Much of the coast of Northeast Florida is being evacuated ahead of Hurricane Matthew. Here’s what you need to know about evacuations and shelters.
General information
Even if you’re not ordered to evacuate, know your needs and your neighborhood. Consider evacuating if you are in a mobile home, are in a traditionally flood prone area, rely on electricity for medical reasons, etc.
Evacuation routes will likely be busy, so use any alternate routes you’re aware of. WOKV will have frequent traffic reports on air covering your evacuation routes.
Prepare to be gone potentially for a few days. Bring bedding, medicine, important documentation, and some kind of recreational item like cards.
JSO is working with the National Guard on a plan for patrolling evacuated areas in the aftermath of the storm to keep your homes safe. You should take proactive measures against crime and the storm by locking up and boarding windows.
St. Johns County
St. Johns County is issuing an evacuation order effective Thursday at 6:00 a.m. for residents living in costal and waterfront areas, as well as those living in boats, RVs and mobile homes.
The Zones involved are A and B- including Ponte Vedra Beach, South Ponte Vedra Beach, Vilano Beach, St. Augustine Beach, Butler Beach, Crescent Beach, and Summer Haven. Resident along the St. Johns River and west of State Road 13, including Hastings, are also affected. Finally, residents who live south of the Northeast Florida Regional Airport east of US 1 to the County line. All of St. Augustine is now being told to evacuate as well.
For evacuation information, including route maps and evacuations zones, please visit the St. Johns County Emergency Management website.
Pedro Menendez High School, Bartram Trail High School (full as of noon Thursday), Timberlin Creek Elementary School (pet friendly), and Pacetti Bay Middle School (special needs) will open as shelters at 6 AM Thursday.
Additional St. Johns County shelters are opening 1 PM Thursday at South Wood Elementary (pet friendly), Osceola Elementary, Otis Mason Elementary, and Mill Creek Elementary.
Nassau County
Nassau County's board of commissioners have signed a mandatory evacuation order for Zones A, C, and F and Amelia Island effective Thursday at 6 a.m.
Shelter locations will be opened in conjunction with the official evacuation order beginning at 6 a.m. on Thursday, October 6 at Bryceville Elementary School on Church Avenue, Callahan Intermediate School on Ball Park Rd, Hilliard Elementary School on Ohio St, Callahan Middle School on Old Dixie Highway (pet friendly), Hilliard Middle-Senior High on Flashes Avenue (special medical needs)
There are shelter pickup locations through Thursday morning in Fernandina Beach- at the Harris Teeter parking lot, Ball’s shopping center, Atlantic Rec Center, and Peck Center- and in Yulee- Springhill Baptist Church, Lowe’s parking lot, Blackrock Baptist Church, and Target shopping center.
Duval County
In Jacksonville, Zones A, B, and C are under mandatory evacuation. Coastal and low lying areas including Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Neptune Beach are being evacuated.
Jacksonville: The Legends Center on Soutel (pet friendly), Atlantic Coast High School (9735 R. G. Skinner Parkway – 32256; pet friendly), Twin Lakes Elementary School (8000 Point Meadows Dr. - 32256), Landmark Middle School (101 Kernan Blvd. N. – 32225; pet friendly), Chimney Lakes Elementary School on Staples Mill Dr (pet friendly), Mandarin Middle School on Hood Road (special needs, pet friendly)
The Salvation Army’s Towers Center of Hope at 900 W Adams Street in Downtown Jacksonville is open for homeless individuals lacking shelter. The City Rescue Mission is also expanding capacity of its shelter at 234 West State Street for those without homes who need a place to go for Matthew.
JEA says water and sewer outages will begin at 8PM Thursday east of the Intracoastal. Services will not be reinstated until the systems can be fully inspected after the storm.
Clay County
Orange Park High School (pet friendly) will open at 5 PM, Lake Asbury Junior High (equipped for special needs) will open at 2 PM, Keystone Heights Junior/Senior High School will open at 5 PM as shelters. An additional shelter is opening at Clay High School on State Road 16 at 5PM Thursday.
There are no evacuation orders, but people living along the St. Johns River, Doctor’s Lake, or the eastern tributaries are encouraged to evacuate
Baker County
There are no evacuations in Baker County at this time.
A general shelter is opening at 6 PM Thursday at Macclenny Elementary School on Wild Kitten Drive (pet friendly). A special needs shelter will open at Ed Fraser Hospital on 3rd Street.
