By Cindy Jackson
August 31, 2019
At a special meeting of the Board of County Commissioners at 10:30am this morning, the Board voted by a 5-0 to declare a local state of emergency for Nassau County. Such a declaration, among other things, relaxes the rules governing the expenditures of funds. Such a declaration can be cancelled at any time and can be extended in seven-day intervals.
It was also announced that the Emergency Operations Center will go to a Level 1 at 6:00am Sunday morning.
There is a voluntary evacuation plan for residents in Zone A. Shelters in the area of Zone A will open this evening. Detailed information on evacuation zones can be found on the County’s website. https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/986/Hurricane-Information. An Emergency Preparedness Guide can be downloaded at http://www.nassaucountyfl.com/DocumentCenter/View/15049/Citizens-Disaster-Preparedness-Guide?bidId=.
In relaying the information received during an 8am conference call with the National Weather Service, County Manager Mullin announced that the track of the storm had changed, to the benefit of residents in Nassau County.
The Director of Emergency Management Greg Foster noted that the most recent model has Hurricane Dorian hitting off the coast (by about 80 miles) as opposed to up the center of Amelia Island (which was the thought late yesterday). Foster stated our area is expected to still get heavy rains and tropical storm force sustained winds of 100 miles per hour and gusts of 120 miles per hour but that we are now expected to be on “the weak side of the storm.” Foster also stated estimated rainfall is now in the range of 5-8 inches.
Other announcements included:
• schools will be closed Tuesday (September 3) and
• official county meetings scheduled for Monday, September 2 would be postponed
• shelters will be open this evening (Saturday, August 31, 2019) between 6 and 8pm
• Hilliard Middle/Senior is the special needs shelter which is pet friendly and
• Hilliard Elementary is the general population shelter
Callahan shelters, would be the next to open, if conditional merit.
Editor’s Note: Born in Hagerstown, Maryland, Cindy received her BA in Political Science from Dickinson College. Upon graduation, Cindy began her career on Capitol Hill working as a legislative aide and director. She later became a part of the public relations and lobbying team of the American Iron and Steel Institute and served as director of the office of state legislative affairs for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Cindy was involved in economic development with the state of Maryland, and served as executive director of Leadership Washington County. As a community volunteer, Cindy participates in numerous volunteer activities serving as a member of Sunrise Rotary, and as board member of Cummer Amelia Board of Directors.
What some is Hilliard Fl one block behind Dixie motel