With Hurricane Dorian heading toward Florida’s East Coast, St. Johns County Emergency Management issued mandatory evacuation orders as of 8 a.m. Monday for Evacuation Zones A and B.
Those zones include the City of St. Augustine, the City of St. Augustine Beach and those living on waterfront property or in flood-prone areas.
Evacuation was ordered also for Hastings and Flagler Estates, as well as for people living aboard boats and for those living in RVs, mobile homes and manufactured homes throughout the county.
St. Johns County will open six shelters at 8 a.m. Monday at:
• Pacetti Bay Middle School, 245 Meadowlark Lane, which can accommodate special needs
• Timberlin Creek Elementary School, 555 Pine Tree Lane, which is pet-friendly
• Southwoods Elementary, 4750 Florida 206, which is pet-friendly
• Pedro Menendez High School, 600 Florida 206 W., for the general population
• Bartram Trail High School, 7399 Longleaf Pine Parkway, general population
• Osceola Elementary, 1605 Osceola Elementary Road, general population
Residents must bring supplies “to maintain personal comfort and sustenance,” says the announcement.
The county recommends evacuees bring bedding, pillows, sheets and blankets along with a five-day supply of water, nonperishable food, medication, diapers and other personal items such as extra clothing; flashlights and batteries and a manual can opener; and important identification and other papers.
The county will open additional shelters as needed.
To minimize traffic congestion, the county said that people who intend to evacuate but not use a St. Johns County shelter should leave as soon as possible before the 8 a.m. evacuation order.
The St. Johns County School District said schools will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday and decisions to resume operations will be made as it monitors the storm.
For information, visit sjcemergencymanagement.org or call (904) 824-5550.