Duval County’s local emergency preparedness measures are always being improved and updated. This includes a significant change in the statewide approach to evacuation zones. In the past, evacuation zones have been primarily based on the category of the approaching storm. New scientific data that includes other factors, such as wave action, precipitation, and areas known to flood, has allowed us to better define evacuation zones for Duval County. Evacuation zones are based on a lettering system, with A,B,C,D,E, and F Zones.
Because of the unique interaction of river systems with the Atlantic Ocean, our evacuation zones are more complex than those in most counties. The City of Jacksonville and Duval County Emergency Management have worked closely with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, North East Florida Regional Planning Council, and public safety experts to provide our community with the most up-to-date maps available.
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The City of Jacksonville and Duval County Emergency Management encourage you to determine your zone on the accompanying map and make advance plans for you and your family. In the event of an approaching storm, local government will work with the National Weather Service and other partners to provide you with specific information on which zones need to evacuate while simultaneously ensuring you have the best available information about the possible effects of the storm in your specific area.
Knowing what evacuation zone you are located in could be a matter of life or death in a disaster. The areas located in Zone A are the most vulnerable to the factors listed above and will be the first to be evacuated, including manufactured homes/mobile homes. As storm effects intensify, the level of evacuation will be increased moving from level B to E. Zone F is different because it accounts for areas likely to flood from rainfall or other hazards of concern. Knowing your zone allows you to evacuate when the time comes. If you believe your home would be unsafe in a hurricane you should evacuate early. The majority of Duval County’s low lying areas are along the coast and rivers.
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