Due to the approach of Hurricane Matthew, offices of the St. Johns County Tax Collector have run out of residential re-entry passes.
“The passes are useful but not necessary,” said St. Johns County Tax Collector Dennis W. Hollingsworth, CFC. “We provide these passes as a courtesy to facilitate entry, but other proofs of address will be accepted in the event of an evacuation.”
The following are acceptable forms of proof of residency to gain re-entry to the islands:
-Driver License
-Vehicle registration
-Utility Bill
Such identification is not necessary for residences or businesses in the main part of St. Johns County – only residences on the islands will be asked to provide proof of address to access the islands in the event an evacuation takes place.
Re-entry passes are still available for businesses located on the barrier islands. Business passes will only be provided to business owners or managers who bring in the current Business Tax Receipt to any location of the St. Johns County Tax Collector.
For additional information about re-entry to barrier islands after an evacuation, visit http://www.sjcemergencymanagement.org.
A hurricane evacuation map can be found here.
In addition, St. Johns County is providing free sandbags to residents in preparation of Hurricane Matthew at five locations throughout the county. The sand and bags are free. Residents must provide their own transportation and shovels and will be responsible for filling their own bags. Residents are allowed a maximum of 20 bags per person. The sandbags will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily throughout the duration of the inclement weather event at the following locations:
Ron Parker Park - 607 Old Beach Road.
Sims Pit - 536 S. Holmes Boulevard.
Town of Hastings Town Hall - 6195 S. Main Street, behind the building.
Mills Field - 1805 Racetrack Road, in the overflow parking area.
Palm Valley - Under the Palm Valley Bridge on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway.
For additional information regarding sandbags, call (904) 209-0246.
The Ponte Vedra Recorder will continue to post public safety updates as information becomes available.
