The Emergency Management Division is reporting to Historic City News that all departments are proactively monitoring the progress of Tropical Storm Colin and preparing for the impact it will have on our community.

For the safety and well-being of residents and visitors, St. Johns County is taking several precautionary measures:

Emergency Management

The St. Johns County Emergency Operations Center is operating at a Level 3 monitoring status, and is actively observing the storm and any potential threats to the community. Emergency Management staff has been in close contact with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, National Weather Service Jacksonville, and the National Hurricane Center since Saturday and will remain at the Emergency Operations Center for the duration of the storm.

Sand Bags

St. Johns County is providing free sandbags at five locations throughout the County for the public in preparation for Tropical Storm Colin. The sand and the bags will be provided free of charge. Residents must provide their own transportation and shovels, and will be responsible for filling their own bags. There is a maximum allocation of 50 bags per person. The sand and bags are available between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 6 through Wednesday, June 8. For additional information, please call 904.209.0246.

•   Ron Parker Park – 607 Old Beach Road.
•   Sims Pit – 536 S. Holmes Boulevard.
•   Town of Hastings Town Hall – 6195 S. Main Street, behind the building.
•   Mills Field – 1805 Racetrack Road, in the overflow parking area.
•   Palm Valley – Under the Palm Valley Bridge on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Beaches Closed to Vehicular Access June 6 and 7

Vehicular beach access is prohibited on St. Augustine Beach, Crescent Beach, Butler Beach, Vilano Beach, and Porpoise Point through 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8. Beach gates are locked and all travel infrastructure will be removed for the duration of the storm. Additionally, trash and recycling cans are secured, and cones and signs are removed. Toll booths will also be closed during this time. The beaches will remain open to pedestrian visitors and vehicular access is subject to change with improved weather conditions.

Bookmobile Stops Cancelled on June 7

St. Johns County Public Libraries are cancelling all bookmobile stops for Tuesday, June 7.  Library staff will extend due dates for patrons using the date of the next stop, June 21. For questions or more information, please contact Extension Services Manager Harold George at 904.827.6928 or hgeorge@sjcfl.us.

Power Outages

To report power outages or receive information on power outages, residents are asked to contact their utility provider. Please do not call 911.

Road and Bridge

The St. Johns County Road and Bridge Division will remain staffed for response through midnight on Monday, June 6, and will continue to monitor debris and roadway conditions throughout the duration of the storm.

Marine Rescue

Red Flag conditions exist on all St. Johns County beaches and Marine Rescue is advising beachgoers to not enter the ocean. Lifeguards towers will not be staffed for the duration of the storm. However, Marine Rescue patrols will be occurring.

Summer Camp

A decision to cancel St. Johns County sponsored Summer Camps will be made in conjunction with the St. Johns County School System’s determination to hold or cancel summer school on Tuesday, June 7. If summer school is cancelled, Summer Camps will also be cancelled. All parents and guardians of summer camp participants will receive an email providing notification should cancellation occur.

The St. Johns County Emergency Management staff will remain in close contact with Historic City News as well as all county departments, including Public Works, Utilities, Parks and Recreation, and Fire Rescue, for the duration of the storm to monitor impacts to facilities, programs, and services.

Up-to-date storm response information will be posted at www.sjcfl.us, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SJCFL, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/StJohnsCounty and www.twitter.com/EOC, and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/St.JohnsCounty. For more information on storm preparedness, including evacuation zones and shelters, please visit www.sjcemergencymanagement.com.