Hurricane, Storm Surge Watch & Local State of Emergency Issued

St. Johns County officials called a news conference Monday to warn of “potentially the largest evacuation in Florida since Hurricane Irma” in 2017, as Cat 5 Hurricane Milton prepares to assault Florida from the west.

“Evacuation orders may be issued tomorrow”, said St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners Chair Sarah Arnold, who warned county residents to take proactive steps now “if you feel it is necessary”,

“If evacuation is in your plans, then you should be heading northbound right now”, St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick joined in warning before a Facebook audience and a small clutch of reporters.

“It’s coming, no ifs, and, or buts”, he said, referring to Milton.

Hardwick singled out county Zones A, B, and F for potential evacuation. Zone A, shown above on the right, includes residents of Marsh Creek, whose closest path off the island is State Road 312.

While forecasting clogged northbound roads Tuesday as residents anticipate or react to any possible evacuation orders, Hardwick issued the customary warning that bridges into St. Augustine may close early, based on wind intensity and each bridge’s structural integrity limits.

Schools will remain open all day Tuesday and then shut down for the remainder of the week.

Potential Matanzas River Flooding

Hurricane Milton is now at Cat 5 strength with damaging winds and an expected monstrous tidal surge that will wreak havoc on Florida’s west coast.

St. Johns Country will experience tropical storm winds with possible sustained gusts to hurricane strength. Flooding remains the biggest risk to our area with localized heavy rainfall – possibly more than a foot – Tuesday through Wednesday night that will bring the risk of considerable flooding, and the potential for moderate to major river flooding.

St. Johns County has scheduled its next news conference on potential evacuations at 12 noon Tuesday.