Jacksonville, Northeast Florida prepare for Hurricane Idalia

By Michelle Vecerina

Published Aug. 29, 2023, 3:22 p.m. ET | Updated Aug. 29, 2023

Jacksonville, Fla. (Photo/12019, Pixabay)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FLV) – As Hurricane Idalia is approaching Florida, the City of Jacksonville shared updates as the city’s Emergency Operations Center continues to collaborate with local and state agencies.

A tropical storm warning is currently in effect in Northeast Florida and preparations are underway as Hurricane Idalia is expected to reach landfall as a Category 3 storm in the Florida Big Bend region by Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for Duval and surrounding counties. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan declared a local state of emergency that went into effect Monday.

According to the mayor’s office, there is an anticipated risk for high rip currents, tropical storm force winds, isolated tornadoes and the potential for flooding in low-lying neighborhoods along the St. Johns River and Atlantic Coast.

Sheriff T.K. Waters announced 60 additional officers have been placed on patrol force as the hurricane approaches. That amount will rise to 100 starting Thursday.

All Duval County Public Schools will be closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Florida State College at Jacksonville, Edward Waters University, and University of North Florida will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Jacksonville University will be closed Wednesday.

The mayor’s office encouraged citizens to stay out of the water. The strongest winds and risk of flooding will be between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, according to the mayor.

Jacksonville announced shelters will be opened beginning Tuesday for those who need it in the following places:

The Legends Center – 5130 Soutel Dr., open for general population and special needs.
Chimney Lakes Elementary – 9353 Staples Mill Dr., open for general population and pet-friendly.
Landmark Middle – 101 Kernan Blvd, open for general population and pet-friendly.
Atlantic Coast High – School 9735 R.G. Skinner Pkwy, special needs only.
LaVilla School of the Arts – 501 N. Davis St., specifically for homeless individuals.
Oceanway Elementary – 12555 Gillespie Ave., open for general population.
The mayor’s office said they are working on identifying a seventh shelter for the Baldwin Community.

Currently, no evacuations have been ordered. The city encouraged individuals who live in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding to consider seeking shelter prior to the onset of the storm. Evacuation zones can be viewed here.

Deegan’s office encouraged citizens to prepare for the storm in the following ways:

Find your evacuation zone and your flood zone, which are not the same, online at maps.coj.net
Secure anything outside that could blow into a building, window or storm system, including signs, garbage cans/lids, toys, etc.
Pick up any litter or loose yard debris around your home and secure it in a garbage bag or container.
Low-lying and tidally-influenced areas should expect and prepare for flood conditions.
Gas and service your vehicles.
Charge your cell phones and mobile devices.
Fill jugs and lidded containers with clean Jacksonville tap water.
Inspect and secure mobile home tie-downs.
Listen frequently to radio, TV, or NOAA Weather Radio for status and forecasts of the storm’s progress.
Double check your emergency supply kit.
Review your emergency plan.

For those who have pets, the city urged citizens to bring pets indoors, do not set animals loose, gather information such as copies of Vet records, shot records, ownership papers, etc. in the event of evacuation, and have three to four days of pet food on hand.

The mayor’s office provided the following important phone numbers for citizens: