JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As temperatures drop and winter weather looms, North Florida communities are gearing up for what could be a historic event. Emergency management teams across the state are already making preparations, holding conference calls and mapping out responses to the freezing rain, ice, and even snow that could be on the way.
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Unusual weather for Florida
Florida residents are no strangers to hurricanes and tropical storms, but wintry weather is a rarity. Emergency officials say their approach remains the same: planning for the worst.
“We’ve been communicating and meeting with all our stakeholders,” said Percy Golden, deputy chief of emergency preparedness for Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. “The process doesn’t change. The players may change, but the planning process doesn’t.”
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Golden noted that Jacksonville’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is using its hurricane-season communication methods to prepare for icy roads, bridge closures, and other winter hazards.
If temperatures drop below freezing on Sunday night, Jacksonville plans to open its warming center. Emergency officials are also working with the Florida Highway Patrol to monitor bridges, which could be closed if conditions become unsafe.
Decisions about school closures will rest with Duval County Superintendent Christopher Bernier, officials said.
Other counties prepare
In neighboring St. Johns County, emergency management leaders are also preparing. Kelly Wilson, deputy director of emergency management, said the EOC could activate if needed, although the effects are expected to be short-lived.
“The good news is, if winter weather does come, it’s likely to last just a day,” Wilson said. “We’ll stay in close contact with our partners and make decisions as necessary.”
Officials in Georgia are facing unique challenges, particularly in Ware County, where unpaved roads could become hazardous. Local leaders are expected to make decisions about school closures closer to the weekend or on Monday, which is a holiday.
Emergency officials in Nassau County are discussing whether to increase law enforcement staffing to handle potential weather-related crashes. With Monday marking Martin Luther King Jr. Day, officials are urging residents to prepare now and stay informed as the situation develops.