Based on the latest forecast from the U.S. National Weather Service – Jacksonville (NWS Jacksonville), St. Johns County Emergency Management is preparing for the possibility of a severe wind event that could see sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph and wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph, primarily between 2 to 7 p.m. Jan. 9. St. Johns County is at “enhanced” risk for severe thunderstorms and isolated tornadoes, according to NWS Jacksonville.
Now is the time to prepare for this weather event by securing or bringing inside any loose outdoor items, such as trash cans, lawn furniture, and holiday decorations. This is expected to be a fast-moving, short-duration wind event. As of the latest forecast, heavy rainfall is not anticipated for St. Johns County, but this is an evolving system subject to change. St. Johns County will provide an additional update tomorrow by noon.
Due to the potential for severe wind conditions, St. Johns County will not collect yard waste Jan. 9, allowing service providers to focus on quickly completing garbage and recycling collection. Garbage and recycling collection service providers will begin their routes at 5 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. to help ensure routes are completed before the potential wind event begins. St. Johns County asks residents to secure or bring inside trash and recycling bins as soon as possible after collection is completed to ensure bins do not get blown into the street or damage property due to winds.
Following the wind event, residents are asked to follow the Yard Waste Collection Guidelines available at www.sjcfl.us/SolidWaste/YardWaste.aspx to ensure efficient yard waste collection in the coming days. Residents who would have had their yard waste collected on Tuesday, Jan. 9, can bring it to the Tillman Ridge or Stratton Road Transfer Stations free of charge.
As a reminder, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office monitors bridges within St. Johns County and has the authority to close bridges in the event that sustained winds reach 40 mph. While this wind event may see gusts reach or exceed 40 mph, sustained winds at or above 40 mph are not anticipated at this time, and therefore, bridges are not anticipated to be closed.
St. Johns County Emergency Management encourages the public to stay informed through these options:
• Follow St. Johns County Emergency Management on Facebook (www.facebook.com/StJohnsEOC) and X/Twitter (twitter.com/StJohnsEOC).
• Sign up for the Alert St. Johns emergency notification system at www.alertstjohns.com (ensure the notification settings selected allow you to be alerted at all times for your safety).
• Register for Nixle Alerts by texting StJohnsEOC to 888777.
