JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With nine bridges to think about in the Jacksonville area, there’s no doubt someone is always crossing over one of our many waterways.
During a tropical event, the questions and assumptions about them closing are non-stop.
Here’s what you should know.
The standard is to close bridges if sustained winds hit 40 mph or above for one consecutive minute or more.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan addressed bridge closures during a Thursday news conference.
“As far as our bridges are concerned, the Florida Department of Transportation works closely with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol to monitor the wind conditions on the bridge. Bridges will remain open until weather conditions make that bridge unsafe for travel. At that point, FDOT will work with law enforcement to make sure that the closures are communicated via media channels and social media, and JaxReady, as you’ve seen in the past,” Deegan said. “They’ll be shut down, they’ll be opened up. They’ll be shut down, they’ll be opened up. That’s generally how it’s going to work. So you’re going to have to just be patient with that process when the winds pick up.”
Deegan’s statement didn’t address gusts.
Beginning at 3 p.m. Thursday, gusts in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia will range between 25-45 mph, while sustained winds are forecasted for 15-25 mph with higher gusts.
But there is always potential for wind-speed changes as the storm evolves.
Wind from Helene did shut down the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in St. Peterburg on Thursday afternoon after winds reached 60 mph, WTSP reported.