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ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – With Isaias expected to brush or skirt the Northeast Florida coastline, St. Johns County officials are taking steps to prepare for any potential impacts.
County commissioners in a special meeting Saturday morning unanimously approved a state of emergency for the county ahead of the storm.
The declaration allows the county to access resources and assistance to prepare for an emergency weather event.
St. Johns County Emergency Management is closely monitoring Isaias and participating in conference calls with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, National Hurricane Center and NWS Jacksonville.
While the projected impacts do not currently warrant an evacuation or the opening of shelters, it is recommended that St. Johns County residents and businesses take all necessary precautions and expedite the preparation of homes and structures, as necessary.
According to Emergency Management, potential local impacts include:
- Atlantic coast and St. Johns River flooding of 1-3 feet possible during times of high tide for Sunday night and Monday.
- Frequent potentially dangerous rip currents, rough surf and beach erosion.
- 2-4 inches of rainfall accumulations along the Atlantic coastline/Interstate 95 corridor.
RELATED: How will Isaias impact Jacksonville area?
Officials recommended finalizing preparations and ensuring supply kits are stocked.
On Friday, the county’s Emergency Operations Center announced it was at a partial activation.
“It basically means a skeleton crew,” said Michael Ryan, a spokesperson. “The emergency management is there, the administration is there. We’ll have a representative from the cities and St. Augustine Fire Rescue.”
In the era of COVID-19, Ryan said emergency staff are taking special measures.
“We are bringing in fewer people and doing a lot more stuff remote,” he said.
The EOC has also opened a hotline for residents to call regarding county services, storm response, and events.
Please call the St. Johns County Emergency Operations Center Hotline at 904-824-5550 for non-emergency storm-related information. The hotline will be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 1, and Sunday, Aug. 2. If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 911.
Beaches closed to swimming Sunday
Swimming at all St. Johns County beaches, including Fort Matanzas National Monument beaches, is prohibited beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2.
The storm is anticipated to produce potentially dangerous rip currents and extremely high tides. Lifeguards had to perform 12 rescues Saturday.
Swimming will remain prohibited until further notice, as indicated by double red flags posted along the beaches.
St. Augustine beachgoers were enjoying the large waves on Saturday, hours before the midnight ban of swimming at the beach.
On Sunday, the St. Johns County Sheriffs Office was out at Mickler’s Landing. A deputy told News4Jax the Sheriff’s Office’s marine rescue unit and lifeguards will be monitoring throughout the day. Beachgoers were being told they are allowed to walk and run but not swim.
“I’m not one to wander out into the water. I know they’ve said no swim. Even if it was (allowed), I wouldn’t be out there swimming right now,” said Lori Hackney, who lives in Ponte Vedra Beach.
As Isaias is projected to begin impacting St. Johns County Sunday morning, residents and visitors are encouraged to avoid the beaches until conditions improve.
Sandbags
St. Johns County provided free sandbags at six locations throughout the county. The sand and the bags were provided free of charge to residents. Residents had to provide their own transportation and shovels and were be responsible for filling their own bags.
There was a maximum allocation of 20 bags per person.
“It’s early on in the season, and what the heck, I can always use a few extra sandbags,” said St. Johns County resident Donny Hedstrom, who told News4Jax he had to evacuate in previous hurricanes. “For the past two hurricanes, I had 14 inches of water inside my house. So this is just the beginning of the season, so it’s always good to prepare.”
Sandbag distribution Sunday was be from 9 a.m. to noon.
- Windswept Acres Park - 5335 SR A1A South.
- Sims Pit - 536 S. Holmes Boulevard.
- Hastings Community Center - 6195 S. Main Street, behind the building.
- Mills Field - 1805 Race Track Road, in the overflow parking area.
- Palm Valley - Under the Palm Valley Bridge on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway.
- North Beach Park - 3721 Coastal Highway (at the walkover)
Sandbags may also be purchased from local hardware and home improvement stores.
For additional information, please call 904-824-5550.
COVID-19 testing site closed
The COVID-19 drive-thru testing site at Flagler Hospital will be closed Monday, Aug. 3, due to potential impacts from Isaias.
Flagler Hospital anticipates re-opening the site on Tuesday, weather permitting.
If Isaias stays on its current projected path, testing will remain available on Monday at the Flagler Hospital outpatient laboratories, with a doctor’s order. CareFast+ urgent care locations will also remain open.
For more information, call 904-824-5550.
Beach driving restricted
Because of the chance for extreme high tides and unpredictable ocean conditions, beach driving on all St. Johns County beaches will be restricted beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Pedestrian access to the beach will remain available at off-beach parks and beach walkovers.
Dangerous surf conditions and rip current activity are expected, officials said.
Beach visitors are encouraged to avoid ocean swimming until conditions improve.
Beach driving access will be reinstated when conditions allow.
For more information regarding Isaias, please call 904-824-5550.
Other closures
The Anastasia State Park campground is closed.
Seventh Judicial Circuit Court operations, other than first appearances, are suspended Monday.
The St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office will be closed for in-person services on Monday.
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