12/30/19 @ 1:40 p.m. - Emergencies are unpredictable and when they happen, your financial stability can be at risk. Whether its an illness, job loss, home or car repair, your cash flow can be majorly affected if you aren't prepared.

Begin planning an emergency fund so that you have savings to offset the sting of an unexpected financial burden. A good rule of thumb is to put away at least 3 to 6 months worth of expenses to use as a safety net.

Also, don't forget that most standard homeowners insurance policies don't cover flooding. Just a few inches of flooding can lead to loss of thousands of dollars to your home or business. Most policies require a 30 days waiting period before the coverage becomes effective. Begin looking for a policy today to ensure you are covered before a flood risk approaches.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/23/19 @ 4:45 p.m. - Did you know that floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States? Stay informed about flooding in your area by signing up for emergency alerts. This system allows you to select the type of weather alerts you would like to receive including information about floods, marine conditions, fire warnings,freeze advisories and more. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/20/19 @ 4:15 p.m. - At the Board of County Commissioner's meeting held on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, the Board presented Resolution No. 2019-140 commending government employees, agencies and individuals who assisted the County during Hurricane Dorian.

The room was filled with law enforcement personnel, first responders, employees and various agencies such as the Port Authority, Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Transportation, School Board, Baptist Medical Center Nassau, among many, many others.

Chairman Justin Taylor expressed his gratitude to everyone for all their efforts and stated, "I know it was tough being away from your families and working hard for several days. I want the citizens to know that they were well taken care of should the storm had taken a catastrophic turn".

County Manager, Mike Mullin, echoed Chairman Taylor's sentiments, adding, "The public never gets the opportunity to see what happens at the Emergency Operations Center. If they did, they'd have an entirely different view. Sometimes the public feels irrirated whether it's a curfew that's been implemented or an evacuation order. They don't realize how many hours all these good men and women devote to listening to the Hurricane Center, to evaluating the information, to making decisions for the safety of the residents".

To watch the presentation, please click this link.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/12/19 @ 9:40 a.m. - Nassau County Emergency Management notified us that first responders are working the scene of an active gas leak at the corner of Chester Road and State Road 200. Roads are blocked and traffic is being detoured. Please avoid the area. Residents in the immediate area should shelter in place until further notice.

If you have any questions, please contact Emergency Management at (904) 548-0900.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/6/19 @ 9:00 a.m. - If you have sandbags that have not been exposed to water and you wish to get rid of them, please return them to one of the following locations today or on Monday:

Dee Dee Bartel/North End Boat Ramp
97177 Pogy Place, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Not gated, can just drop off

Yulee Road & Bridge Office
86200 Gene Lasserre Blvd., Yulee, FL 32097
This location is gated so hours are today and Monday from 9am-4pm

If you have any questions, please contact Road & Bridge at (904) 530-6175.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/3/19 @ 8:45 p.m. 

While Board of County Commissioners' offices are closed to the general public for day-to-day business, it doesn't mean that BOCC staff is not hard at work. Since Dorian was identified as a potential threat to Nassau County, BOCC staff has been working around the clock preparing for potential impacts and coordinating efforts to provide sheltering and transportation for residents in need.

Many members of our staff are working at the Emergency Operations Center filling critical positions in the Finance and Operations Section to ensure we have supplies needed to respond to emergencies. Other essential staff are in the field making ongoing preparations to ensure safety of the residents and protection of public property. 

Below are some activities that have been taking place: 

Public Works, Facilities and Parks & Recreation

• Working at four locations distributing 51,000 sandbags to residents at no-charge
• Ensuring roadways are passable for emergency personnel and motorists
• Placing generators at all County locations and ensuring they are fueled
• Boarded up windows and doors at the Historic Courthouse, Yulee County Building and Fire Stations
• American Beach Community Center shutters installed
• James S. Page Governmental Complex window covers installed
• All County parks and beachfront parks airborne prevention completed
• Beach driving access points fortified with barrier sand with 120 loads of sand placed
• East/West County ditches and outfalls were cleaned to prepare for large amounts of rain
• Storm drains were cleared at trouble locations
• County facility roofs were inspected and gutters were checked
• All county equipment checked and topped with fuel to ensure they are ready to go immediately following the storm
• Fuel locations at Hillard and Yulee yard have been topped off
• Roads and Facility staff are now on A/B shift schedule until further notice.
• Final checks on all County beach boardwalks are currently being conducted. 

Animal Services

• Loading vans with supplies and moving equipment to pet friendly shelters
• Relocating animals from the Humane Society on the island to the County facility on License Drive
• Coordinated with Happy Acres to hold large animals and livestock
• Still actively responding to calls for animals running at large and will pick up any loose animals immediately following the storm
• Staffing pet friendly shelters

Fire/Rescue

• Preparing stations for storm activity
• Stocking supplies for emergency responses
• Preparing for evacuation of Station 20 at American Beach, if needed
• Coordinating plans for emergency responses following storm

These are just highlights of some of the major preparations that have taken place that last few days. Employees will continue to work throughout the storm and will continue to respond to calls as long as it is deemed safe to do so. It is our privilege to serve the residents of this wonderful County. We trust that you will keep our employees in your thoughts and pray for their safety tonight and tomorrow. We look forward to returning to normal business on Friday. 
​
-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/3/19 @ 5:50 p.m. 

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
09/03/2019

Nassau County Emergency Management
Contact: Public Information Officer
(904) 583-5543
email: EOC.PublicInfo@NassauFLEM.com
Facebook: NassauEM
Twitter: @NassauEM
Website: www.nassaufl-em.com

Nassau County Issues Curfew

Nassau County Manager Mike Mullin today issued a county-wide curfew in Nassau County beginning tonight, Tuesday 09/03/2019 at 8pm. The curfew will remain in effect until 7am tomorrow morning. Mullin also announced all county offices will close Thursday, 09/05/2019 and reopen Friday, 09/06/2019. The evacuation order remains in effect. Nassau County Director of Emergency Management Greg Foster says residents should stay in place during the curfew and focus on the safety of themselves, family and pets.

Nassau County Law Enforcement, Fire and Rescue and FEMA will begin damage assessments as soon as conditions allow for safe operations to begin. Following those assessments and based upon conditions, for example, safe road conditions and a lack of major power outages, Nassau County officials will determine lifting the evacuation order. Schools will remain closed through Thursday and will reopen Friday. 

Note: Since the issuing of this Press Release, it has also been determined that County Offices will remain closed through Thursday and will reopen Friday.

9/3/19 @ 11:10 a.m. The Attorney General's Office established a hotline where residents can report price gouging. So far, they have received more than 2,000 reports for items such as gasoline, food, water and even hotel rooms. 

Price gouging during an emergency is illegal. Residents are encouraged to report price gouging by calling 1-866-966-7226 or through the Attorney General's website. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/3/19 @ 10:15 a.m. 

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After an Ememergency

HIGHLIGHTS

• Generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, or camper – or even outside near an open window.
• Every home should have at least one working carbon monoxide detector. The detector’s batteries should be checked at least twice annually, at the same time smoke detector batteries are checked.

Important CO Poisoning Prevention Tips

• Never use a gas range or oven to heat a home.
• Never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage.
• Never use a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. Use an extension cord that is more than 20 feet long to keep the generator at a safe distance.
• When using a generator, use a battery-powered or battery backup CO detector in your home.
• Never run a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside a basement, garage, or other enclosed structure, even if the doors or windows are open, unless the equipment is professionally installed and vented. Keep vents and flues free of debris, especially if winds are high. Flying debris can block ventilation lines.
• Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern, or portable camping stove inside a home, tent, or camper.
• If conditions are too hot or too cold, seek shelter with friends or at a community shelter.
• If CO poisoning is suspected, call 911 or your local Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or consult a health care professional right away.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled.When power outages occur during emergencies such as hurricanes or winter storms, the use of alternative sources of fuel or electricity for heating, cooling, or cooking can cause CO to build up in a home, garage, or camper and to poison the people and animals inside.

Every year, more than 400 people die in the U. S. from accidental non-fire related CO poisoning.CO is found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by small gasoline engines, stoves, generators, lanterns, and gas ranges, or by burning charcoal and wood. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. People and animals in these spaces can be poisoned and can die from breathing CO.

How to Recognize CO PoisoningExposure to CO can cause loss of consciousness and death. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. People who are sleeping or who have been drinking alcohol can die from CO poisoning before ever having symptoms.

Other Carbon Monoxide ResourcesFor educational materials, flyers, public service announcements, clinical guidance, and other resources, see Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After a Disaster.