Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan said Sept. 24 that Duval County residents should prepare for “a major wind event” Sept. 26 when Helene hits the area.
Tropical Storm Helene is expected to become a major hurricane before it hits Florida’s Big Bend region later this week.
The National Weather Service said Duval County should expect tropical-storm-force winds of 40 mph or more before the storm quickly moves out of the area on Sept. 27.
The storm is expected to bring increased tornadic activity Thursday into Thursday evening for Duval County. There are also expected to be power outages and isolated flooding across the Jacksonville area.
“I don’t want anyone to take this storm lightly,” Deegan said.
Duval County Public Schools will be closed Sept. 26-27. All city of Jacksonville offices will also be closed on Sept. 26, but Deegan anticipates they will reopen Sept. 27.
The Duval County Courthouse will be closed Sept. 26, and all Duval County Clerk of Courts offices, including the Beaches branch at 1534 Atlantic Blvd. in Neptune Beach.
City shelters will open at 4 p.m. Sept. 26 at Atlantic Coast High School (special needs; pet friendly), Chaffee Trail Elementary, Legends Center And Gymnasium, Landmark Middle School and LaVilla School of the Arts. JTA will be providing transportation to shelters.
Deegan encouraged people living in trailers, older homes, or low-lying areas to consider going to a shelter.
Deegan said one of the biggest concerns is falling trees due to the ground being saturated from weeks of rain. The storm is expected to drop between 3-6 inches of rain on the area.
According to the National Weather Service, storm surge is not expected to be a major player, especially for coastal locations.
The city will be keeping solid waste pickup on schedule Sept. 26-27, as long as it is safe to do so, Deegan said.
Anyone with an issue is encouraged to call 904-630-CITY (904-630-2489) and visit JaxReady.com for updates.
Deegan will share the information she’s received on potential effects for Jacksonville and her recommendations for preparations ahead of the storm.
News4Jax.com is a Jacksonville Daily Record news partner.