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Important Links for residents of Jacksonville Florida:
| Website (clickable) |
Provides |
Information provided by |
 National Weather Service Jacksonville |
Wide variety of weather information |
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) -
National Weather Service (NWS) office. |
| National Hurricane Center |
Wide variety of tropical storm and hurricane information |
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Hurricane Center (NHC) office. |
| NE FL Red Cross |
A variety of emergency prepardedness information and contacts |
Northeast Florida Chapter of The American Red Cross |
| First Coast News Weather |
Wide variety of weather info for our area |
ABC-25 and NBC-12 |
| News4Jax Weather |
Wide variety of weather info for our area |
WJXT-4 |
| Jacksonville.com Weather |
Wide variety of weather info for our area |
Florida Times-Union |
| DisabilityPreparedness.gov |
Information specific to persons with disabilities |
Department of Homeland Security |
| FloridaDisaster.org |
Comprehensive information covering a large range of disaster types |
Florida Division of Emergency Management |
Useful Publications
Important Information about Storms:
| Storm Surge |
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Storm surge is simply water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around the storm. This advancing surge combines with the normal tides to create the hurricane storm tide, which can increase the mean water level 15 feet or more. In addition, wind driven waves are superimposed on the storm tide. This rise in water level can cause severe flooding in coastal areas, particularly when the storm tide coincides with the normal high tides. Because much of the United States' densely populated Atlantic and Gulf Coast coastlines lie less than 10 feet above mean sea level, the danger from storm tides is tremendous.
The level of surge in a particular area is also determined by the slope of the continental shelf. A shallow slope off the coast (right, top picture) will allow a greater surge to inundate coastal communities. Communities with a steeper continental shelf (right, bottom picture) will not see as much surge inundation, although large breaking waves can still present major problems. Storm tides, waves, and currents in confined harbors severely damage ships, marinas, and pleasure boats.
Would a Storm Surge actually reach me?
Below are Storm Surge Zone maps for Jacksonville (Duval County) and the surrounding counties.
Storm Categories
Tropical Depression - Winds 22-33 mph
The first sign that a hurricane may be in the making is the appearance of an organized cluster of thunderclouds over tropical seas. This region of convective activity is labeled a tropical disturbance if a center of low pressure is detectable at the surface. A Tropical depression has a highest wind speed of 38 miles per hour (33 knots), with some rotary circulation and one or more closed isobars. When viewed from a satellite, tropical depressions appear to have little organization. However, the slightest amount of rotation can usually be perceived when looking at a series of satellite images. Instead of a round appearance similar to hurricanes, tropical depressions look like individual thunderstorms that are grouped together. Chances are that the tropical depression was triggered by the ITCZ, by a trough in the westerlies intruding into the tropics from midlatitudes, or by a wave (or ripple) in the easterly trade winds, called an easterly wave.
Tropical Storm -
Winds 34-73 mph
Once a tropical depression has intensified to the point where its maximum sustained winds are between 35-64 knots (39-73 mph), it becomes a tropical storm. It is at this time that it is assigned a name. During this time, the storm itself becomes more organized and begins to become more circular in shape -- resembling a hurricane. The tropical storm stage may persist for up to 45 days, whereas the hurricane stage usually lasts for several days, up to more than two weeks, and longer in the Eastern Pacific. The main energy source is latent heat derived from condensed water vapor, and for this reason hurricanes are generated and continue to gather strength only within the confines of warm oceans.
Category 1 Hurricane — winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt, 119-153 km/hr)
Storm surge generally 4-5 ft above normal. No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage. Hurricane Lili of 2002 made landfall on the Louisiana coast as a Category One hurricane. Hurricane Gaston of 2004 was a Category One hurricane that made landfall along the central South Carolina coast.
Category 2 Hurricane — winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt, 154-177 km/hr)
Storm surge generally 6-8 feet above normal. Some roofing material, door, and window damage of buildings. Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some trees blown down. Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and piers. Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings. Hurricane Frances of 2004 made landfall over the southern end of Hutchinson Island, Florida as a Category Two hurricane. Hurricane Isabel of 2003 made landfall near Drum Inlet on the Outer Banks of North Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane.
Category 3 Hurricane — winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt, 178-209 km/hr)
Storm surge generally 9-12 ft above normal. Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large trees blown down. Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by battering from floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 ft above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required. Hurricanes Jeanne and Ivan of 2004 were Category Three hurricanes when they made landfall in Florida and in Alabama, respectively.
Category 4 Hurricane — winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt, 210-249 km/hr)
Storm surge generally 13-18 ft above normal. More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences. Shrubs, trees, and all signs are blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows. Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain lower than 10 ft above sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10 km). Hurricane Charley of 2004 was a Category Four hurricane made landfall in Charlotte County, Florida with winds of 150 mph. Hurricane Dennis (pdf) of 2005 struck the island of Cuba as a Category Four hurricane.
Category 5 Hurricane — winds 156 mph and up (135+ kt, 249+ km/hr)
Storm surge generally greater than 18 ft above normal. Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Severe and extensive window and door damage. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required. Only 3 Category Five Hurricanes have made landfall in the United States since records began: The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, Hurricane Camille (1969), and Hurricane Andrew in August, 1992. The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane struck the Florida Keys with a minimum pressure of 892 mb--the lowest pressure ever observed in the United States. Hurricane Camille struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast causing a 25-foot storm surge, which inundated Pass Christian. Hurricane Andrew of 1992 made landfall over southern Miami-Dade County, Florida causing 26.5 billion dollars in losses--the costliest hurricane on record. In addition, Hurricane Wilma (pdf) of 2005 was a Category Five hurricane at peak intensity and is the strongest Atlantic tropical cyclone on record with a minimum pressure of 882 mb.
I think I should leave, but on which road?
Below are evacuation maps for Jacksonville (Duval County) and the other counties of Florida. Click on the county names to view the maps.
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Duval County
Hecksher Drive: Take Hecksher Drive west to Florida 9A to points west
North of Atlantic Boulevard: Drive south and turn right on Atlantic Boulevard, proceed to Florida 9A across the Dames Point Bridge (Broward Bridge) to I-95 or points west via I-295
Between Atlantic and Beach Boulevards: Drive south and turn right on Beach Boulevard. Proceed to Hart Bridge Expressway to I-95 to I-10 and points west
Between Beach and Butler Boulevards: Drive south and turn right on Butler, proceed to I-95 or points west
St Johns County
Ponte Vedra Beach/Sawgrass: Take A1A North and turn west on to Butler Boulevard and proceed to I-95 or points west
Nassau County
Take A1A West to U.S. 17, I-95, U.S. 1 and U.S. 301
I can't leave, where is a shelter?
American Red Cross Hurricane Shelters in Duval County
- Abess Park Elementary School - 12731 Abess Blvd.
- Andrew Robinson Elementary - 101 W. 12th St.
- Arlington Middle School - 8141 Lone Star Road
- Chets Creek Elementary School - 13200 Chets Creek Blvd.
- Chimney Lakes Elementary School - 9353 Staples Mill Drive
- Don Brewer Elementary, 2281 Hartsfield Road
- Greenland Pines Elementary - 5050 Greenland Road
- Kernan Trail Elementary, 2281 S. Kernan Blvd.
- Landmark Middle School - 101 Kernan Blvd.
- LaVilla School of the Arts - 501 N. Davis St.
- Mandarin Middle School - 5100 Hood Road
- Mandarin Oaks Elementary, 10600 Hornets Nest Road.
- Oceanway Elementary, 12555 Gillespie Avenue
- Sabal Palm Elementary School - 1201 N. Kernan Road
- Twin Lakes Elementary, Twin Lakes Academy - 8000-50 Point Meadows Drive
If you do not see a shelter listed for your area contact the American Red Cross at 904 358-8091 or 1-888-843-5748 for the shelter location nearest you.
I have Special Needs. Is there anything I should do?
Yes. See the City of Jacksonville, Special Needs page. Also, if you are deaf or hard of hearing, NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts can alert you on special receivers.
Local Emergency Telephone Numbers
As with any emergency numbers, call them to make sure they are up to date BEFORE YOU NEED THEM.
DUVAL County Emergency Numbers:
Any Life Threatening Emergency 911
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (non-emergency) 904-630-0500
Emergency Operations Citizen Information Center 904-630-2472
American Red Cross (local) 904-358-8091
JEA (To report a power outage) 904-665-6000
CLAY County Emergency Numbers:
Clay County Sheriff (904) 284-7575
Emergency Operations Center 1-877-252-9362, or (904) 284-7703
Orange Park Police Dept (904) 264-5555
Orange Park Fire Dept (904) 264-3411
Public Health Dept (904) 269-6340
Medical Center (904) 276-8500
Public Safety/ Emergency Management (904) 284-7703
SAINT JOHNS Country Emergency Numbers:
Emergency Management (904) 824-5550
BAKER County Emergency Numbers:
Emergency Operations Center (904) 259-6111
NASSAU County Emergency Numbers:
Emergency Operations Center (904) 491-7550
State/National Emergency Telephone Numbers
As with any emergency numbers, call them to make sure they are up to date BEFORE YOU NEED THEM.
Florida Emergency Information Line 800-342-3557
American Red Cross (national) 866-GET-INFO
Florida Disaster Assistance Insurance Hotline 800-22-STORM
Hotel Information 800-287-8598
Attorney General's Price Gouging Hotline 800-435-7352
It's coming now, what do I do?
Before
- Secure you home and property.
- Cover windows with plywood or shutters.
- Secure or bring inside outdoor furniture and ornaments and planters.
- Put rugs and furniture in a high place in case of flooding.
- Unplug all appliances; turn off gas, water and electricity at the main(s).
- Sink pool furniture in the pool.
- Check door locks and bolts.
- Fill your bathtubs with water (to use to flush toilets and wash dishes, etc.)
- Gather disaster supply kit and keep handy.
- Take kit with you if you evacuate.
- Fill up your gas tank because gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.
- Store extra gasoline in approved containers.
- Make sure your vehicle in mechanically sound.
- Know the safest locations within your house and keep your internal supplies there.
- Know which of your neighbors have medical experience. Which may need assistance.
- Install battery powered emergency lighting in key areas.
- Have each family member carry a family photo showing all members of the family present.
- Make sure you already know where to shut of your electricity, water, gas, et cetera should the need arise.
- If you use medication that requires refrigeration, most can be kept in a closed refrigerator for several hours without a problem. If unsure, check with you physician or pharmacist.
- Cordless phones and answering machines require electricity, so you may want to purchase a standard telephone handset. In some cases, even when the power goes out, phone lines are still operational.
- Establish a rally point, in case of seperation. Have a secondary rally point in case the first is unreachable.
During
- Stay indoors - find the safest room in your home away from windows and stay there.
- During power outages, use flashlights not candles (fire hazard).
- Do not run a generator inside your home or garage (Carbon Monoxide danger).
- If the power goes out - turn off or disconnect any appliances, equipment (like air conditioners) or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, it may come back with momentary "surges" or "spikes" than can damage equipment such as computers and motors in appliances.
After
- If you have evacuated, be patient with re-entry. Do not attempt to return until told to do so by local authorities.
- Beware of outdoor hazards like dangling or downed power lines.
- Walk or drive carefully. Debris-filled streets can be dangerous and washouts may weaken streets and bridges.
- Do not use water until told by authorities that it is safe.
- Guard against spoiled food.
- Take steps to protect damaged property with temporary repairs and secure your home to prevent looting.
- Be sure to leave information for insurance representatives to reach you if you leave your home.
- Contact your out of area family members to assure them you are alright.
Is there anything else I can do?
Be "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;"
Romans 12:12, King James Authorized Version
"For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease."
Job 14:7, King James Authorized Version
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