Idalia: Essential information for Jacksonville, Duval County

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As Idalia approaches the Jacksonville area, the City of Jacksonville has provided residents with the following information as the city works with the Emergency Operations Center to get prepared for the storm:

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Northeast Florida is anticipating tropical storm force winds, with the peak of wind speeds occurring from 9 AM – 3 PM Wednesday, August 30. There remains a risk of isolated tornadoes and downed trees, as well as a potential for localized flooding in low-lying neighborhoods along the St. Johns River and Atlantic Coast.

· A tropical storm warning is currently in effect for Northeast Florida.

· A tornado watch is in effect for Northeast Florida until 3 PM, August 30.

· The Jacksonville Transportation Authority has suspended ALL services starting Wednesday August, 30. Fixed Route, First Coast Flyer, Skyway, Express Select, ReadiRide and Paratransit services are anticipated to resume Thursday, August 31.

· Power outages should be reported to JEA either by calling (904)665-6000, visiting JEA.com, or texting “OUT” to MyJEA (69532).

· Report downed power lines to 630-CITY (2489) or call 911 if you suspect a safety issues or live wire.

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

· Now is not the time for sight-seeing. Please stay inside to keep yourself and our first responders safe.

· The following shelters remain open for anyone who needs shelter:

· 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.

§ Chaffee Trail Elementary School – (11400 Sam Caruso Way), open for general population.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – Updated Wednesday August 30, 2023 at 11 AM

Governor DeSantis has declared a State of Emergency for Duval and Surrounding Counties.

Mayor Donna Deegan has declared a Local State of Emergency effective Monday, August 28 at 8AM.

Idalia made landfall around the Big Bend area as a Category 3 Hurricane Wednesday Morning, August 30 at 7:45 AM.

Northeast Florida is anticipating tropical storm force winds, with the peak of wind speeds occurring from 9 AM – 3 PM Wednesday, August 30. There remains a risk of isolated tornadoes and downed trees as well as a potential for localized flooding in low-lying neighborhoods along the St. Johns River and Atlantic Coast.

Citizens are encouraged to stay off the beaches and not to drive or walk through standing water.

A tropical storm warning is currently in effect for Northeast Florida.

A tornado watch is in effect until 3 PM, Wednesday, August 30.

Have evacuations been ordered?

Currently, no evacuations have been ordered. Individuals who live in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding are encouraged to consider seeking shelter prior to the onset of the storm.

Evacuation zones can be viewed at http://www.coj.net/departments/fire-and-rescue/emergency-preparedness/get-prepared/evacuation-zones.aspx or on the JaxReady mobile app.

Is the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activated?

The EOC was activated Monday August 28, 2023 at 8 AM. It will remain active 24 hours a day through the duration of the storm.

What does a State of Emergency mean?  A State of Emergency Declaration allows the City to more easily allocate dollars and resources to best protect lives and property.

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, online at JEA.com, or by texting “OUT” to MyJEA (69532).

JEA is suspending disconnection due to nonpayment starting Monday, August 28 at 9 AM until further notice.

JEA Downtown Jacksonville Customer Solutions Center will be closed Wednesday, August 30, 2023. JEA publishes storm-related updates through its social media channels. You can follow them on Facebook (newsfromjea) and X/Twitter (@News From JEA) for regular updates -- before, during and after a storm.

Make sure your cell phone and email address are up-to-date on your JEA account so that you can be reached with important storm-related updates. Visit jea.com/updateinfo to review and update your contact information.

What do I do if I come across downed power lines?

Avoid all contact with power lines. Report to 630-CITY or 9-1-1 if you suspect a safety issue or live wire.

Who do I call with non-emergency concerns?

Citizens are encouraged to call 630-CITY (2489) with any non-emergency concerns, excluding power outages (which should be reported to JEA), including broken traffic lights, downed trees, questions about garbage collection, etc.

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.

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.

Are schools closed?

All Duval County Public Schools will be closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (August 29 – 31).

Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ), Edward Waters University (EWU), and University of North Florida (UNF) will be closed Tuesday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 30.

Jacksonville University will be closed Wednesday, August 30.

Will government offices close?

All nonessential government offices will be closed Tuesday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 30.

The Jacksonville Public Library will be closed Tuesday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 30.

City of Jacksonville Community Centers and Senior Centers (outside of those being used for emergency shelters) will be closed Tuesday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 30.

The Duval County Courthouse and offices will be closed from Tuesday, August 29 through Thursday, August 31.

Will parks close?

Hanna Park, Huguenot Park, and the campgrounds will be closed Tuesday, August 29 and Wednesday, August 30. Assessments will be conducted Thursday, August 31 regarding reopening.

All lifeguards will be pulled from Duval County beaches Tuesday, August 29 at 5 PM.

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.

Will garbage and recycling collection remain on schedule?  Curbside garbage, recycling, bulk and yard waste collections and household hazardous waste will be suspended Wednesday, August 30.

Schedules will return to normal Thursday, August 31.

For those whose scheduled collection day is Wednesday, August 30, a make-up collection will take place Saturday, September 2.

What types of debris will be picked up by Solid Waste?  All standard solid waste collection rules apply with a 5 cubic yard waste limit. Any changes or exceptions to these rules as result of the storm will be communicated via local media channels, social media, the City website (www.COJ.net) and the JaxReady mobile app.

Will emergency shelters be open?

The following shelters are open for anyone who needs shelter:

• 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.

§ Chaffee Trail Elementary School – (11400 Sam Caruso Way), open for general population.

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.

Will JTA continue offering services?

The St. Johns River Ferry has suspended service beginning Tuesday, August 29. The Ferry is expected to resume service over the weekend.

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority has suspended ALL services starting Wednesday August, 30.

Fixed Route, First Coast Flyer, Skyway, Express Select, ReadiRide and Paratransit services are anticipated to resume Thursday, August 31.

Will the airport close?

The airport terminal and airfield are open, but the airlines have cancelled departing flights. Passengers are encouraged to check flight status with their airlines for the most up to date information about their travel itineraries.

Will JAXPORT Close?

JAXPORT is closed through Wednesday, August 30.

The port anticipates reopening on Thursday, August 31, pending storm impacts and once federal reopening safety protocols are completed. Cruise updates are posted as they become available on JAXPORT.com.

Will ticketed events be cancelled?

Individuals are encouraged to check with the event producers to check the status of their events.

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

OFFICIAL SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

Twitter

Mayor Donna Deegan (@MayorDeegan) - https://twitter.com/MayorDeegan

City of Jacksonville (@CityOfJax) - https://twitter.com/cityofjax

JaxReady (@JaxReady) - https://twitter.com/jaxready

Facebook - City of Jacksonville - https://www.facebook.com/CityofJax

Youtube - City of Jacksonville - https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofjacksonville

LinkedIn - City of Jacksonville - https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-jacksonville

Instagram - City of Jacksonville (@CityOfJax) - https://www.instagram.com/cityofjax/

For more information visit http://www.coj.net/departments/public-affairs/social-media.aspx.

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