Jax advised to hunker down as Hurricane Milton nears

Damaging winds and rain from Hurricane Milton will arrive on the First Coast today as the historic Category 4 storm plows toward the central Gulf Coast.

The National Weather Service in Jacksonville advised residents to hunker down and remain sheltered after midday. Hurricane shelters are opening across the region Wednesday morning.

Tropical storm-force winds of at least 39 mph are expected in Northeast Florida by Wednesday night. Rainfall of 1 to 8 inches is possible through Thursday night with potential for flash flooding.

After weakening briefly, Hurricane Milton rebounded Tuesday into a dangerous Category 5 hurricane before winds tapered off Wednesday morning. Landfall is expected somewhere between the Tampa Bay area and Sarasota, though the exact path is still hard to determine.

Milton’s maximum sustained winds were measured at 155 mph as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said. The hurricane’s wind field is expected to grow considerably as it moves across Florida.

Milton is expected to turn to the northeast and increase in speed slightly as it bears down on the Tampa Bay area Wednesday night, the National Hurricane Center said. The storm will likely remain at hurricane strength as it crosses the state to the East Coast on Thursday.

In Northeast Florida, the National Weather Service said winds of 58 to 73 mph are possible in Jacksonville and south into St. Johns County from Wednesday night through Thursday.

A hurricane warning remained in effect Wednesday morning from St. Lucie County north to Ponte Vedra Beach. The rest of Northeast Florida remained under a hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning.

JEA warned on Monday that it could take longer than usual to restore power because thousands of its utility crews remain stationed across the Southeast after helping with Hurricane Helene restoration efforts.

What does Milton mean for Jax area?

Minor fluctuations to the north or south of the current path could have large implications for Milton’s ultimate impacts, but the track becomes more certain the closer to landfall we get.

Jacksonville lay outside the forecast cone as of 5 a.m. Wednesday, but the storm’s expected path could still shift. The cone represents the potential path of the storm’s center; it is not intended to represent all areas that could be affected. Damaging effects are possible well outside the cone.

The Hurricane Center adjusted the cone slightly southward Tuesday but then nudged it back north as of 5 a.m. Forecasters warned that projections can be off by 40 miles with the storm’s arrival still 24 hours away.

The storm was expected to double in size by the time it makes landfall.

Heavy rainfall will pose a mounting threat for flash flooding this week. Milton was expected to bring 2 to 3 inches to Jacksonville, 4 to 6 inches to St. Augustine, and 6 to 8 inches to Palm Coast, the Weather Service said.

Deteriorating coastal and marine conditions, including a high risk of rip currents along the Atlantic Coast, and tidal flooding are also expected, especially within the St. Johns River basin.

Already weakened trees and limbs from Helene could lead to additional tree damage, the forecast says.

See the latest forecast here.

Jacksonville

Mayor Donna Deegan said Monday that flooding and storm surge will be the main concerns during Hurricane Milton. Winds could be similar to Hurricane Helene, but flooding could be a bigger problem because the ground is already saturated, she said.

The city has not ordered evacuations, but residents in manufactured homes, older homes and low-lying areas, especially with a heavy tree canopy, are encouraged to find a safer location or shelter.

Shelters: The following shelters will open at 8 a.m. Wednesday:

• Atlantic Coast High School , 9735 R. G. Skinner Parkway, open for special medical needs, pet-friendly.
• Chaffee Trail Elementary , 11400 Sam Caruso Way,) open for general population.
• The Legends Center , 5130 Soutel Drive, open for general population and special medical needs, and pet-friendly.
• Landmark Middle , 101 Kernan Blvd., open for general population, pet-friendly.
• LaVilla School of the Arts , 501 N. Davis St., open for general population.
• Arlington Middle School , 8141 Lone Star Road, open for general population.

Schools: Duval County Public Schools will close from Wednesday through Friday.

Parking: The following city-owned garages will be open Downtown starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday through Friday at no charge:

• Water Street, 541 Water Street.
• Ed Ball Building, 238 W. Monroe St.
• Yates Building, 200 E. Adams St.
• Duval Street, 33 W. Duval St.

JTA also will also open its Kings Avenue Garage, at 1201 Kings Ave., for free.

JTA: JTA will continue regular operations Wednesday and Thursday as long as it is safe. The last trip for the St. johns River Ferry will be at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday. As in the past, JTA will offer free rides to the city’s six shelters. It also will operate a shuttle from flood-prone Ken Knight Drive to the Legends Center starting Wednesday. Pickups will be every 15 to 30 minutes at the corner of Ken Knight Drive and Moncrief, Bus Stop No. 3991.

Garbage collection: Due to the volume of debris received from Hurricane Helene, some yard waste pickups are behind schedule. People are asked not to put any new storm debris on the curb at this time. Waste collection will remain on schedule as long as it’s safe on Wednesday. All collections will be suspended Thursday. Thursday collection for garbage and recycling will be rescheduled to Saturday. Friday collection is expected to occur as normal.

Power: JEA announced that it is continuing its suspension of disconnections for non-payment, begun after Hurricane Helene less than two weeks ago, in light of the new storm.

To report power outages during Milton:

1. Visit jea.com/outage to view JEA’s Electric Outage Map and report an electric or water outage
2. Call (904) 665-6000 to use the automated system
3. Text OUT to 69532 (MyJEA)

Blood collection: LifeSouth Community Blood Centers and OneBlood are urging the community to give blood now to help prepare, as blood collections will be affected during and after the storm. Donating ensures blood will be available to help patients suffering from traumas, cancers and chronic illnesses. All blood types are needed, especially type O donors and platelet donors.

For additional information, keep an eye on jaxready.com for updates from Duval County emergency managers.

Clay County

Clay County was preparing for flooding along Black Creek and the St. Johns River. No evacuations have been ordered, but people in low-lying areas and along Black Creek and the St. Johns were encouraged to relocate.

Shelters: Four shelters opened at 6 a.m. Wednesday:

• Orange Park High (pet friendly).
• Keystone Elementary (pet friendly).
• Lake Asbury Junior High (special needs).
• Wilkinson Elementary.

Schools: Clay County schools will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.

Garbage pickup: Crews will run pickups on Wednesday as long as it’s safe.

St. Johns County

St. Johns County ordered the evacuation of the entire city of St. Augustine as well as St. Augustine Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, and residents living on waterfront properties or in flood-prone areas.

The order will take effect at 8 a.m. Wednesday, the same time that emergency shelters will open:

• Special Medical Needs: Freedom Crossing Academy, 1365 Shetland Drive, St. Johns. ( Eligibility : Not all individuals are eligible to utilize the Special Medical Needs Storm Shelter. Space is reserved for those who rely on electricity for medical equipment or require oxygen therapy. The Special Medical Needs Storm Shelter is not a substitute for regular health care. Basic medical assistance and monitoring will be available, but individuals must come with a caregiver to ensure they maintain their accustomed level of care. Shelter staff will not be able to provide one-on-one care.)
• Pet Friendly: South Woods Elementary School, 4750 State Road 206 W., Elkton.
• General Population: Pedro Menendez High School, 600 State Road 206 W., St. Augustine.

Schools: St. Johns County schools will be closed Wednesday through Friday.

Garbage collection: Recycling collection is suspended through Friday. County officials said resources will be redirected to collecting yard waste. Garbage collection will remain on its regular schedule.

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