ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – With Hurricane Milton’s track expected to impact much of Florida, preparations are underway across our area.
Milton is now a major hurricane and will make landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast around mid-week. Coastal flooding and heavy rains are a possibility.
Watch the full Monday 4 p.m. update below.
St. Johns County issued a local state of emergency, effective 8 a.m. Monday, in advance of potential storm conditions due to Milton. This mirrors the declaration of a state of emergency issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
A declaration of a state of emergency aids in the response, recovery, and operations necessary to cope with the emergency.
The St. Johns County Emergency Management Citizen Information Hotline (904-824-5550) is now open to help answer the public’s questions about Helene.
While wind was the biggest issue for our area during Hurricane Helene, flooding is one of the major concerns ahead of Milton.
So St. Johns County will be handing out free sandbags on Monday and Tuesday to help residents prepare.
Residents can pick up sandbags from 12 to 5 p.m. on Monday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, as long as weather permits and supplies last 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
In coordination, the City of St. Augustine will provide free sandbags from 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, as long as weather permits and supplies last at the following location:
- Francis Field – 25 W. Castillo Dr, St. Augustine
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.
Schools
All St. Johns County Schools and offices will be closed Oct. 9, 10, and 11. All extracurricular activities, athletic events and extended day programs are canceled.
Visit the SJCSD website for more information.
Evacuations
No evacuation orders have been issued for any Northeast Florida counties yet, but the county is urging everyone to know their evacuation zone in case those orders do come this week.
On the St. Johns County Emergency Management page, you can find your address. When you select a location, it will tell you what evacuation zone you are in. If an order comes out, it will specify which zones need to leave.
There will be another press conference on Tuesday at noon to give updates on evacuations, shelters and closure.
County residential solid waste collection
FCC Environmental will deploy additional personnel and equipment, including external contractors using grapple trucks to facilitate yard waste collection. County Road and Bridge crews will also assist in the collection efforts to improve efficiency. Household garbage collection will remain on its regular schedule.
To facilitate the resources dedicated to enhanced yard waste and household garbage collection, recycling collection will be suspended from Tuesday, Oct. 8, through Friday, Oct. 11. Recycling collection is expected to resume on Monday, Oct. 14, following the storm.
Residents are encouraged to drop off yard waste at the County’s Tillman Ridge or Stratton Road Transfer Stations at no charge. Both facilities will remain open during normal operating hours: Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Tillman Ridge Transfer Station
- 3005 Allen Nease Road, Elkton
- Stratton Road Transfer Station
- 250 N. Stratton Road, St. Augustine
More info
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 www.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.
Officials are asking residents to prepare now and stock up on whatever food and water they may need, fill up on gas, get cash, batteries and flashlights in case the power goes out and start charging up their devices.
The county is also asking residents to clean items in their yards that could become projectiles due to high winds and rain. This includes patio furniture, decorations and plants.
City of St. Augustine
In preparation for the impact of Hurricane Milton, the City of St. Augustine is urging residents to prepare for potential flooding that is forecast to be between 3 to 5 feet above ground level in low-lying areas as early as Wednesday afternoon.
With tropical storm force winds and possible hurricane force gusts, residents can also expect power outages, tree damage, and structure damage.
Sandbags
- Free sand and bags will be available at Francis Field on Monday, October 7 and operations will remain open until 5 p.m., weather permitting and while supplies last. Sandbag operations will resume on Tuesday at 8 a.m. and will remain open until 5 p.m., weather permitting or until the supply is depleted.
- The sand and the bags are free of charge and there is a limit of 20 bags per person. Members of the public must provide their own transportation and shovels and are responsible for filling their own bags. Vehicles should enter Francis Field from the west off Riberia St. and follow directions.
Parking Garage and Downtown Parking
- The Historic Downtown Parking Facility will be open and free of charge starting at 7 a.m. Tuesday, for those living in low-lying, flood-prone areas who are seeking higher ground for their vehicles.
- Vehicles should be parked in clearly marked parking spaces. Do not block driving aisles or park in unmarked areas. Residents should plan to retrieve their vehicles once the storm passes and as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Downtown, city-operated pay stations will no longer charge for parking for the duration of the storm, starting on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Solid Waste, Recycling, and Debris Pickup
- Solid Waste will maintain routine commercial and residential operations and collection schedules on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, Solid Waste will not operate collection services of any kind.
- Residents are reminded to secure any loose containers and bins, outdoor furniture, potted plants, grills, to avoid causing projectile damage that may result from high winds.
- Any additional changes to Solid Waste collection services and schedules will be determined following the storm.
After the Storm
- Residents impacted with yard debris, structural damage, or flooding are reminded to separate all storm debris curbside. Household goods, brush/yard debris, and construction debris must be piled separately to be collected.
Information
- Contact the St. Johns County Emergency Management Citizen Information Line at 904.824.5550.
- City of St Augustine residents can follow www.CityStAug.com for additional city-specific updates.
- For media inquiries, contact Melissa Wissel, Communications Director, at 904.293.3307.
Closures
St. Johns County Council on Aging (COA) has announced that all COA senior centers and facilities, including River House, COA administrative offices, and COA transportation headquarters, will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday due to expected hurricane storm conditions.
Sunshine Bus and Paratransit transportation services will also be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.