Q: Can you shed any insight on the recent active hurricane season?
A: It’s a myth that hurricanes are just during the summer, but hurricane season runs through Nov. 30 — and in fact the most active part of the season is historically near the end. I’d like to thank the community for their response to our orders.
As soon as a storm is on our radar, we activate the Incident Management Team, which consists of agency employees with additional duties who are activated internally. We work hand in hand with St. Johns Fire and Rescue as the Emergency Operations Center activates. We work in partnership before the storm, during the storm, and post storm.
Q: What is important to know about a mandatory evacuation?
A: This term is necessary to require the evacuation of critical structures like hospitals, senior care facilities and in-patient treatment facilities. Their evacuation is mandated once we invoke this term.
We are not out threatening everyday people to leave their homes, but we do let them know that there could come a time when a first responder cannot get to them if they need help. We just want people to go to higher ground, which could still be in St. Johns County.
Q: What can you tell us about bridge closures?
A: Bridges are closed independently if winds of 40 mph or more are sustained at the bridge for a minute or more. Higher spanning bridges are more prone to these sustained gusts. Sometimes, bridges like the Bridge of Lions or the Shands Bridge are closed due to flooding downtown (Bridge of Lions) or washouts on one side or the other (Shands). It’s important to note that the SJSO can close a bridge, but only the Florida Department of Transportation can reopen the bridge after its inspection.
Q: What happens when you implement a curfew?
A: Curfews must legally be signed by the Board of County Commissioners, so I always get one signed in advance and then hold on to it until if and when needed. These are important for community safety as a curfew gives us the ability to enforce “no movement” during the curfew time.
Q: What advice do you have for the remainder of this hurricane season and next year?
A: Learn your evacuation zone. Discuss your storm plan with your family. Make copies of all of your critical documents to take to a safe place. Make sure you have your hurricane supplies for seven days. There is a great checklist of items to include on www.floridadisaster.org/. Make sure to also make a plan for your pets.
Also, be sure to sign up for alerts. You can text StJohnsEOC to 888777 to receive alerts via text or download the SJC Connect app. Finally, follow SJSO and Emergency Management on social media.
Q: What is the best way for our readers to contact you with any questions or suggestions about this article?
A: They can email me at sheriff@sjso.org or call me at (904) 824-8304. Also, our website, www.sjso.org has a wealth of resources, from alarm registration to Crime Stoppers to our Neighbors app.
