ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – In response to the projected track of Hurricane Matthew, St. Johns County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for 6 a.m. on Thursday for residents living in Evacuation Zone A and parts of Evacuation Zone B.
At a special press conference Wednesday night, county officials, including the administrator, sheriff's office and fire rescue, also say that the entire City of St. Augustine should evacuate.
Storm surges are expected to be as high as 6 to 8 feet with waves much higher.
If you live east of the Intracoastal waterway, including Ponte Vedra Beach, South Ponte Vedra Beach, Vilano Beach, St. Augustine Beach, Butler Beach, Crescent Beach and Summer Haven, you must evacuate.
Residents located along the St. Johns River and west of State Road 13 including the town of Hastings are to evacuate as well - including residents who live south of the Northeast Florida Regional Airport east of U.S.1 to the county line.
If you live in a bot, RV or mobile home anywhere in St. Johns County you must also evacuate.
People who can evacuate but aren't using a shelter should evacuate as soon as possible.
This fire chief is great. Walking up to every person out here telling them to leave before it's too late! Says impact will be catastrophic. pic.twitter.com/7g9r7ZVdaM
— Shelby Danielsen (@NewsShelby) October 6, 2016
The following informational items are based on current knowledge of the projected path for Hurricane Matthew and could change depending on the storm’s evolution:
• Local State of Emergency: In preparation for Hurricane Matthew, St. Johns County has declared a Local State of Emergency in order to access federal and state resources.
• Emergency Shelters: Shelter locations will be opened in conjunction with the official evacuation order beginning at 6 a.m. on Thursday, October 6. The following shelters will be operational at that time:
Pacetti Bay Middle School, 245 Meadowlark Lane (Special needs)
Timberlin Creek Elementary School, 555 Pine Tree Lane (Pet-friendly)
Bartram Trail High School, 7399 Longleaf Pine Pkwy (General population)