As Tropical Storm Debbie approaches Northeast Florida, Jacksonville city government and the Duval County Courthouse will be closed Aug. 5.
The start of early voting in Duval County also is being pushed back.
On Aug. 4, Debby was moving north in the Gulf of Mexico and the National Hurricane Center predicts it will become a hurricane. The storm is predicted to bring rainfall totals of 6 to 12 inches in Northeast Florida.
Here is more on closings and the impact of Debby:
City of Jacksonville
Because of the potential for heavy rain and flash flooding, Mayor Donna Deegan declared a local state of emergency beginning 8 a.m. Aug. 4.
City closings for Aug. 5:
• Jacksonville city offices closed.
• All Jacksonville Public Library branches closed.
• Huguenot Memorial Park and Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park closed.
• All city pools closed.
Duval County courts
• Chief Judge Lance Day ordered that the Duval County Courthouse be closed Aug. 5.
• All Duval County Clerk of Courts office are closed.
• Anyone who received a summons for jury service Aug. 5 is is excused and does not need to report to the courthouse.
• All online foreclosure and tax deed auctions scheduled during the closure are canceled.
Schools closed
• All Duval County School District schools and offices are closed Aug. 5. All on-campus events and athletic practices are canceled. Employees should plan to work remotely.
• All Clay County District Schools and offices will be closed.
Early Elections
Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland announced Aug. 4 that early voting for Duval County that was to start Aug. 5 will instead start Aug. 7.
The first five days of early voting are optional according to Florida statutes, the elections office said in a news release.
The Downtown elections office at 105 E. Monroe St. and the Elections Center at 1 Imeson Park Blvd. will be closed Aug. 5 but is expected to reopen Aug. 6.
Shelters
The city of Jacksonville is opening three emergency shelters at 5 p.m. Aug. 4:
• The Legends Center, at 5130 Soutel Drive, open for general population, special medical needs and pet-friendly.
• Landmark Middle School, 101 Kernan Blvd, open for general population, special medical needs and pet-friendly.
• LaVilla School of the Arts, 501 N. Davis St.
Bus service
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority says service will proceed Aug. 5 as long as it is safe to do so.