JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Northeast Florida counties started preparing and offering sandbags Sunday ahead of Hurricane Milton, which is forecast to impact the area Wednesday.
RELATED | JEA monitoring Hurricane Milton, says customers should prepare for possible power and water outages
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On Saturday, DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 35 counties ahead of the storm. However, on Sunday morning, DeSantis increased the number of counties under the state of emergency to 51.
The counties under a state of emergency are: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie Sumter, Suwanee, Taylor, Union, and Volusia counties.
Below is a county-by-county list of how Northeast Florida counties are preparing, along with sandbag locations. This list will be updated as information becomes available.
Duval County & JEA
JEA said Sunday it is monitoring Hurricane Milton and urged customers to prepare for possible power and water outages later this week.
RELATED | JEA monitoring Hurricane Milton, says customers should prepare for possible power and water outages
JEA Public Information Officer Karen McAllister encouraged customers to visit jea.com/storm to ensure their contact information is up to date and to register for power restoration alerts.
Flagler County
Flagler County urged residents to prepare for the impacts of Hurricane Milton.
“On Wednesday, we expect to see Tropical Storm Force Winds - potentially Hurricane Force, coastal flooding, and inland flooding due to heavy rains,” said Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord. “We urge all of our residents to complete preparations, on Monday, as if a Category 1 Hurricane is approaching our area.”
Lord also said evacuations may be required Tuesday for those in mobile homes and RVs as well as residents living on the island and along the intracoastal waterway.
The county also shared locations where people can get sandbags.
For countywide residents:
- Hidden Trails Community Center (6108 Mahogany Blvd, Bunnell); Sunday: Noon to sunset; Monday: 10 a.m. to sunset
- Bay Drive Park (30 Bay Dr, The Hammock); Sunday: Noon to sunset; Monday: 10 a.m. to sunset
* Sandbags are limited to 10 per household. People are asked to bring a shovel as they are expected to fill their own bags.
For Flagler Beach residents:
- Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church (915 North Central Ave); Monday: Starting at 9 a.m.
- Flagler Beach Fire Station (320 S. Flagler Ave); Monday: Starting at 9 a.m.
* People are asked to bring a shovel as they are expected to fill their own bags.
For Palm Coast residents:
- Indian Trails Sports Complex (5455 Belle Terre Pkwy); Sunday: Noon to sunset, or while supplies last; Monday: Starting at 8 a.m.
* Sandbags are limited to 10 per household. People are asked to bring a shovel as they are expected to fill their own bags.
Residents are encouraged to like and follow FlaglerEOC on social media for latest updates.
Putnam County
The City of Palatka will give residents free sand and sandbags for residents ahead of the storm.
The sandbags will be available at the city’s main fire station at the south corner of St. Johns Avenue and South 11th Street starting at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7.
Officials encouraged residents to stock up on emergency supplies, secure homes and have an evacuation plan in place.
Residents are advised to check the City’s website at www.Palatka-Fl.Gov or Putnam County’s website at www.main.putnam-fl.com/.
Clay County
Clay County officials urged residents to prepare as soon as possible as flooding is a big concern due to the storm.
The county will have several sandbag locations open on Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:
- Eagle Harbor Sports Complex at 4387 Lakeshore Dr. in Fleming Island
- Green Cove Springs at 25 Roderigo Avenue Green Cove Springs
- Orange Park Sports and Recreational Park at 1086 Fromhart Street in Orange Park
- Middleburg-Clay Hill Omega Park at 4317 Co Rd 218 in Middleburg
- Across from Keystone Heights City Hall at 555 S. Lawrence Blvd in Keystone Heights
Sandbags are limited to 10 per person. Bags are first come, first serve and have a limited supply. The county will refill the sites as needed. People have to fill their own sandbags.
County officials said their disaster debris vendors will start collecting vegetative storm debris piles on Monday, Oct. 7. FCC Environmental Services will pick up bagged and containerized yard waste.
“We know there is a concern about debris piles in this storm,” the county wrote. “Crews will pick up storm debris for as long as conditions remain safe and will resume when it is safe to do so.”
Clay County’s call center will be open starting Monday. People can call at 877-252-9362 or 877-CLAYEOC.
For more information visit this website.
Nassau County
Nassau County officials urged residents to anticipate the same impact as Hurricane Irma back in 2017, with anticipated impacts including significant wind, river flooding, flooding rainfall and dangerous marine conditions.
The county said sandbags will be made available. Locations and hours will be announced Monday morning.
Officials also said the opening of a shelter is likely, and they are still working on determining the time of its opening.