Entire city of St. Augustine ordered to evacuate

St. Johns County has ordered the evacuation of the entire city of St. Augustine as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida.

The order also covers 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.

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

“There’s going to be a time when we will not be able to get in and rescue you,” St. Augustine spokesperson Melissa Wissel said. “Get to higher ground.”

People who have experienced flooding in previous storms should leave as soon as possible, she said.

Separately, St. Johns County issued a mandatory evacuation order for all health care facilities, including assisted-living facilities, in Evacuation Zones A, B, and F (south of State Road 206), effective at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Those areas are generally near the Atlantic Coast and the St. Johns River.

The evacuations include the Allegro facility in St. Augustine. Residents are being moved to Allegro’s facility in Fleming Island.

“The early issuance of this mandatory evacuation order for health care facilities is to facilitate the coordination of logistics and transportation, ensuring patients and residents in these healthcare facilities continue to receive care,” the announcement said.

A complete map of evacuation zones, a list of shelters and additional emergency planning information can be found at www.SJCEmergencyManagement.com .

Three storm shelters will open Wednesday 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.

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