Update: August 22,2008-3:30 P.M.- Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles offers updated travel information.
As Tropical Storm Fay moves west toward the Panhandle, residents are bracing for heavy rains and potential flooding this afternoon. Many people are concerned about who to contact for updated travel information regarding the storm.
Please contact the Florida Emergency Information Hotline by calling 1-800-342-3557 to obtain current information regarding Tropical Storm Fay. The 800 number may be used by Florida residents and callers from out of state.
Residents may also contact their local emergency operation centers for additional information.
For real-time traffic and road condition reports, as well as maps and other safety tips, the public is urged to visit the FHP website at www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/. Florida drivers can also call 511 on their cell phone for up-to-the minute updates on traffic congestion, road construction, lane closures, severe weather and travel delays on Interstates and major highways.
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles encourages anyone with a valid Florida driver license or identification card to go online to http://www.flhsmv.gov/and enter their emergency contact information. This vital information gives law enforcement immediate access to this information in cases of an emergency, which makes it easier for them to contact a family member or friend.
DEP ISSUES EMERGENCY ORDER FOR TROPICAL STORM FAY
--Authorization enables expedited restoration of essential services--
TALLAHASSEE – To protect public health and safety, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Deputy Secretary of Regulatory Programs Mimi Drew today signed an Emergency Final Order in response to Tropical Storm Fay. The Order provides relief from some of the Department’s regulatory requirements to minimize environmental hazards and accelerate restoration in areas damaged by the storm.
“The emergency authorization allows repair and restoration to begin immediately in the affected areas, bringing faster relief to the communities and residents affected by Tropical Storm Fay,” said DEP Deputy Secretary Drew. “By issuing the Order, DEP is reducing regulatory process and providing flexibility for restoring services quickly in this time of critical need.”
The 60-day emergency authorization applies to governments, businesses and property owners across affected counties, allowing immediate rebuilding of damaged structures without prior Department notification. The Order will expedite the repair of damage to drinking water and wastewater facilities, along with cleanup of hurricane-generated debris and the restoration of natural areas such as dune systems, waterways and wetlands.
The emergency authorization currently covers hurricane recovery activities for:
Environmental Resource Permitting (wetlands) in Brevard, Volusia, Glades, Duval, Nassau, Flagler and St. Johns counties;
Beaches and Coastal Systems in St. Johns County from R-87 (South Ponte Vedra) to R-117 (Vilano) and from R-200 (Summer Haven) to R-209 (Flagler/St. Johns County Line);
Water and Wastewater Plants and Collection and Distribution Systems in St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Okeechobee, Volusia, Brevard, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns Counties; and
Waste Management (debris staging areas) in all counties.
Other areas may be added to the Order as the storm progresses westward across the state. The order will expire on October 15, 2008. Extensions may be granted if contractors or supplies are not available.
Field authorizations will be provided to replace destroyed structures; alter mangroves; restore uplands, wetlands and submerged lands and for other DEP-authorized activities not specified in the Order.
Visit www.dep.state.fl.us to view the Emergency Final Order and for more information on Tropical Storm Fay.
Update: August 22,2008-1:25 P.M. - August 23rd FWA meeting at Ponte Vedra Library cancelled.
Update: August 22, 2008 – 10:00 A.M. – St. Johns County has announced this revised schedule for garbage collection:
No garbage will be collected on Friday, August 22, due to severe weather.
Household garbage normally scheduled for Thursday and Friday will be picked up on Saturday, as long as wind conditions cooperate.
All yard debris and recycling will be picked up next week on the normal collection schedule.
CLOSINGS for FRIDAY, AUGUST 22
- Departments of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners – CLOSED
- Richard O. Watson Judicial Center and Court Operations – CLOSED
- St. Johns County Schools – all activities for staff and students are CANCELLED
- St. Johns County Tax Collector - CLOSED
- St. Johns County Property Appraiser – CLOSED
- All Early Voting – CANCELLED
- The “Boston” concert at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre previously scheduled for Friday night, August 22, has been cancelled. Call the Amphitheatre at 904-209-3750 for ticket refund information. The “G Love” concert is still scheduled for Sunday, August 24.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- St. Johns County Garbage Collection will continue as planned. Thursday routes will be collected on Friday, and Friday routes will be collected on Saturday.
- The St. Johns Sheriff’s Office will be open for all normal operations.
- The City of St. Augustine will be open.
- The City of St. Augustine Beach will be open.
Update: August 21, 2008 – 11:15 A.M.
The Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine is closed until further notice due to local flooding. An update will be given if any status changes.
Update: August 20th 2:37 P.M.
District-wide open house on Thursday is canceled. However, individual schools may schedule parent related activities on Friday, weather permitting. Principals will communicate by Alert Now with parents in regard to individual plans.
Update: August 20th 2:00 P.M.
Based on current weather forecasts and the unpredictability of Tropical Storm Fay, the St. Johns County School District has decided to postpone the opening of school until Monday, August 25.
In addition, all school and district offices will be closed on Thursday, August 21. The district wide Open House scheduled for Thursday morning has been canceled, along with any other previously scheduled events.
Friday, August 22, is expected to be a regular workday for teachers and staff.
Episcopal High School has cancelled all school activities Wednesday and Thursday.
The St. Johns County School District has been carefully monitoring the progress of Tropical Storm Fay. The district has also been in regular contact with the St. Johns County Emergency Operations Center.
Current updates are available on the News Alert section of the school district website at www.stjohns.k12.fl.us.
