3/14/19 @ 4:45 p.m. - IT'S NATIONAL FLOOD AWARENESS WEEK!

Knowing what to do before a flood occurs increases your chances or survival and better protect your property. While sometimes floods develop slowly as rains continue to fall, however sometimes flash floods can occur within minutes. Being prepared can save your life and give you peace of mind.

Create a Communications Plan
It is important to be able to communicate with your family and friends in the event of a disaster. Whether it is having a specific person identified to contact for status updates or a safe location to meet up with family members, having a plan in place will give you peace of mind if disaster does strike.

Assemble an Emergency Kit
It is good practice to have enough food, water and medicine on hand at all times to last you at least 3 days in the case of an emergency. Water service may be interrupted or unsafe to drink and food requiring little cooking and no refrigeration may be needed if electric power is interrupted. You should also have batteries, blankets, flashlights, first aid kit, rubber boots, rubber gloves, and a NOAA Weather Radio or other battery operated radio easily available.

Know Your Risk
Is your home, business or school in a floodplain? Where is water likely to collect on the roadways you most often travel? What is the fastest way to get to higher ground? Knowing the answers to these questions ahead of time can save your life. Check your property using the Property Appraiser's website.
Search for your property, click on the parcel identification number, and then click "Map This Parcel". Once the aerial view opens, go to "Map Layers" and click "Environmental - Flood Zones Effective August 2017" from the drop down menu.

Sign Up for Notifications
Sign up for Emergency Alerts here. You can sign up to receive alerts via call, text, or email.

Prepare Your Home
Sometimes floods develop slowly and forecasters can anticipate where a flood will happen days or weeks before it occurs. Oftentimes flash floods can occur within minutes and sometimes without any sign of rain. Being prepared can save your life and give you peace of mind.

1. If you have access to sandbags or other materials, use them to protect your home from flood waters if you have sufficient time to do so. Filling sandbags can take more time than you may think.
2. Have a professional install check-valves in plumbing to prevent flood waters from backing up into the drains of your home. Make sure your sump pump is working and consider having a backup. Make sure your electric circuit breakers, or fuses, are clearly marked for each area of your home.
3. Since standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover flooding, ensure coverage by contacting your insurance company or agent to purchase flood insurance. This must be done before there is even a threat of flooding as insurance companies stop issuing policies if there is a threat of flooding. (i.e. an approaching hurricane). Many flood insurance policies take at least 30 days to go into effect so even if you can buy it as a storm is approaching, it may not protect your investment.

Prepare Your Family/Pets
You may be evacuated, so pack in advance. Don't wait until the last moment to gather the essentials for yourself, your family and/or your pets.

Charge Your Essential Electronics
Make sure your cell phone and portable radios are all charged in case you lose power or need to evacuate. Also make sure you have back-up batteries on hand.

Leave
If it is likely your home will flood, don't wait to be ordered to leave; evacuate yourself! Make alternative plans for a place to stay. If you have pets, take them with you or make arrangements to board them at a facility well away from the flooding danger.

Source: www.weather.gov/safety/flood-before

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/13/19 @ 9:00 a.m. - IT'S NATIONAL FLOOD AWARENESS WEEK!

Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster and can happen anywhere. While those living in flood-prone areas are required to have flood insurance, those in low to moderate risk areas do not.

Flood damage is not covered by most homeowners insurance policies. If you don't have flood insurance and a natural disaster occurs, the costs can be catastrophic to your family. Just one inch of water can cause up to $25,000 in damage to your home or apartment.




WHY DO I NEED FLOOD INSURANCE?

FACT: Floods are the nation’s most common and costly natural disaster and cause millions of dollars in damage every year.

FACT: Homeowners and renters insurance does not typically cover flood damage.

FACT: Floods can happen anywhere--More than 20 percent of flood claims come from properties outside the high risk flood zone. Check out this video The Big Cost of Flooding

FACT: Flood insurance can pay regardless of whether or not there is a Presidential Disaster Declaration

FACT: Most federal disaster assistance comes in the form of low-interest disaster loans from U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and you have to pay them back. FEMA offers disaster grants that don't need to be paid back, but this amount is often much less than what is needed to recover. A claim against your flood insurance policy could and often does, provide more funds for recovery than those you could qualify for from FEMA or the SBA--and you don't have to pay it back.

FACT: Wildfires dramatically change landscape and ground conditions, which can lead to increased risk of flooding due to heavy rains, flash flooding and mudflows.

HOW CAN I BUY FLOOD INSURANCE?

Watch these informative videos: How Can I Buy Flood Insurance; What Do I Need to Know About Flood Insurance Coverage

To learn more about factors that determine the cost of flood insurance, watch this video: What Factors Determine How Much I Pay for Flood Insurance.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/12/19 @ 9:30 a.m. - IT'S FLOOD AWARENESS WEEK!

Did you know that almost half of deaths related to floods happens in a vehicle?  A representative from the National Weather Service stated, "People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of these deaths occur in automobiles that are swept downstream. Many of these drownings are preventable, but too many people continue to drive around the barriers that warn you the road is flooded".

The road bed beneath the flood could be severely damaged and it's impossible to tell the exact depth of the water or the condition of the surface beneath. This is why you should NEVER attempt to drive through a flooded road. Remember that it only takes a few feet of water to carry away a vehicle. This includes trucks and SUVs.

The National Weather Service's campaign, "Turn Around, Don't Drown", attempts to educate individuals of just how dangerous a few inches of water can be. Any time you come to a flooded road, walkway or path, remember to "Turn Around, Don't Drown".

Should you find yourself in a scenario where no reasonable alternative exists but to drive through the water, safety officials recommend that you:

• Do your best to estimate the depth of the water.
• Drive slowly and steadily through.
• Watch for items traveling downstream that could trap or crush your vehicle.
• Test your brakes on a clear patch of road at low speeds after driving through water up to the wheel rims or higher to ensure they're dry and working properly.
• Keep in mind that if your vehicle stalls in the deep water and you're forced to restart, irreparable damage could occur to the engine.
• Immediately abandon your vehicle and head for higher ground if you can't restart and become trapped in rising water. Try to open the door or roll down the window to exit, and call 911 or try to get the attention of someone nearby to call for help.
  

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/11/19 @ 8:45 a.m. - It's National Flood Awareness Week!

Heavy rains and severe weather are common in the spring and with it comes an increased risk for flooding. Just a few inches of rain is enough to over-saturate the ground, overfill drain storms, and cause rivers to spill over their banks. Intense rainfall can also cause flash flooding in low-lying areas.

Did you know that most standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage? Even a small flood can cause catastrophic damage to your home yet many homeowners remain uninsured. The average claim for flood damage is around $34,000 and most survivors can't afford to pay this cost of of pocket. With about 20% of claims occurring in moderate-to-low risk zones, it's important to remember that everyone is at risk for flooding. If you don't have flood insurance, stop shopping now. Don't forget that it typically takes 30 days for new policies to get into effect so don't wait.

Attached is FEMA's Spring Flood Fact Sheet which contains information on flooding, ways to reduce your risk, creating an emergency plan, and what to do should become a victim of flooding.

Visit FEMA's website Ready.Gov for more on family preparedness for flooding and other types of emergencies.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10/12/18  5:00 PM
 
Nassau County ARES Providing Communications Support to Panhandle
 
Nassau County’s Amateur Radio Emergency Services (NCARES) team has been requested by the State’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to lend their communications networking capabilities and technological expertise to the Panhandle counties.  Hurricane Michael destroyed critical infrastructure throughout several counties west of Tallahassee.  Many are relying on volunteer Ham Radio operators utilizing the State Amateur Radio Network (SARnet) to relay information about structural damage, supply shortages, and requests for assistance from the Panhandle to NE Florida, where those needs can be put directly into Emergency Management’s web-based disaster information and mission request system. 

As a not-for-profit entity, NCARES pays for all of its equipment and operations through donations and two annual barbeque fundraisers.  NCARES members volunteer their time and resources daily to Nassau County Emergency Management staffing the County Watch Office.  During disasters like Hurricane Michael, the volunteers do whatever is needed to ensure emergency messages get to where they need to go.  NCARES volunteers will tow their Mobile Communications Center, joining Detective Thomas Kelley in the specially-equipped NCSO Mobile Communications Vehicle on a mission to provide emergency generator power, patching, relay, and dispatch capabilities and help repair what they can to improve public safety communication in the devastated counties.

Nassau County Emergency Management
Contact:  Martha Oberdorfer, Public Information
904-548-0900 (EOC Information Center)
e-mail:  EOC.PublicInfo@NassauFLEM.com
Facebook: NassauEM
Twitter: @NassauEM

10/10/18 @ 10:45 a.m. - Below is an updated from Nassau County Emergency Management posted to their website at 10:00 a.m. this morning:

HURRICANE MICHAEL UPDATE: 10/10/2018 10AM

For areas along the coast and The Intracoastal Waterway, be aware of periodic high winds, possibility of tornadoes/waterspouts, and intermittent bridge closures. Officers will be stationed at the bridges to monitor sustained wind speeds. Timing of concern for our area begins early this afternoon and into the midnight hours.

For areas west of US1 in Nassau County, be aware of periodic high winds, tornadoes. Remember that the west side... of our county sits on the edge of warning areas sustained tropical storm force winds. Vigilance and preparedness is imperative.

While no official warnings have been issued for Nassau County, there are severe weather impact potentials all around us. Please remain vigilant and prepared.

Bridges are open at this time. When sustained wind speeds are above 39 mph for 3 minutes, we will temporarily close the bridge. Officers will be stationed to monitor these conditions throughout the day. If the bridges close, they will reopen as soon as winds speeds subside to a safe level for travel.
Because of construction on A1A, we are unsure how winds and rains may impact the roadways. If you do not have reason to be on the roads, we encourage you to remain indoors.

If you have questions? Call Nassau County Emergency Management 904-548-0900.

10/10/18 @ 2:00 p.m. - At this morning's Conference Call of the Executive Policy Group, Emergency Management Director, Billy Estep, stated that Hurricane Michael is now being referred to as a "historical storm" due to its size and strength and indicated that tropical storm force winds will be felt as far north as Augusta, Ga.

Current wind predictions for Nassau County are between 20-35 mph from 3:00 p.m. to midnight, and then between 35-50 mph from midnight to noon tomorrow. The west side of the County has the potential for power outages and tornadoes. The east side of the County has already experienced fallen debris and will be in danger of possible tornadoes and water spouts.

We've been told that Okefenokee Electric has ample resources to respond to power outages in their service areas on the west side of the County and that Florida Power & Light will be staging 150 trucks near Hilliard to respond to outages to their customers throughout the County. Residents are reminded to avoid downed power lines and to report them as soon as possible.

Employees of the Nassau County Road & Bridge Department and Facilities Maintenance Department will be working throughout the night to respond to calls as needed. Officers will be stationed by the bridges to monitor wind conditions and will close bridges if we experience sustained (continuous) winds of 39mph or greater for 3 minutes. If the bridges close, they will reopen as soon as winds speeds subside to a safe level for travel.

The Emergency Operations Center will remain activated to a Level II and will have staff and volunteers answering phones and watching the storm as it progresses throughout the evening. If you have any questions, they can be reached at (904) 548-0900.

The Journey Church in Fernandina Beach has indicated they can open their doors for shelter and can take up to 130 people. They are not currently open at this time, however will be on standby should Emergency Management determine there is a need. Should the County need to open a shelter, it will be at the Hilliard Middle Senior High School. Please note there are currently NO plans to open a County operated shelter at this time.

Nassau County Schools have cancelled all after school activities, however there are currently NO plans to cancel school tomorrow.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

10/9/18 @ 4:30 p.m. - A Conference Call of the Executive Policy Group was held right before noon today. Emergency Management Director, Billy Estep, indicated that the current track shows Hurricane Michael making landfall in the panhandle and that the possibility of hurricane force winds for Nassau County has diminished.

Tropical Storm force winds on the east side of the County are expected to range from 20-25 mph with gusts up to 35. The west side of the County could see winds between 25-30 mph with gusts up to 35. Though we are currently out of the path, Nassau County could still experience coastal flooding, power outages, and possible tornadoes. THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO PLANS TO CLOSE THE SHAVE BRIDGE.

Nassau County beaches have been closed for swimming and driving due to high tides and a marine warning has been issued up the coast from Flagler Beach, FL up to Altamaha Sound, GA.

Lastly, Nassau County Schools and County Offices are expected to be open tomorrow.

Nassau County Emergency Management will remain at a Level II activation through tomorrow morning and will continue to monitor the storm closely. If you need to speak to someone, please call (904) 548-0900.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

10/8/18 @ 4:10 p.m. - A Conference Call of the Executive Policy Group was held at 11:45 a.m. to discuss Hurricane Michael and potential impacts to Nassau County. Michael is gaining strength rapidly and while it's currently a Category 1, it is expected to be a major hurricane by the time it reaches land. It is too early to know exactly how this storm will affect Nassau County, however it is anticipated that Nassau County could see Tropical Storm or Category 1 force winds late Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning.

The Nassau County Emergency Operations Center has activated to a Level 2 which means that EOC Command and General Staff positions are in place to monitor the storm and begin planning as necessary. Another Conference Call has been scheduled for tomorrow morning. We will provide an update after the call.

In the meantime, please review your evacuation plan, check supplies, and pay close attention to updates. If you have not already, please sign up for emergency alerts to receive emergency incident notification calls, texts, emails and/or smartphone messages.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

10/3/18 @ 8:40 a.m. - There will be a nationwide test of the Wireless Emergency Alert System today at 2:18 p.m.EDT. This test is being done to ensure that the public is able to receive safety information quickly.

The content of the message will be clear that you've received a test and will state, "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed".

The Wireless Emergency Alert will be followed by a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, which is a similar message that will be played over broadcast radio and television stations.

Visit FEMA's website for additional information.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office