As hurricane season approaches, St. Johns County steps up its game to ensure the safety and preparedness of its residents. According to an announcement made earlier today, county officials will be distributing 14,500 free sandbags to locals on a given set of dates. The move is designed to help community members get a head start on storm preparations before any hurricanes make landfall. The distribution will occur from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 24 at Butler Park West and Smith Road Storage Facility, Wednesday, June 25 at Solomon Calhoun Community Center and Vilano Beach Boat Ramp, and Thursday, June 26 at Mills Field and Palm Valley Bridge, as reported by St. Johns County Office of Public Affairs.
Vehicles can only pick up to 12 sandbags, with each weighing approximately 30 pounds. Officials urge residents to adhere to this limit to ensure the distribution can benefit the entire community equally. Proof of residency, such as a valid ID or a recent mailing letter, is required to receive the sandbags. The Public Works Road and Bridge Division will be on site, equipped with their recently invested sandbag-making machine, "to increase efficiency and serve more residents ahead of severe weather events," the St. Johns County Office of Public Affairs detailed. This effort marks the second consecutive year the county has offered such a proactive service.
Residents of St. Johns County are encouraged by officials to take additional measures to prepare for hurricane season. This includes getting to know their evacuation zone through the "My Evacuation Zone" tool available on the emergency management website, reviewing the 2025 Hurricane Preparedness Guide accessible online or at public libraries, and signing up for emergency alerts at AlertStJohns.com. The county also offers Nixle alerts, which can be received by texting StJohnsEOC to 888777, and social media updates through St. Johns County Emergency Management's Facebook page.
For an in-depth understanding of the county's hurricane response, residents can watch the "Inside SJC: EOC After Dark" video. It offers insights into how the County works tirelessly around the clock to provide services to the community during hurricane events. St. Johns County demonstrates a committed effort to keep its community informed and prepared for any storm that may come their way. To ensure residents are fully equipped, they are encouraged "to receive time-sensitive notifications by phone, email, or text" by registering for emergency alerts, according to the St. Johns County Office of Public Affairs.
