With the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season officially beginning on June 1, local families need to know what to do and where to go should the threat of a hurricane (or any disaster) become real.
The Ponte Vedra Recorder has pulled together a collection of resources to help readers prepare.
St. Johns County Evacuation Routes
Below is guidance on where St. Johns County residents should evacuate during an emergency situation.
Ponte Vedra Beach/Sawgrass: North on SR-A1A, turn west onto Butler Boulevard and proceed to I-95 or points west.
Palm Valley/Nocatee area: Proceed southwest to CR-210 and proceed to I-95 or points west.
On coast halfway between Mickler’s Landing and South Ponte Vedra Beach: North of Guana Dam, go north to SR-A1A and proceed west across Palm Valley Bridge on CR-210. South of Guana Dam, go south on SR-A1A and proceed west across Vilano Bridge. Continue west on SR-16 to I-95 or points west.
City of St. Augustine (mainland): North on US-1, turn west onto SR-16 or proceed southwest on SR-207 or south on US-1. Proceed to I-95 or points west.
City of St. Augustine (Davis Shores, Anastasia Island South to St. Augustine Alligator Farm): SR-A1A, proceed west across Bridge of Lions to US-1 North or US-1 South and/or to SR-16 or SR-207 to I-95 or points west.
City of St. Augustine and Anastasia Island north of the St. Augustine Amphitheater: Proceed north on SR-A1A across the Bridge of Lions and then go west.
City of St. Augustine and Anastasia Island south of the St. Augustine Amphitheater: Proceed south on SR-A1A, turn west on SR-312, proceed across 312 Bridge to SR-207 and proceed to I-95 or points west.
City of St. Augustine Beach: North to SR-312, proceed across 312 Bridge to SR-207 and proceed to I-95 or points west.
From the intersection of Ocean Trace Road and A1A to Crescent Beach: South on SR-A1A to Crescent Beach, turn west on SR-206, proceed across Crescent Beach Bridge to US-1 and proceed to I-95 or points west.
Crescent Beach to Flagler County Line: North on SR-A1A to Crescent Beach, turn west on SR-206, proceed across Crescent Beach Bridge to US-1 and proceed to I-95 or points west.
St. Johns River
SR-13 north of CR-210: Proceed east along CR-210 or Greenbriar Road to I-95; or north along SR-13 into Duval County; or east on Racetrack Road to areas outside the evacuation zone.
SR-13 north of CR-214: Proceed east along CR-208 or SR-16 to I-95; or west along SR-16 across the Shands Bridge; or east on CR-214 to areas outside the evacuation zone.
CR-13 South of CR-214: Proceed east along SR-207 or
SR-206 to I-95; or west along SR-207 into Putnam County; or east on CR-214 to areas outside the evacuation zone.
Source: St. Johns County Emergency Management
St. Johns County Shelters
In most cases, evacuation is the best option. But if this is not possible, one of the best ways to get prepared for hurricane season is by locating the evacuation shelters in your area.
Public Evacuation Shelters
Bartram Trail High School
7399 Longleaf Pine Parkway
St. Johns, FL 32259
Creekside High School
100 Knights Lane
St. Johns, FL 32259
Cunningham Creek Elementary
1205 Roberts Road
St. Johns, FL 32259
Durbin Creek Elementary School
4100 Race Track Road
St. Johns, FL 32259
Fruit Cove Middle School
3180 Race Track Road
St. Johns, FL 32259
Hickory Creek Elementary School
235 Hickory Creek Trail
St. Johns, FL 32259
Mill Creek Elementary School
3750 International Golf Parkway
St. Augustine, FL 32092
Osceola Elementary School
1605 Osceola Elementary Road
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Otis Mason Elementary School
207 Mason Manatee Way
St. Augustine, FL 32086
Patriot Oaks Academy
475 Longleaf Pine Parkway
St. Johns, FL 32259
Pedro Menendez High School
600 SR-206 West
St. Augustine, FL 32086
South Woods Elementary School
4750 SR-206 West
Elkton, FL 32033
*Pet-Friendly
Timberlin Creek Elementary School
555 Pine Tree Lane
St. Augustine, FL 32092
*Pet-Friendly
Special Needs
Evacuation Shelters
(Pre-registration strongly encouraged)
Freedom Crossing Academy
1365 Shetland Drive
St. Johns, FL 32259
Pacetti Bay Middle School
245 Meadowlark Lane
St. Augustine, FL 32092
Source: St. Johns County Emergency Management
Hurricane Checklists
One way to be prepared for a storm is by assembling a disaster supply kit.
Once disaster strikes, it is too late to shop or search for supplies. With supplies gathered in advance, families can endure an evacuation or home confinement.
Here are a few checklists to consider while preparing for this upcoming hurricane season:
ON THE ROAD
■ Cash | Credit cards
■ Important documents
■ Road maps
■ Jumper cables
■ Tire repair kit
■ Flashlight | Batteries
■ Battery-operated radio
■ Fire extinguisher
■ Blankets | Sleeping bags
■ Pillows
■ Toiletries
■ Medications
■ First-aid kit
■ Extra baby supplies
■ Non-perishable foods
■ Drinking water
■ Games | Books
AT HOME
■ Non-perishable foods
■ Drinking water
■ First aid kit
■ Medications
■ Cash | Credit cards
■ Flashlight | Batteries
■ Battery-operated radio
■ Manual can opener
■ Extra baby supplies
■ Games | Books
■ Fire extinguisher
■ Phone | Nonportable
■ Fill tub with water for sanitation
■ Porta-Pot | Well water users
AT THE SHELTER
■ Three-day supply of water
■ Three-day supply of non-perishable foods
■ Medications | Specialized supplies
■ Diabetics — Insulin | Small cooler for Insulin
■ Toiletries
■ Flashlight | Batteries
■ Pillows | Blankets
■ Sleeping bag | Egg crate mattress
■ Cot | Lawn chair
■ Important papers | Identification
■ Extra Clothing
■ Books | Magazines | Cards, etc.
■ Caregiver — If you have special needs
