News

Schools close, emergency centers open as Fay approaches

Baker County

Schools will be closed Thursday and Friday. Parents are advised to call their children's school on Sunday afternoon to get an updated report on Monday classes.
All County offices, the courthouse, and the Health Department will be closed Thursday and Friday.
The Baker County Supervisor of Elections has announced that early voting has been suspended for Friday but will be re-opened on Saturday.

MACCLENNY, FL - Baker County officials held a meeting at the Emergency Operations Center Wednesday afternoon to discuss preparations for Tropical Storm Fay. Representatives from the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, county commission, City of Macclenny, Council on Aging, and others were on hand to fine tune the county and city response to the storm.

Officials and representatives from Baker County met Wednesday afternoon at the EOC to discuss preparations for Tropical Storm Fay.

Baker County is currently under a flood watch and wind advisory through Friday afternoon. Winds at 30-40 MPH should peak Friday morning. Anticipated rainfall is a minimum of 3-6" depending on the severity of Fay when it passes through the area.

The main concern locally is flooding in low lying areas and possible power outages. However, law enforcement and fire personnel have boats and ATV’s on the ready if needed to evacuate people. According to Sheriff Joey Dobson there are no mandatory evacuations at this time, however, those residing in low-lying or flood-prone areas are encouraged to seek shelter.

"The EOC is staffed and will remain open until the storm passes through the area," said Chief Chuck Brannan of the Baker County Sheriff’s Office. All emergency lines and up and operating. The 653-HELP number is now online for obtaining up-to-date information.

Superintendent Paula Barton announced earlier in the day that schools will also be closed on Thursday. Due to the uncertainly of Fay schools will also be closed on Friday. Parents are advised to call their schildren's school on Sunday afternoon to get an updated report on Monday classes.

County Manager Joe Cone announced that all county offices will be closed Thursday. Court dockets will be cleared and the court will also be closed according to Judge Joey Williams.

The First Baptist Church of Glen St. Mary has opened their facilities for an emergency shelter at 8 p.m. if needed. Fraser Hospital will be opening a special needs shelter and will also be open for medical needs.

Bradford County

Due to the expected winds up to 39mph and 6" – 12" of rain, Bradford County Schools will be closed Thursday. A decision regarding Friday will be made by noon on Thursday.

The Bradford County Court system will be closed Thursday and Friday. All Bradford County government offices and scheduled meetings will also be closed or canceled Thursday and Friday. This includes the Bradford County Library, Ag Center, and the Elections Office; however, Early Voting will continue in the North Wing of the Courthouse through Saturday during the regular hours of 8:30am until 4:30pm.

Anyone living in a mobile home or in lowlying areas is under an advisory. Please continue to closely monitor local weather stations and radio for updates. Sandbags are available across from Starke City Hall on Thompson Street or by calling 966-6336.

Bradford County Emergency Management and the Bradford County School Board will open two shelters Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. Special Needs: SouthSide Elementary if you are not registered, please call 904-966-6336 General Population: Starke Elementary Please call 904-966-6336 with any questions concerning shelter operations.

**Registered Sex Offenders must register and shelter at RMC SR 231, Lake Butler Florida** Please contact your probation/parole office for additional information, or the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office904-966-6380.

Clay County

A citizen’s information line remains active. The number is 1-800-246-3320 and activity has been steady. Information related to storm status, government and school closings, protective actions, utility concerns, sand bag availability and trash pickup is available through this line.

Clay County Schools and School Board facilities will be CLOSED on Thursday, August 21 and on Friday, August 22.

County Manager Fritz Behring has issued a local state of emergency for Clay County effective Wednesday morning. The county Emergency Operations Center has been staffed at a "Level 2" status meaning that key staff members have monitored and begun planning for the potential arrival of the tropical storm.

A citizen's information line has been established to answer questions regarding current actions, closing of schools and governmental offices, and the potential opening of shelters in Clay County. The number is 1-800- 246-3320.

Columbia County

The Citizen's Information Center is operational 24 hours a day. The telephone number is 719-7530.
Columbia County Schools will be closed on Friday.
Wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour are possible today, tonight into Friday. Our biggest threat appears to be for localized flooding with predictions of 5-10 inches of rain with the potential for higher totals in some areas.

The Columbia County Emergency Operations Center will go to a Level 1 (full activation) status beginning at 8 a.m. on Thursday morning and will continue in that mode until any threat from Tropical Storm Fay has moved away from the area.

The Citizen's Information Center (CIC) is currently being manned from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. and can be reached at 719-7530. Starting on Thursday morning at 8 a.m. the CIC will operate on a 24-hour basis until the threat of Fay has passed. Please do not call 911 with questions about the tropical storm and restrict calls to only an emergency situation.

Columbia County Schools will be closed on Friday.

The National Weather Service update at 11:15 a.m. forecasts the track of Fay will pass through southern Columbia County on Friday morning. The path of Fay remains subject to a high degree of uncertainty and residents should stay aware of update over the next 36-48 hours.

The current weather update calls for up to a 1/2 inch of rain today. The forecast for Thursday predicts as much as two inches of rain. The Friday outlook calls for rainfall between 4-10 inches in the Suwannee River Valley area. There will remain the chance of an isolated tornado.

Winds will still have the potential of gusts to 25-35 miles per hour. The inland tropical storm warning was dropped at 11 a.m. this morning.

Residents are urged to be aware of the potential for isolated flooding and to avoid driving through flooded roads.

Duval County

Jacksonville announced a state of emergency Wednesday morning in response to Tropical Storm Fay closing schools Wednesday and Thursday and opening several shelters around the county.

Mayor Peyton says the city will be prepared for power outages, damage from debris, heaving rains, flood and wind. Bridges in the Jacksonville area will be closed if sustained winds from Tropical Storm Fay reach 40 mph.

Nassau County

All Nassau County schools will be closed on Thursday However, district offices will be open and 12-month employees should report to work. A decision has not yet been made about school on Friday. Parents should expect an automated phone message tomorrow announcing whether schools will be open.

An emergency shelter will open Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. at Yulee High School. While no evacuation orders have been issued, resident in low-lying or flood-prone areas are encouraged to seek shelter as the storm approaches. Nassau County remains under a tropical storm warning, flood watch, flood warning and wind warning through Thursday night.

The county's emergency phone line is open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at 548-4980 or 1-800-958-3494.

Union County

All Union County Schools will be closed THURSDAY and FRIDAY of this week.

Sheriff Whitehead reminds motorists to use great caution when driving in inclement weather and to try and avoid being on the roads other than necessary. If you have any questions or special needs during this storm, you can call the Sheriff's emergency operations center at 496-4300