Potential storm prompts EM prep, cold-night shelter in city
LATEST UPDATE, 6:45 p.m.
"I'll be straight with you, this winter weather is not messing around," Sheriff Bill Leeper said in a video update shared by Emergency Management on Tuesday evening before temperatures dropped below freezing.
Leeper said Nassau County is expecting freezing rain and snow beginning at 7 p.m.
He said the Emergency Management team has been monitoring the storm since Friday and forecast have "only gotten worse."
Leeper said the most impacted parts of the County will be people on US 1, around Callahan and Hilliard. "You're likely to see the worst of it."
"We might have to suspend traffic on the US Coastal Waterway Bridge because of ice. The extreme cold could knock out power in some areas, and roads are going to get dangerous, really dangerous," Leeper said.
Leeper said if you don't absolutely need to go out, stay home, and think about what you will do if power goes out.
"Please take this seriously and take care of yourself and your neighbors," Leeper said.
The National Weather Service is showing the following conditions at Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport as of 6:35 p.m.: Light snow, fog/mist, 36 degrees fahrenheit. The wind chill is at 27 degrees.
Nassau County departments under the authority of the Board of County Commissioners also will be closed on Wednesday. The county announced the closure on its blog. Offices are expected to reopen for normal operations Thursday.
"Residents are urged to follow Nassau County Emergency Management for storm updates, including potential road closures, at www.onenassau.com or on social media at https://www.facebook.com/NassauEM," the county said in the update Tuesday.
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3:26 p.m.
Fernandina Beach said city offices will have a delayed opening Wednesday due to the expected winter weather. Offices will open at noon.
"While the City is not in a declared emergency, deteriorating conditions related to a winter storm are expected between 7 p.m. tonight and noon tomorrow," the city said on social media.
The city said "tonight's Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting and City Commission Regular Meeting will proceed as scheduled."
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3 p.m.
The Jacksonville International Airport will close following the "last departure" tonight. It is expected to reopen noon Wednesday.
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority provided the following statement Tuesday afternoon:
"Due to winter weather conditions expected to impact Northeast Florida, Jacksonville International Airport will close following the last departure this evening. The airport is anticipated to reopen at noon tomorrow. Travelers are encouraged to check flight status with their airlines for the most up-to-date information about their itineraries and for rebooking options."
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2:30 p.m.
Waste Management said Wednesday trash collection will be delayed until Thursday.
Fernandina Beach shared the following message from the City's sanitation partner Tuesday afternoon:
"Due to the inclement weather event beginning this evening and continuing into tomorrow, we will be delaying Wednesday trash collection for Residential, Roll Off, and Commercial collection until Thursday 1/23/25. We plan to resume collection on Thursday morning and will be operating on a one day delay through Saturday.
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1:20 p.m.
The Nassau County School District has announced all schools and district offices will be closed Wednesday and all after-school activities scheduled for this evening are canceled.
"The safety of our students, staff, and families is our top priority," the district said. "We are working closely with Nassau Emergency Management to monitor conditions and will share updates as they become available."
For more information, visit: Nassau.k12.fl.us.
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12 p.m.
Nassau County Emergency Management joined other Northeast Florida communities in preparation for potential wintry conditions expected tonight and into Wednesday morning.
Earlier today, EM said a Winter Storm Warning was in effect for Nassau due to expected snow, freezing rain and wintery mix of precipitation, expected after 7 p.m. today, through Wednesday morning.
In a statement to the News-Leader, Nassau County Emergency Management (EM) said residents could see potential traffic hazards if roads and bridges become icy.
EM said in preparation of the potential conditions, it has been coordinating with the county manager, city and town administrators, Nassau County School District superintendent, director of Department of Health, law enforcement administration, fire and rescue administration, National Weather Service (NWS) (Jacksonville) and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM).
“EM is closely monitoring the winter weather forecast and potential threats to our community. We have participated in NWS and FDEM coordination calls,” EM said. “Based on the forecast information shared, Nassau County residents (can) anticipate potential traffic hazards if roads/bridges ice over. This could result in road and bridge closures if they become unsafe for motorists to travel.”
EM said there is no set time for closures, but the highest chance for impacts is between sundown today until freezing temperatures subside Wednesday morning.
“Ice accumulation could threaten power infrastructure resulting in power loss. This threat is greater West of Interstate 95 and increases the further Northwest you proceed across our county,” EM said.
EM said it encourages people that do not have to travel during the impacts to stay home.
“We also encourage citizens to have a personal plan for potential power loss,” EM said. “As always Nassau County emergency services will respond to life-threatening situations, however, weather conditions may result in delayed response.”
Fernandina Beach opened a Cold Night Shelter on Sunday at the Martin Luther King Jr Recreation Center, at 1200 Elm St.
Today the city shared an update stating it was increasing its active hours due to expected severe weather. The doors open at 3 p.m. instead of the usual 6 p.m. The city said the shelter will be open until Friday.
Deputy City Manager Jeremiah Glisson said city staff will be joining Nassau EM at 2 p.m. today to discuss next steps.
Over the weekend, Emergency Management posted on social media informing the public that Nassau would be under a Winter Storm Watch for potential snow and freezing rain between late Tuesday through Wednesday morning.
EM suggested to be prepared by staying informed and monitoring forecasts; checking and stocking your emergency supply kits for your home and car; prepare you home and take necessary protective measures for your pets and livestock, pipes, plants and sensitive vegetation and family; plan for alternative power sources in case of power outages; fuel your vehicle; and consider adjusting travel plans.
To stay informed, visit www.onenassau.com/.
achandler@fbnewsleader.com