With Tropical Storm Idalia expected to make landfall in Florida as a hurricane the morning of Aug. 30, state and local governments have declared states of emergency.
There is anticipated risk for high winds, inches of rain, rip currents and the potential for substantial flooding in vulnerable neighborhoods along the St. Johns River and Atlantic Coast.
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued his order early Aug. 28 for 46 counties, including Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns in Northeast Florida.
The executive order states that the Florida Division of Emergency Management, working with the National Hurricane Center to evaluate weather predictions, has determined that there is a continuing risk of dangerous storm surge, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, strong winds, hazardous seas and isolated tornadic activity for the Florida Peninsula and portions of the Florida Big Bend.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan announced at a noon Aug. 28 news conference at the city Emergency Operations Center that she declared a local state of emergency.
Closings
• All city offices will be closed to nonessential personnel Aug. 29 and Aug. 30.
• All Duval County Public Schools will be closed Aug. 29-31.
• Fourth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Lance Day is ordering courthouses in Clay, Duval and Nassau counties closed and court business postponed Aug. 29-31.
• The Duval Clerk's Office will be closed Aug. 29-31.
• Curbside garbage, recycling and yard waste collection will be suspended Aug. 30 and rescheduled for Sept. 2.
• The community conversation hosted by Deegan and City Council member Tyrona Clark-Murray scheduled Aug. 29 at Lane Wiley Senior Center is canceled and will be rescheduled.
• The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is suspending bus service Aug. 30. That includes the Skyway, Paratransit, ReadiRide and Express Select. It will also close its administrative offices.
• The St. Johns River Ferry will be suspended beginning Aug. 29.
• JaxPort’s cargo gates will close to inbound trucks at 3 p.m. Aug. 29 and all outbound trucks must depart by 5 p.m. Aug 29.
• Jacksonville University will be closed Aug. 30. Classes will be online Aug. 29 and 31.
Shelters
As of noon Aug. 28, no evacuations were ordered. However, shelters will open at noon Aug. 29 at:
• The Legends Center (5130 Soutel Drive), open for the general public.
• Chimney Lakes Elementary (9353 Staples Mill Drive), open for the general public and pet-friendly.
• Landmark Middle School (101 Kernan Blvd.), open for the general public and pet-friendly.
• Atlantic Coast High School (9735 R.G. Skinner Parkway), special needs only.
• Oceanway Elementary (12555 Gillespie Ave.), open for the general public.
• LaVilla School of the Arts (501 N. Davis St.), open specifically for homeless people.
The bridges
The Florida Department of Transportation works with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol to monitor wind conditions at area bridges. If sustained 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.
This story will be updated with additional information