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Emergency and Weather Declarations
September 23, 2024: The State of Florida has issued an Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency for counties that may be impacted by the storm and expanded it to add Duval County on September 24. September 24, 2024: Mayor Deegan declared a local state of emergency as of 12 pm on September 24. September 25, 2024: Duval is now under a Tropical Storm Warning. September 26, 2024:
  • There could be isolated storm surge of up to 3 feet along the St. Johns River. In particular, the San Marco, Downtown Riverfront, Hogan’s Creek, Southampton, Riverside, Ortega, and Ribault areas. High river levels will peak from 6-8PM this evening and 6-8AM on Friday.
  • For our Beaches community, we are also under a Coastal Flood Warning with up to 3 feet of surge. We ask you to please stay out of the dangerous waters.
  • Our tornado risk continues throughout Thursday into Thursday evening as the outer rainbands reach our area. We’re currently under a Tornado Watch, which means we should all stay alert for potential tornado warnings. If a warning is issued, go to your safe room in your home.
September 27, 2024:
  • Hurricane Helene affected Jacksonville in significant ways overnight, including widespread power outages, downed powerlines and trees across the city, and isolated flooding in the areas that we expected.
  • Citizens are encouraged to stay at home and off the roads today so that JEA can restore power, and first responders can clear roadways. Now is not the time to venture out while there are downed power lines and standing water that could be energized or of unknown depth. We urge citizens to not drive through or go near standing water.
     
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated on September 27 at 12PM
 
The Duval County Emergency Operations Center is fully activated.

Who do I call if my power is out? 

Electrical outages and service issues can be reported to JEA at (904) 665-6000 or online at JEA.com. 
 
There are a lot of trees down and widespread damage throughout our service area. Crews will be working methodically using JEA’s Restoration 1,2,3 protocol:
  1. Essential services first: JEA plants and facilities, hospitals, shelters, police and fire facilities.    
  2. Electric feeder circuits that serve about 2,500 customers.
  3. Targets the few remaining isolated outages, smaller circuits and individual service points.
Our crews are working safely and methodically. We ask our customers for patience.
 
JEA crews will be out 24 hours a day until all power is restored.  Our line workers plus an additional 54 contract crews are responding, more than 400 lineworkers in all.

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

Report to 630-CITY and avoid all contact with power lines. If you suspect a safety issue or live wire i.e. a downed power line that is on fire or sparking, please call 9-1-1 instead.

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 and report them to 630-CITY.

Are schools closed?

All Duval County Public Schools are closed today, Friday, September 27 and will reopen on Monday, September 30.

Will government offices and facilities close?

City of Jacksonville government offices and facilities are closed today, Friday, September 27.
  • Jacksonville Public Library: All Jacksonville Public Library branches will be closed on Friday, September 27, 2024. Library patrons are asked to refrain from returning items to book drops for now.
  • 630-CITY: 630-CITY will remain open until further notice.
  • Community/Senior Centers: All senior centers and community centers will be closed on Friday, September 27, except for the Legends Center, which is being used as a shelter.
  • Parks: Hanna Park is closed on Friday, September 27. Huguenot Park will reopen for day use on Friday afternoon.
  • Courts: The Duval County Courthouse and the Clerk’s Office will remain closed through Friday, September 27. 
  • State Attorney’s Office, 4th Circuit: The office is closed today and will reopen on Monday, September 30.
  • Public Defender’s Office: Offices of the Public Defender will be closed to the general public on Friday, September 27th.  This will include Duval, Clay, and Nassau Counties.  Each office will have essential personnel available to staff first appearance hearings and juvenile detention hearings. The Offices will resume normal operations on Monday, September 30th.
  • Supervisor of Elections: The office will be closed on Friday, September 27 and will reopen on Monday, September 30.
  • Property Appraiser: The Duval County Property Appraiser’s Office will be closed on Friday, September 27, and will reopen on Monday, September 30 at 7am.
  • Beaches: The City of Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach offices are open today, Friday, September 27.
  • Baldwin: City offices are closed Friday, September 27.
  • Tax Collector’s Office: All offices are closed on Friday, September 27 and will reopen on Monday, September 30.
  • Universities:
    • JU is remote on Friday, September 27.
    • UNF, EWU, and FSCJ classes are cancelled Friday, September 27.

Are emergency shelters still open?

The following shelters are open. JTA is offering free rides to the shelters.
  • Atlantic Coast High School - (9735 R. G. Skinner Parkway) open for special medical needs, pet -friendly.
  • Chaffee Trail Elementary - (11400 Sam Caruso Way) open for general population.
  • The Legends Center - (5130 Soutel Dr.), open for general population and special medical needs, and pet -friendly.
  • Landmark Middle - (101 Kernan Blvd), open for general population, pet-friendly.
  • LaVilla School of the Arts - (501 N. Davis St.), open for general population
This information will also be communicated via local media channels, social media, the City website (JaxReady.com/Helene) and the JaxReady mobile app. For more information, call 630-CITY (2489).  
 
People with special medical needs should contact 630-CITY for more information. Please note, a caregiver should accompany citizens with special medical needs. 

What should I bring to an emergency shelter? 

The needs of individuals and families seeking shelter support will vary.  BRING YOUR OWN snacks, water and bedding. 
 
Additional suggested items include the following:
  • Photo Identification and important papers 
  • Prescription medication 
  • Special dietary and baby food 
  • Flashlight and batteries 
  • Folding chair 
  • Personal care items such as toothpaste/toothbrush 
  • Change of clothing 
  • Quiet games or reading material 
 Prohibited Items 
  • Weapons 
  • Alcoholic beverages 
  • Illegal drugs 
  • Reptiles and exotic animals
Citizens with Special Medical Needs 
These citizens are encouraged to bring the following items: 
  • A caregiver should accompany citizens with special medical needs 
  • Photo identification with current address 
  • Important papers 
  • All medications in original bottles 
  • Any required medical support equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen, dressing, feeding equipment  
  • Name and phone number of the physician, home health agency or hospital where you receive care 
  • Special dietary needs 
  • Water AND Snacks 
  • Blanket(s) and pillow(s) 
  • Personal care items such as toothpaste/toothbrush 
  • Change of clothing 
Permitted Pets 
Below is the list of animals permitted at designated pet-friendly shelters. Each family is authorized to bring up to three pets which include: 
  • Dogs 
  • Cats 
  • Ferrets 
  • Pocket pets (hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs) 
  • Rabbits 
  • Birds 
NO REPTILES OR OTHER EXOTIC ANIMALS ARE ALLOWED IN SHELTERS. 
 
All pets must have proof of vaccination and registration, be properly crated or caged and maintained by the owner.  NO PETS MAY BE DROPPED OFF. 
 
Although animals are kept separate from people, families must provide for their pets while at the shelter.  The following supplies should be brought for each animal: 
 
Pet Needs 
  • Medications 
  • Food and water 
  • Food and water dishes 
  • Plastic bags to dispose of waste 
  • Kitty Litter and pan for cats 
  • Current photo and id tags 
  • Vaccination records 
  • Pet beds, toys and grooming supplies 
  • Sturdy leashes, harnesses, muzzle(s) and pet carrier(s)
  • Name and number of the animals’ veterinarian 

Will JTA continue offering services?

  • Normal service has resumed on Fixed Route and Paratransit lines, with some minor debris detours.
  • The St. Johns River Ferry will reopen on Friday, September 27, once the Coast Guard gives the green light to do so.
  • The Skyway will reopen at 1pm on Friday, September 27.
  • JTA will provide four cooling buses – one in each quadrant of the city – on Friday, September 27.
  • Please download the MyJTA app to receive notifications of any detours and service updates.
  • JTA will continue to support sheltering operations with free rides to residents being transported to the five shelters.

What do I do if I encounter standing water on the road?

  • Please do not attempt to drive through it. Turn Around, Don't Drown.

Will ticketed events be cancelled?

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

Is the Airport closed?

The airport is open, but passengers are strongly encouraged to check with their respective airlines to verify schedules before coming to the airport, as a number of flights have been delayed or cancelled.

Is JAXPORT closed?

JAXPORT remains under U.S. Coast Guard port condition ZULU (vessel movements prohibited). All terminal gates remain open and landside cargo operations continue. 
 
Cruise Updates: To stay up to date with the latest information from Carnival, sign up for text alerts by texting CCL1 to CRUISE (278473). 

Who do I contact if my property was damaged by the storm?

If your personal property has been damaged due to a storm, please take the following steps...

  1. Notify your Insurance Provider 
  2. Click here report damages to your property.
  3. Click here to monitor if FEMA assistance is available in your area.

Will garbage and recycling collection remain on schedule? 

Normal waste collection operations will proceed on Friday, September 27. Any missed homes will be picked up on Saturday, September 28. The City Landfill will also remain open.

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. Please be patient and follow this limit. It may take a few cycles to pick up all your yard waste. 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.jacksonville.gov) and the JaxReady mobile app. 
 
Citizen participation and support are needed for maximum efficiency of post-storm pick-up and recovery efforts. Please follow the Three Cs for Storm Debris, and note that it might take several visits to collect all of it and some areas:
  • COLLECT: Gather storm debris such as tree limbs, trunks, palm fronds, and bulky branches from yard. Private contractors hired by property owners for tree trimming/removal services must haul debris away, as required by City ordinance. Smaller debris, such as leaves, twigs, and pine needles, should be bagged or containerized and meet the five cubic yard limit.
  • COMPILE: Separate containerized yard waste, loose storm debris, and any construction/demolition debris (plywood, roof shingles, sheetrock, etc.). Bulk waste should follow existing size requirements and is picked up according to existing household bulky waste schedules.
  • CURB: Bagged/containerized yard waste that meets the five cubic yard limit requirement is picked up weekly as usual. Debris should be separated by type and placed at least three feet away from obstructions such as vehicles, mailboxes, fire hydrants and utilities.

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.
 
Shelter Information

The following shelters will be open for those needing refuge from the storm beginning at 4 p.m, Wednesday, September 25:

  • Atlantic Coast High School - (9735 R. G. Skinner Parkway) open for  special medical needs, pet -friendly.
  • Chaffee Trail Elementary - (11400 Sam Caruso Way) open for general population.
  • The Legends Center - (5130 Soutel Dr.), open for general population and special medical needs, and pet -friendly.
  • Landmark Middle - (101 Kernan Blvd), open for general population, pet-friendly.
  • LaVilla School of the Arts - (501 N. Davis St.)

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

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

What to bring to an evacuation shelter:

  • Air mattress, blanket, pillows, or other bedding 
  • Food, water, and medication
  • Important documents
  • Games, toys, and books
  • Additional safety, hygiene, and comfort items
  • Your emergency supply kit

Transportation to Shelters

JTA will start supporting sheltering operations starting on Wednesday, September 25, with free rides to residents being transported to the five shelters.. If an evacuation order is issued for your neighborhood and you cannot leave the area, JTA will provide free transportation to open public shelters only. During an evacuation order and depending on where you live in Jacksonville, there are two ways to use JTA services:
  1. Take any JTA bus marked“Evacuation Shuttle” on a regularJTA bus route before the announced cut off time.
  2. Go to any one of four specially-designated public pick-up locations:
  • Fletcher High School - 700 Seagate Avenue, Neptune Beach, FL 32266
  • Mayport Middle School - 2600 Mayport Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
  • Baldwin Middle-High School - 291 Mill Street, West Baldwin, FL 32234
  • Jacksonville Beach Elementary - 315 South Tenth Street, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Please see the JTA Hurricane Evacuation Guide found at this link for more information.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management has partnered with Uber to provide Floridians free rides to shelters in counties under a state of emergency for Helene. To get a ride:
  1. Open the Uber app
  2. Tap Account on the bottom right & tap Wallet
  3. Add promo code HELENERELIEF
Press Conferences
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
X Facebook Youtube - City of Jacksonville - https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofjacksonville  
 
LinkedIn - City of Jacksonville - https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-jacksonville  
 
Instagram