Storm Updates:
Hurricane Matthew continues to approach the First Coast area. It remains a storm with catastrophic and life-threatening impact. Wave actions and swells will continue along the coast even after the storm has passed.

• The city of Jacksonville remains under a Hurricane Warning which means location is within 24 hours of impact.
• The area is also under a flood watch through Saturday.
• Expected rainfall is 4 – 10 inches.
• Hurricane force winds are expected to be 90 – 115mph.
• Storm surges are expected to reach 3 – 12 feet.
• The category 4 storm is expected to approach First Coast Friday morning.
• The St. Johns River will continue to oscillate after the storm passes causing continuing flooding issues.
• Conditions are expected to deteriorate through noon Saturday.
• Catastrophic storm surge and destructive wind patterns are expected, posing a significant threat to life and property.
• President Barack Obama has declared a pre-landfall emergency.
• The Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Jacksonville.
• Duval County remains in a State of Emergency.
• According to National Weather Service, conditions will continue to deteriorate with the impact of storm being felt through Friday evening and into Saturday morning.
• The storm is anticipated to be a category 4 hurricane with sustained winds on Jacksonville coast between 90 – 115 mph.
• Inland waterways including St. Johns River and creeks are expected to have sustained winds between 60 – 80 mph. Storm surge on the St. Johns will be between 6 – 9 feet. Standing water as high as 6 feet is expected to persist for days following the storm.
• The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is continuing their 24-hour staffing levels implemented to track and monitor storm conditions and their impact on Jacksonville.

  
Rumor Control:

• There are no sheltered animals in any evacuation zones. The Jacksonville Beach Animal Shelter evacuated to the City of Jacksonville’s shelter. The Jacksonville shelter has more than enough capacity to accommodate the animals. It is a state-of-the-art facility. All cages are indoors and animals are protected. The Jacksonville Humane Society has emptied their facility and sent all animals to foster care. CITIZENS SHOULD NOT DROP THEIR ANIMALS OFF AT ANIMAL CARE AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES. Animal shelters are not housing for personal pets.
• There are no reports of looting in the Jacksonville Beach area. Police are continuing to patrol and monitor the area.
• Jacksonville University is NOT mandating any evacuations from campus as JU residence halls are not currently in an evacuation zone.
• 630-CITY and JaxReady are operational. Please recognize that they are experiencing high volumes slowing operations. Encourage citizens to use the JaxReady app and 630-CITY website as call waiting times may exceed an hour.

Services:

• JEA Updates
  • JEA reports less than 150 customers are experiencing power outages throughout the city.
  • Water and sewer outages will begin to occur after east of the Intercostal. Water utility services will not be reinstated until staff is able to inspect systems, inspect any damage, make any necessary repairs, and provide a safe and healthy water supply to customers. Once services are reinstated, a boil water notice will remain in effect until the water supply is deemed safe.
  • Do not connect generators directly to home wiring. Generators can "backfeed" into the power lines attached to homes, which can increase voltage anywhere on the JEA system and seriously injure or kill a JEA lineman or your neighbor on the same line. For more information, go to https://www.jea.com/Outage_Center/Storm_Safety/Generator_Safety/
  • JEA’s Downtown Business Office is closed.
  • JEA employees are now focusing only on storm preparation and restoration.
  • As of today, JEA will not disconnect service for non-pay or connect new service through the storm.
  • Customers can Text REG to MyJEA (69532) to register to notify JEA of an outage. They can also go to jea.com/alerts to sign up. With this, citizens experiencing outages can text OUT to MYJEA.
  • JEA expects widespread outages and customers should be prepared for multiple days without services.
• Public Works
  • Public Works has addressed 34 stormwater related issues, 9 tree issues and 27 malfunctioning traffic signals. Citizens are reminded to treat malfunctioning traffic lights as 4-way stops.
• JTA Updates
  • There is no JTA bus service today.
• Visit Jacksonville Update
  • People are encouraged go to VISIT FLORIDA’s site to get hotel availability. People can also use TripAdvisor, Expedia and other hotel booking engines to find hotel rooms.
• USPS mail will not be delivered on Friday and Saturday.
• JAX Airport update:
  • All arrivals and departures for Oct. 7 are cancelled.
  • Passengers should contact their airline – NOT the airport – for the most updated status of their flight.
  • Economy Lots 1 and 2 are closed until further notice. Other parking facilities will remain open until they reach capacity. Call the parking office at (904) 741.2277 for more information.

Shelters:

• Shelters remain open, including availability for citizens with special needs. JTA transportation is available as long as weather permits. Citizens can call 630-CITY to request transportation.
• A total of six shelters are open. The Legends Center is at capacity.
• Remaining shelters include:
  • Chimney Lakes Elementary School (9353 Staples Mill Dr. – 32244; General population, pet friendly)
  • Atlantic Coast High School (9735 R. G. Skinner Parkway – 32256; Special needs, general population, pet friendly)
  • Twin Lakes Elementary School (8000 Point Meadows Dr. – 32256; Special needs, general population)
  • Landmark Middle School (101 Kernan Blvd. N. – 32225; Special needs, general population, pet friendly)
  • Mandarin Middle School (5100 Hood Rd. –  32257; Special needs, general population, pet friendly)
• Those staying in shelters must bring their own food, water and bedding.

 
Traffic:

• Traffic Updates (JSO)
  • Citizens are encouraged to stay where they are. Storm conditions are predicted to worsen.
• Traffic Updates (FDOT)
  • There are five convenient ways to receive traffic updates:
    • Download the free Florida 511 mobile app available on Google Play or Apple App Store.
    • Call 511 toll free for updates in English and Spanish.
    • Visit FL511.com for interactive roadway maps showing traffic congestion and crashes, travel times and traffic camera views.
    • Sign up for a “My Florida 511” account at FL511.com to create custom routes and register for email, text or phone alerts.
    • Follow one of the 13 statewide, regional or roadway-specific Twitter feeds (#FL511).
  • Expect many major corridors to be flooded, including construction zones.  Use extreme caution and heed local emergency information. 

Military:

• NAS Jacksonville has closed. Only essential personnel will have access to the base.

 
Other Updates:

• 630-CITY (2489) remains open for any issue reports or information requests.
• City offices and facilities are closed today to non-essential personnel.
• Duval County public schools and postsecondary institutions UNF, EWC, FSCJ, and JU have cancelled classes.
• Evacuation zones can be determined at http://www.coj.net/departments/fire-and-rescue/emergency-preparedness/get-prepared/evacuation-zones.aspx, http://maps.coj.net/DuvalProperty/# or on the JaxReady mobile app.
• Zones A, B and C were ordered to evacuate. Citizens can check if their home is an evacuation zone at http://www.coj.net/departments/fire-and-rescue/emergency-preparedness/get-prepared/evacuation-zones.aspx, http://maps.coj.net/DuvalProperty/# or on the JaxReady mobile app.
• Population for evacuation zones are as follows:
  • Zone A – 192,000
  • Zone B – 72,000
  • Zone C – 192,000

 
Updates will be provided regularly via the City’s website and social media accounts.