Hurricane Milton Updates

Follow this page and find us on Facebook for updates to the St. Johns County business community. For additional tips and information, see Hurricane Preparedness for Businesses.

St. Johns County Emergency Management encourages the public to stay informed through these options:

Follow St. Johns County Emergency Management on Facebook (facebook.com/StJohnsEOC) and X/Twitter (x.com/StJohnsEOC).
Sign up for the Alert St. Johns emergency notification system at www.sjcemergencymanagement.com.
Ensure the notification settings selected allow you to be alerted at all times for your safety.
Register for Nixle Alerts by texting StJohnsEOC to 888777.
Download the SJC Connect app at www.sjcfl.us/sjc-connect. Enable notifications within the app to receive real-time updates.

Update #13 - Wednesday, Oct. 16, 9 a.m.

Emergency Bridge Loan Program for Small Business

Flagler County businesses may apply for Florida's Emergency Bridge Loan Program designed to "bridge the gap" between the time a disaster strikes and when longer term recovery funding is available.

Available for small business with less than 100 employees
Zero interest loan
Program loans of up to $50,000
Program loans of up to $100,000 for agriculture or aquaculture

Apply by Dec. 4, 2024, at FloridaJobs.org/EBL. For more information or if you need assistance, call (833) 832-4494 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Update #12 - Friday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m.

St. Johns County damage assessments underway following Hurricane Milton

St. Johns County has experienced significant impacts from Hurricane Milton. While the storm has moved out of the area, officials advise residents to be aware of potentially hazardous conditions caused by downed trees and power lines, as well as flooding. Damage assessments are underway, and crews are working to remove debris as quickly as possible. However, this process will take time.

St. Johns County
For St. Johns County residents or business owners with storm-related structural damage or permitting questions, please contact the St. Johns County Building Services Structural Hotline at (904) 827-6836. To have storm-related permits prioritized, call (904) 827-6819 for expedited review.

City of St. Augustine
Residents and business owners within the City of St. Augustine limits should call 904-825-1065 for assistance.

City of St. Augustine Beach
Residents and business owners within the City of St. Augustine Beach limits should submit the following web form for assistance: https://broker.edmundsassoc.com/RSS/?municipalId=SAUGFL#MAKE_A_REQUEST.

Hurricane Milton Damage Assessment Survey
Additionally, St. Johns County Emergency Management is seeking assistance from the public to document damage within St. Johns County resulting from Milton. The survey can be found at www.sjcfl.us/hurricane and will remain open until Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. This information will be used to assist the County in collecting isolated impacts that may have occurred as a result of Milton and may be provided to other State and Federal agencies as they assess the damage. This damage assessment survey is NOT an application for local, state, or federal disaster assistance or to make a claim on insurance.

Update #11 - Thursday, Oct. 10, 4:30 p.m.

County lifts Hurricane Milton mandatory evacuation order at 5 p.m. Oct. 10

St. Johns County has lifted the mandatory evacuation order for all of Evacuation Zone A, all of Evacuation Zone B, and the portion of Evacuation Zone F located south of State Road 206, effective 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10.

While the evacuation order has been lifted, officials urge residents in flood-prone and low-lying areas to proceed with caution. Due to lingering floodwaters, some roads and locations within the community remain impassable.

Storm shelters will close at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 11. Residents who utilized storm shelter services are encouraged to safely return home and assess their property.

For more information, contact the Citizen Information Hotline at (904) 824-5550.

Update #10 - Thursday, Oct. 10, noon

Hurricane Milton severs Anastasia Island wastewater facility sewer main; no interruption to services

At approximately 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, heavy rains resulting from Hurricane Milton severed a major sewer main at the Anastasia Island Wastewater Facility. St. Johns County Utilities staff promptly responded to the site. St. Johns County assures residents that there was not and will not be any interruption to water or sewer services during this process. However, residents are urged to not fish or swim in the Intracoastal Waterway near State Road 312 until water quality testing is completed due to the sanitary sewer overflow.

Crews have successfully contained the sewer overflow in two stormwater ponds within the facility and manually pumped it directly into the wastewater treatment basins.

SJCU has also initiated emergency work with a local contractor available to respond. The immediate plan involves installing a temporary sewer main to bypass the sewer flow to the Anastasia Island Wastewater Facility. Crews will work around the clock to expedite the process. Once the temporary bypass is operational, staff will begin restoring the stormwater ponds to their normal operational state.

Following the temporary measures, SJCU will work with a contractor to install a permanent major sewer main to ensure long-term infrastructure integrity.

Call the Citizen Information Hotline at (904) 824-5550 with any questions.

Update #9 - Thursday, Oct. 10, 9:30 a.m.

FloridaCommerce activates assessment survey and bridge loan program

FloridaCommerce and the State Emergency Response Team activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey and Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program in response to Hurricane Milton.

Business owners can self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Milton. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Milton recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of impacted businesses. COMPLETE THE SURVEY »

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program makes $50 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Milton. Florida small business owners in need of assistance can apply at FloridaJobs.org/EBL.

The program provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Milton. Interested applicants can apply now through December 4, 2024, or until all available funds are expended. The loans are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer-term recovery funding.

If you need additional assistance with your business, call the private sector hotline at (850) 815-4925, open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, or email ESF18@em.myflorida.com.

Update #8 - Thursday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m.

County urges public to stay off the road

Following Hurricane Milton, St. Johns County is urging the public to stay off the roads as crews conduct damage assessments across the community.

Residents are encouraged to refrain from non-emergency travel until damage assessments are complete. This includes going to check on your business; wait for an all-clear from officials before making your way out. Many roads may be blocked by flooding, debris, or downed power lines, posing hazards to drivers and pedestrians alike. Emergency responders are currently working to clear debris and restore access.

Call the Citizen Information Hotline at (904) 824-5550 with any questions.

Update #7 - Wednesday, Oct. 9, 4 p.m.

St. Johns County experiencing significant flooding

St. Johns County is experiencing significant flooding from Hurricane Milton as conditions deteriorate around the county.

Never drive through flooded roads. Just 6 inches of water can knock over and drown an adult. Just 12 inches of water can carry away a vehicle. Driving through flooded roads can also create a wake that damages nearby homes and businesses.

If you become stranded in your vehicle due to flood waters, call 911 immediately. If you cannot get through to 911, call the Citizen Information Hotline at (904) 824-5550 immediately.

Now is the time to get to your "hunker down" location and stay there.

Update #6 - Wednesday, Oct. 9, 11 a.m.

Information from the Emergency Operations Center

Call the Citizen Information Hotline at (904) 824-8550 with your Hurricane Milton questions.

Update #5 - Tuesday, Oct. 8, 1 p.m.

Mandatory evacuation order issued for Zones A, B, F

St. Johns County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for all healthcare facilities located in Evacuation Zones A, B, and F (South of State Road 206), effective 2 p.m. today, Tuesday, Oct. 8. The early issuance of this mandatory evacuation order for healthcare facilities is to facilitate the coordination of logistics and transportation, ensuring patients and residents in these healthcare facilities continue to receive care.

St. Johns County has also issued a mandatory evacuation order for all residents and visitors in Evacuation Zone A (along coastal and river areas), Zone B, and Zone F (South of State Road 206) effective at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, due to the imminent threat posed by Hurricane Milton. This includes the entire City of St. Augustine, the City of St. Augustine Beach, and residents living on waterfront properties or in flood-prone areas. Residents living in boats, RVs, mobile homes, and low-lying flood-prone areas are also required to evacuate.

Residents in these evacuation zones who do not intend to utilize a St. Johns County storm shelter should leave as soon as possible to avoid unexpected traffic delays.

Storm Shelters Opening
Three storm shelters will open at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, to accommodate evacuees:

Special Medical Needs: Freedom Crossing Academy, 1365 Shetland Drive, St. Johns
Pet Friendly: South Woods Elementary School, 4750 State Road 206 West, Elkton
General Population: Pedro Menendez High School, 600 State Road 206 West, St. Augustine

Residents who require transportation to a storm shelter should call the Emergency Management Citizen Information Hotline at 904-824-5550. Transportation will be provided for those in need. Shelter information: https://www.sjcfl.us/evacuation-information/hurricane-evacuation-shelters/

Supplies Needed
While shelters provide safety throughout the storm, residents must bring supplies to maintain personal comfort. St. Johns County recommends that all evacuees bring their own bedding, including sleeping bags or air mattresses, pillows, sheets, and blankets. A five-day supply of water, non-perishable food, medication, diapers, and other personal items are also suggested. Please refer to the list below for additional supply suggestions.

At least a five-day supply of medications, insulin, and a cooler if you are diabetic
Personal grooming and hygiene items, feminine supplies
Extra clothing, eyeglasses
Books, magazines, cards, games, etc.
Pillows, blankets, sheets, lawn chair/chaise lounge
Flashlight and extra batteries, manual can opener
Personal identification/important papers

Update #4 - Tuesday, Oct. 8, 9 a.m.

Milton Update from US National Weather Service Jacksonville Florida

Significant Milton impacts expected to NE FL & Coastal SE GA Wednesday into Thursday

With the 8:00am intermediate advisory:

Hurricane Warning has expanded to include Marion, Putnam, St. John, and Flagler counties
Tropical Storm Warning has been expanded to include Duval, Nassau, and Clay counties in NE FL
Storm Surge Watch has been upgraded to Storm Surge Warning along the coast of NE FL and St John River.

Finish Storm Preparations TODAY

Update #3 - Monday, Oct. 7, 2 p.m.

St. Johns County Residential Solid Waste Collection Service Update

In response to the impending weather conditions, resources typically dedicated to recycling will be redirected to enhance yard waste collection services during the storm. FCC Environmental will deploy additional personnel and equipment, including external contractors using grapple trucks to facilitate yard waste collection. County Road and Bridge crews will also assist in the collection efforts to improve efficiency. Household garbage collection will remain on its regular schedule.

To facilitate the resources dedicated to enhanced yard waste and household garbage collection, recycling collection will be suspended from Tuesday, Oct. 8, through Friday, Oct. 11. Recycling collection is expected to resume on Monday, Oct. 14, following the storm.

Residents are encouraged to drop off yard waste at the County’s Tillman Ridge or Stratton Road Transfer Stations at no charge. Both facilities will remain open during normal operating hours: Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

Transfer Station Locations:

Tillman Ridge Transfer Station
3005 Allen Nease Road, Elkton
Stratton Road Transfer Station
250 N. Stratton Road, St. Augustine

The St. Johns County Emergency Management Citizen Information Hotline (904-824-5550) is now open to help answer the public’s questions about Milton.

Update #2 - Monday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m.

St. Johns County Issues Local State of Emergency Ahead of Milton

St. Johns County issued a local state of emergency, effective 8 a.m. today, in advance of potential storm conditions due to Milton. This mirrors the declaration of a state of emergency issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis. A declaration of a state of emergency aids in the response, recovery, and operations necessary to cope with the emergency. The St. Johns County Emergency Management Citizen Information Hotline (904-824-5550) is now open to help answer the public’s questions about Milton.

Residents can find tips and resources such as supply kits, pets, and other emergency response information at www.sjcfl.us/hurricane.

NWS Jacksonville 11 a.m. update

Update #1 - Monday, Oct. 7 - 9 a.m.

St. Johns County Providing Free Sandbags Ahead of Milton

St. Johns County will provide free sandbags on Monday, Oct. 7, noon-5 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., as long as weather permits and supplies last at the following six locations ahead of impacts from Milton:

Windswept Acres Park – 5335 SR A1A South, St. Augustine
Solomon Calhoun Center – 1300 Duval Street, St. Augustine
St. Johns County Equestrian Center – 8200 Smith Road, Hastings
Mills Field – 1805 Racetrack Road, St. Augustine
North Beach Park – 3721 Coastal Highway, Vilano Beach
Palm Valley Bridge – East Side of Intracoastal Waterway

In coordination, the City of St. Augustine will provide free sandbags on Monday, Oct. 7, 1-5 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., as long as weather permits and supplies last at the following location:

Francis Field – 25 W. Castillo Dr, St. Augustine

The sand and bags will be provided free of charge. The public must provide their own transportation and shovels and will be responsible for filling their own bags. There is a maximum allocation of 20 bags per person. A sandbag typically weighs about 30 to 40 pounds.

St. Johns County Emergency Management encourages the public to stay informed through these options:

Follow St. Johns County Emergency Management on Facebook (facebook.com/StJohnsEOC) and X/Twitter (x.com/StJohnsEOC).
Sign up for the Alert St. Johns emergency notification system at www.sjcemergencymanagement.com