St. Johns County is divided into Evacuation Zones based on elevation (how high above sea level) and how likely an area is to become inundated by storm surge.
St. Johns County Evacuation Zones are: A, B, C, D, E or F.
In St. Johns County most low-lying areas along the coast are designated evacuation zone “A”. That means those areas are likely to be inundated by a hurricanes storm surge of 6.5 feet or more. The zones progress inland (B, C, D and E) as you get further away from the coast and higher in elevation. Zone F is a little different as it accounts for areas subject to hazardous flooding or other hazards of critical concern. For more information on this please review Understanding Hurricane Evacuation Zones listed under Evacuation / Sheltering – Zone Descriptions.
During an evacuation mobile home residents will be ordered to evacuate regardless of their evacuation zone. If you believe your home would be unsafe in a hurricane you should evacuate early or when mobile homes are ordered to evacuate.
Please take the time to review the Evacuation Zone Map
Evacuation Orders
An Evacuation Order means that life-threatening conditions are possible in your area soon. This should be taken seriously. You will not be ordered to evacuate unless there is a real threat to your well-being, or you might become stranded where help could not reach you. Don’t second guess government and emergency officials. When you are told to evacuate, do so immediately. Your safety, and the safety of others depends on following instructions. Evacuation saves lives.
Keep the following in mind if your area receives an Evacuation Order:
- Have a meal before you evacuate to a shelter or out of the area.
- Follow the instructions and advice of your local government. If you are advised to evacuate, do so. There is no point in waiting. This will help you avoid traffic jams and rising water.
- If certain travel routes are specified or recommended, use them.
- Decide where you and your family will stay during the disaster.
- Double check the supplies in your “Emergency Kit”.
- Know your evacuation routes and the safest roads inland.
- Tell someone (outside of the storm area if possible) where you are going.
- While shelters are available in a disaster, officials urge those with other options open to them – such as a friend’s or relative’s inland home, or a motel – to go there rather than a shelter.
- Plan to evacuate if you live in a mobile home.
- Plan to evacuate if you live on the coastline, on a offshore island, near a river, in a flood plain or in a high-rise building.
If you must go to a shelter:
- Learn the locations of the shelters in St. Johns County and what route to take to get there. Shelter openings will be announced over television and / or radio and will be one or more of the public schools within our County. Which schools are opened will depend on the type of disaster situation we are facing. The schools that will be opened as shelters may not be the school nearest your home.
- Eat before you leave. Meals may not be available at the shelters for the first 24 hours.
- Bring the items listed on the “Emergency Checklist” which you can print from this site.
- Turn off gas appliances at their individual shut-off valves inside your home.
- Take important documents and insurance papers with you.
- Bring ID. You may need to show proof of residence to re-enter an evacuation area once the all clear is given.
For more information please visit St. Johns County Emergency Management Evacuation Info