Hurricane Milton: Mayor Deegan Highlights Flooding and Storm Surge Concerns for Jacksonville

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Jacksonville’s Mayor Donna Deegan is concerned about flooding and storm surge as Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm, approaches the area. Duval County is under a Hurricane Watch, and residents are advised to finalize preparations. Significant rainfall and high winds are expected, leading to potential flooding in several neighborhoods. A local state of emergency will be declared, and residents are instructed to stay home and secure debris. Utility companies are preparing for possible outages with extended restoration times likely.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan has identified flooding and storm surge as the principal concerns regarding Hurricane Milton, which is projected to affect the region from Wednesday evening into Thursday morning. Unlike Hurricane Helene, which had different implications, Mayor Deegan highlighted the unique challenges posed by Hurricane Milton during a press conference. As of Monday evening, Duval County is under a Hurricane Watch. The forecast indicates that tropical storm force winds ranging from 40 to 50 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 60 to 70 mph, are expected throughout the county. Areas such as the beaches, Intracoastal regions along the St. Johns River, and high-profile buildings may experience stronger sustained winds, potentially reaching hurricane force. The mayor emphasized, “That’s what we’re most concerned about compared to what we were concerned about with Helene. Our ground is obviously already saturated. The river levels are elevated.” Deegan anticipates rainfall amounts between 4 to 6 inches, with some neighborhoods perhaps receiving up to 10 inches in a relatively short time frame. This substantial rainfall is expected to contribute to flooding, particularly in regions such as Ortega, Riverside, San Marco, Southampton, Downtown, and along the Trout River, Ribault River, and Moncrief Creek, with flooding levels projected to be between 2 to 4 feet. Mayor Deegan strongly urged residents to finalize their hurricane preparations by Tuesday evening and advised that they remain indoors on Wednesday. Residents living in flood-prone areas were encouraged to seek shelter on higher ground or in designated city shelters. In a move to bolster community safety, the mayor will declare a local state of emergency starting Tuesday at 8 a.m., coinciding with the full activation of the Emergency Operations Center. The local utility company, JEA, has indicated that their crews are prepared for potential storm impacts, advising customers to take precautions for possible power and water outages. Given the widespread impacts anticipated from Hurricane Milton, JEA acknowledged that restoration efforts may be prolonged compared to those during Hurricane Helene, as resources may be limited across the state. As a proactive measure, city offices will be closed from Wednesday to Friday, along with the Duval County Public Schools. JTA services will continue to operate as long as it is deemed safe, and the St. Johns River Ferry will conclude its routes at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday. Additionally, while solid waste pickup will proceed as scheduled on Tuesday, all collections for Wednesday and Thursday will be suspended. Thursday’s collection will be rescheduled to Saturday, with normal services expected to resume on Friday. Mayor Deegan concluded with a reminder to residents to secure any debris around their homes to prevent hazardous conditions during the storm. To further assist citizens, the mayor encouraged inquiries to be directed to the city’s hotline and suggested downloading the JaxREADY application.

Hurricane Milton, a formidable Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 180 mph, is poised to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The storm is expected to bring significant rainfall and winds to Jacksonville, raising concerns about flooding and storm surge. Mayor Deegan’s proactive response includes urging residents to prepare as the potential for flooding in already saturated regions poses a serious risk to public safety.

In summary, Hurricane Milton presents a significant threat to Jacksonville, with a focus on flooding and storm surge as primary concerns. Mayor Deegan emphasizes the importance of preparations and safety measures, instructing residents to remain vigilant as the storm approaches. Proactive steps are being taken by local officials and utility companies to manage the expected impacts, as the community braces for challenging weather conditions.

Original Source: www.news4jax.com

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