgia counties
Other closures, cancellations
Government offices will be closed Friday and Monday.
Due to Hurricane Irma, the Fernandina Beach Market Place farmers market will be closed this Saturday.
All Nassau County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller offices will be closed Friday and Monday. This includes the Robert M. Foster Justice Center and the Historic Courthouse. Court hearings in all courthouses have been canceled for these dates.
More updates as they become available.