Hurricane Ian: Essential information for Jacksonville, Duval County

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As Hurricane Ian moves past the Jacksonville area, the City of Jacksonville has provided residents with the following information as the city works with the Emergency Operations Center to deal with the aftermath of the storm:

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• Tropical Storm and Hurricane watches have been lifted in Duval County.
• Duval County remains under a Coastal Flood Warning.
• All Beaches are open. However, there is a high rip current risk and high surf advisory residents are asked to stay out of the water.
• The Jacksonville Beach Pier will reopen to the public Saturday, October 1 at 7 AM.
• All four shelters will close today, September 30.
• Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) will reopen all facilities and activities Monday, October 3.
• All government offices and facilities will return to normal operations Monday, October 3.
• Animal Care and Protective Service (2020 Forest St) will be open Friday, September 30 from 12PM to 5PM as weather permits for individuals looking for lost pets and those interested in fostering.
• Animal Code Enforcement Officers will be in the field responding to animal related emergencies while weather conditions allow. For animal emergencies, please call 630-CITY.
• The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will reopen Saturday, October 1 at 9 AM.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – Updated September 30, 2022 at 12:00 PM

Is the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activated?

The EOC will become activated starting Wednesday, September 28 at 12 PM to support damage assessments and the stand down of shelter operations.

Are we under a Tropical Storm Warning?

No. The Tropical Storm Warning has been lifted from all of Duval County.

Duval County remains under a Coastal Flood Warning.

Who do I call if my lights are out? Power outages are likely with this storm. JEA will work to restore power when it is safe to do so. Electrical outages and service issues can be reported to JEA at (904) 665-6000 or online at JEA.com.

What should citizens do if they approach a malfunctioning or out-of-service traffic light?

Drivers should treat malfunctioning or out-of-service traffic lights as 4-way stops.

Are the beaches closed?

All public beach accesses to Atlantic, Neptune, and Jacksonville Beaches are open today, Friday, September 30. However, there is a high rip current risk and high surf advisory residents are asked to stay out of the water.

The Jacksonville Beach Pier will reopen to the public Saturday, October 1 at 7 AM.

If you find a washed-back, sick, or injured sea turtle do not personally handle it. Contact Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922)

Will government offices close?

City of Jacksonville government offices and facilities will resume normal operations, Monday, October 3.

All Jacksonville Public Library branches will be closed Wednesday, September 28 through Saturday, October 1. Library patrons are asked to refrain from returning items to book drops for now. Overdue fines will be waived for items due when the library is closed.

Starting Wednesday, September 28, the 630-CITY (2489) information line will be open to the public 24 hours a day throughout the duration of the storm.

Are Animal Shelters closed?

Animal Care and Protective Service (2020 Forest St) will be open Friday, September 30 from 12PM to 5PM as weather permits for individuals looking for lost pets and those interested in fostering.

Animal Code Enforcement Officers will be in the field responding to animal related emergencies while weather conditions allow. For animal emergencies, please call 630-CITY.

Will public transit be running?

Bus Routes, First Coast Flyer, ReadiRide and Express Select services will operate on regular schedules.

Customers are encouraged to visit https://www.jtafla.com/media-center/service-alerts/ or contact Customer Service to learn of any detours before heading out.

If conditions improve, the JTA may restart transportation service earlier in the day. Please follow JTA social media channels and www.jtafla.com for updates.

Full schedules are available at schedules.jtafla.com, on board, and at the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla.

Service for the St. Johns River Ferry will return Saturday, Oct. 1 in the afternoon as weather permits. A specific time will be provided before then.

Connexion and Connexion Plus paratransit will resume life sustaining trips only starting at noon Friday, continuing through Sunday. JTA will resume service for all paratransit customers by Monday, Oct. 3.

The Skyway will return to regular service by Monday.

JTA Customer Service remains open normal business hours, 5:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Monday - Friday, and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday.

For questions or concerns, please contact our Customer Service team at (904) 630-3100.

Is the airport open?

Jacksonville International Airport will be open for operations on Friday, September 30. Some airlines will operate on reduced schedules, so it’s important to check flight status with your airline before heading to the terminal.

Are schools closed?

All DCPS Schools, offices, and afterschool activities will resume Monday, October 3.

Jacksonville University, Edward Waters University, and Florida State College of Jacksonville (FSCJ) will be closed Wednesday, September 28 through Friday, September 30.

University of North Florida (UNF) will be closed Wednesday, September 28 through Saturday, October 1.

Will garbage and recycling collection remain on schedule?

Normal Garbage, Recycling, Bulk and Yard Waste collections will resume Monday, October 3.

The City’s Trail Ridge Landfill will reopen Monday, October 3.

Is the Zoo open?

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will remain closed Friday, September 30. It will reopen Saturday, October 1 at 9 AM.

What should citizens do if they encounter price gouging?

Citizens should call Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Price Gouging Hotline at 1-866-966-7226. You may also report violations via the No Scam app or online at: http://myfloridalegal.com.

Will bridges close?

All bridges are open.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) works closely with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol to monitor wind conditions at area bridges. If winds exceed specified levels, FDOT will work with law enforcement to close affected bridges. Any bridge closures will be communicated via local media channels, social media, the City website (www.COJ.net) and the JaxReady mobile app.

Have evacuations been ordered?

Currently there are no mandatory evacuations for Duval County.

Will emergency shelters be open?

All four shelters will be closing Friday, September 30.

• The Legends Center - (5130 Soutel Dr.), open for general population and special needs.
• Landmark Middle - (101 Kernan Blvd), open for general population and pet-friendly.
• Atlantic Coast High - School (9735 R.G. Skinner Pkwy), special needs only, pet-friendly.
• LaVilla School of the Arts - (501 N. Davis St.), open specifically homeless individuals.

This information will also be communicated via local media channels, social media, the City website (www.COJ.net) and the JaxReady mobile app. For more information, call 630-CITY (2489).

Persons with special needs should contact 630-City for more information. Please note, a caregiver should accompany special needs citizens.

Does the City provide sandbags to prevent flooding? Sandbags are not provided by the City. Jacksonville is a geographically diverse city, covering 840 square miles. The City’s stormwater needs and population size are different from neighboring counties. Residents who believe sandbags are a necessity should consult with their local hardware store. In addition to sandbags, the City does not provide batteries, flashlights, radios, ice, first aid kits or canned goods. These are personal preparedness items that citizens are encouraged to acquire based on their anticipated needs.

What steps can citizens take to protect pets?

• Bring your pets inside. They may be outside dogs/cats, but the conditions they may see during a strong storm are beyond their normal experience. They will be frightened as exposed to extreme weather and possible flying debris. Bring them in. If they cannot be allowed loose, use a crate. Crates give them their own secure space and keep them safe. Additionally, if in some unforeseen emergency you and they need rescuing, Emergency Personnel can more easily help you with contained, safe animals.
• Do NOT set animals loose. They will not “be OK”.
• Gather information for evacuation, even if you don’t think you will have to evacuate. The easy way to do this is place copies of Vet records, shot records, ownership papers, any medication your pet needs, an extra collar and an extra leash in a gallon freezer bag. Use a permanent marker to place your name and the pet’s name on the bag. Then keep the bag near the pet so you can grab both and go if needed.
• Have three to four days of pet food on hand. We do not expect a major problem, but better you buy pet food now than have to wait in line later.
• Have a gallon of bottled water per day on hand for your pets, especially if evacuating. Sudden changes in water supply coupled with stress can upset their digestive systems. Enough said.
• Understand that at pet friendly shelters, you will be responsible for the care of your dog. Please be prepared to do so if you utilize a shelter for you and your pets.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS  City of Jacksonville - 904-630-CITY (2489)

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office - 904-630-0500

Florida Department of Transportation - 904-360-5457

JEA - 904-665-6000

Northeast Florida Red Cross - 904-358-8091

Jacksonville Transit Authority (JTA) - 904-630-3100

Traffic Information - 511

United Way of Northeast Florida - 211

Florida Emergency Information Hotline - 1-800-342-3557

Salvation Army - 904-356-8641

National Weather Service Jacksonville - 904-741-4311

Duval County Public Schools - 904-390-2000

Jacksonville Public Library - 904- 630-1994

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