9/8/17 @ 1:00 p.m. - During this morning's conference call with the Florida Department of Emergency Management and the National Hurricane Center, counties were advised that the storm has slowed to 14 mph with sustained winds of 150 mph. Due to the size of the storm, it is expected that both coasts will be affected by this storm. Emergency Officials are continuing to watch Irma closely and indicated that she has taken another slight shift west. They anticipate that her projected path will continue to change. They also stated that regardless of where the storm hits, the State is preparing for catastrophic damage.
It has been emphasized that even if the storm continues to weaken, storm surge will still be an issue and it's expected that Nassau County will experience 5-10 feet of storm surge, particularly on the island and along the St. Marys River. Just to put this into perspective, Sandy was reduced to a Tropical Storm prior to hitting land in 2012 and still created a storm surge equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane. Please take this seriously, regardless of reported hurricane strength when Irma reaches this area.
Continue to prepare your homes and your families today. Pursuant to the attached Emergency Mandatory Evacuation Order, the county will implement a mandatory evacuation for Zones A, C and F, as well as for anyone residing in a manufactured home, beginning at 6:00 p.m. today. It is anticipated that the evacuation will be completed on or before noon on Sunday, September 10th. Please note that the bridge will be closed once sustained winds reach 40 mph. There is no way to determine when exactly that will occur but Nassau County will experience hurricane force winds beginning early Sunday.
The County plans to open five shelters beginning at 6:00 p.m. today:
General Population
Bryceville Elementary School
6504 Church Avenue
Bryceville, FL 32009
Callahan Intermediate School
34586 Ball Park Rd.
Callahan, FL 32011
Hilliard Elementary School
27568 Ohio Street
Hilliard, FL 32046
Pet Friendly (requires secure crate/cage, bowls, food, leash and proof of vaccinations)
Callahan Middle School
450121 Old Dixie Highway
Callahan, FL 32011
Special Medical & Functional Needs Shelter
Hilliard Middle-Senior High School
1 Flashes Avenue
Hilliard, FL 32046
Other shelters may open at a later time if needed. Transportation is being coordinated with the Nassau County School and will be announced soon.
Lastly, just as a reminder, please do not plan on returning home until it is announced that it's safe to do so. Once the storm passes, Emergency personnel have to check roads for debris and downed power lines. Additionally, all bridges have to be inspected to ensure they are passable. Please do not plan to return home until you are given approval to do so.
-Sabrina Robertson
County Manager's Office
.
It has been emphasized that even if the storm continues to weaken, storm surge will still be an issue and it's expected that Nassau County will experience 5-10 feet of storm surge, particularly on the island and along the St. Marys River. Just to put this into perspective, Sandy was reduced to a Tropical Storm prior to hitting land in 2012 and still created a storm surge equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane. Please take this seriously, regardless of reported hurricane strength when Irma reaches this area.
Continue to prepare your homes and your families today. Pursuant to the attached Emergency Mandatory Evacuation Order, the county will implement a mandatory evacuation for Zones A, C and F, as well as for anyone residing in a manufactured home, beginning at 6:00 p.m. today. It is anticipated that the evacuation will be completed on or before noon on Sunday, September 10th. Please note that the bridge will be closed once sustained winds reach 40 mph. There is no way to determine when exactly that will occur but Nassau County will experience hurricane force winds beginning early Sunday.
The County plans to open five shelters beginning at 6:00 p.m. today:
General Population
Bryceville Elementary School
6504 Church Avenue
Bryceville, FL 32009
Callahan Intermediate School
34586 Ball Park Rd.
Callahan, FL 32011
Hilliard Elementary School
27568 Ohio Street
Hilliard, FL 32046
Pet Friendly (requires secure crate/cage, bowls, food, leash and proof of vaccinations)
Callahan Middle School
450121 Old Dixie Highway
Callahan, FL 32011
Special Medical & Functional Needs Shelter
Hilliard Middle-Senior High School
1 Flashes Avenue
Hilliard, FL 32046
Other shelters may open at a later time if needed. Transportation is being coordinated with the Nassau County School and will be announced soon.
Lastly, just as a reminder, please do not plan on returning home until it is announced that it's safe to do so. Once the storm passes, Emergency personnel have to check roads for debris and downed power lines. Additionally, all bridges have to be inspected to ensure they are passable. Please do not plan to return home until you are given approval to do so.
-Sabrina Robertson
County Manager's Office
.
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