As waters were rising even before Tropical Storm Nicole hit Florida, Nassau County was ahead of the game, prepping for the potential flooding and high winds.
Evacuation orders were issued for zones A and D on Wednesday, Nov. 9. The county declared a local State of Emergency Nov. 8. There is also a State of Emergency in effect for Fernandina Beach.
Emergency notifications are kept up-to-date at onenassau.com.
At a press conference held Wednesday, Nov. 8, Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper made it clear that anyone who decides to remain in the area after an evacuation order has been issued is responsible to take care of themselves.
“We are not going to come drag you out of your house,” he said. “If you are in an evacuation zone and don’t leave, if is your responsibility to take care of yourself.”
Leeper said it was unclear at that time just when residents would be able to return after being evacuated, as it often depends on storm surges and flooding. This time around, experts are predicting surges to be anywhere from three to five feet. Residents and businesses who experienced flooding during Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Ian could potentially see flooding during Tropical Storm Nicole.
At the Board of County Commissioners meeting, Bobby Lippelman from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office shared updates on Tropical Storm Nicole from his office.
“We’re not gonna close the bridge,” he said when asked about the possibility of closing Shave Bridge. “There’s no expectation of that.”
He did add that if wind speeds rise above 39 mph, there could be a temporary stop to traffic over the bridge. Once wind speeds are under 39 mph again, however, traffic will resume.
On Wednesday, Emergency Management did not expect to issue any further evacuation orders aside from zones A and D. Lippelman did say it was difficult at that time to predict how long the storm conditions would last, again emphasizing Leeper’s point of the difficulties of predicting a timeline for those evacuated to return home.
At the press conference, both Leeper and Lippelman urged Nassau County residents to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from danger.
Flooded streets are a possibility with the storm surges from Nicole, and driving down those roads should be avoided. Leeper urged residents to “run from water, hide from wind.”
Lippelman reminded those staying in their homes of the importance of receiving notifications at any time of the day or night, recommending people should have multiple ways to receive such notifications set up.
As of Wednesday, the only shelter open in Nassau County is at 543350 US Highway 1 in Callahan. The MLK Recreation Center is open as a shelter for those without a home during the storm.
