As Hurricane Milton edges closer, the City of St. Augustine braces for impact with a series of closures and safety measures, announced yesterday. According to an official alert by the City of St. Augustine, administrative offices and operations facilities will halt public interactions today, and tomorrow, aiming to resume regular business by Friday.
The St. Augustine Municipal Marina has shut down the mooring field north of the Bridge of Lions and halted all services, with plans to remain closed until Friday, a plan potentially set back if marina damage is sustained, "If there is damage to the marina, available services may be delayed longer," the City of St. Augustine communications director, Melissa Wissel, is quoted saying in the official release. An evacuation order is also in effect for all city residents starting at 8:00 am today, with shelters opening concurrently. The full details on evacuation zones, shelter listings, and emergency planning are available at the St. Johns County Emergency Management's website.
In the aftermath of Milton’s approach, St. Augustine’s residents are reminded to separate their storm debris into distinct piles for collection: household goods, brush and yard waste, and construction debris must not be mixed. The residents are also strongly advised against driving through flooded streets to prevent additional water damage to homes and businesses due to the wake created by vehicles, as stated in the city's announcement. Questions can be directed to the St. Johns County Emergency Management Citizen Information Line at 904.824.5550, which is available around the clock.
Further updates on Hurricane Milton's progress, as well as city-specific information, will be communicated through the city's official website, and residents are encouraged to stay informed. For media inquiries, the point of contact remains Melissa Wissel, reachable at 904.293.3307 or via email at [email protected].
