At 6am this morning, St. Johns County’s partial evacuation plan got underway affecting St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, Ponte Vedra and areas along the St. Johns River – Zones A, B, and part of F. Residents in those areas, including Marsh Creek, were advised to leave and seek shelter on the mainland.

The MCOA reports Marsh Creek gates were unmanned as of 6am this morning.

Garda, our security company, has notified us that the Guard Houses will be unmanned, and gate arms removed as of 6am this morning due to the Evacuation Notice for Anastasia Island. The St Johns County Sheriff’s Office has been notified and extra patrols requested.

Overnight, Hurricane Ian developed into a Category 4 Hurricane leaving serious damage across Cuba and a total loss of power on the island.

At this writing, the system has winds of 155 mph with gusts to 190 mph as it approaches Naples, on Florida’s southwest coast. Its effects are already being felt in March Creek. Overnight, outer rain bands brought heavy downpours to the community along with wind gusts and downed tree limbs.

The 5am advisory from the National Hurricane Center reads:

...AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTERS FIND IAN HAS STRENGTHENED INTO AN
EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE...
...EXPECTED TO CAUSE LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGE, CATASTROPHIC
WINDS AND FLOODING IN THE FLORIDA PENINSULA...

The biggest threat to north Florida remains the potential for flooding from rainfall and storm surge. In our area, we are expecting between 10-15 inches of rainfall.

Ian will begin to weaken once it makes landfall, but then steer a slow path northeast bringing heavy rains and a tidal surge that will impact properties along St. Augustine Beach and marsh-front properties in our community.

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to
the right of the center, where the surge will be accompanied by
large waves.  Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing
of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short
distances.

By 2am Friday, the system is forecast to push out into warm Atlantic waters and rake St. Augustine as it moves north into Georgia and the Carolinas. Depending on the tides at the time, the storm surge could be devastating along the coast.

Winds will increase throughout today to Tropical Force strength, with gusts potentially to hurricane force strength.

CLICK HERE for the Spoonbill Courier Hurricane Season Preparations page.