Get a Kit

In an emergency, you may need to rely on your own supplies for several days. Being prepared means having
enough food, water, and essential items to last at least seven days.
Store your emergency supplies in airtight plastic bags and pack them into one or two easy-to-carry containers.
Some disasters may require you to shelter at home, while others may force you to evacuate. Be sure to bring your
emergency supply kit with you wherever you go.

Personal Items:

• Sleeping Bags and/or Pillows and Blankets
• Lawn Chairs/Folding Chairs
• Hot and Cold Weather Clothing
• Sturdy Closed-Toe Work Shoes
• Rain Gear
• Personal Hygiene (toothbrush,toothpaste, soap, deodorant, etc.)
• Medications (prescription and non-prescription)
• Spare Eyeglasses
• Hearing Aids
• Entertainment (cards, books, quiet games)
• Baby/Infant Needs (diapers,formula, baby food, etc.)

Food Needs:

• Drinking Water (one gallon per day per person for 7 days)
• Non-Perishable Food
• Manual Can Opener
• Juice/Soft Drinks/Instant Coffee or Tea/Dry Milk
• Lighter/Waterproof Matches
• Pots/Pans/Cooking Utensils
• Aluminum Foil
• Disposable Plates, Cups, and Cutlery
• Plastic Wrap/Ziplock Bags/Garbage Bags
• Cooler for Food Storage
• Cooler to Transport Ice

Pet/Service Animal:

• Water (one gallon per day for each animal)
• Food and Treats
• Food and Water Bowls
• Medications
• Vaccination and Registration Records
• Collar or Harness with ID Tag,
• Rabies Tag and Leash
• Cat Litter and Tray
• Plastic Bags for Pet Waste
• Current Photo of You and Your
• Pets
• Comfort Items (toys, bedding)
• Cage or Carrier for Each Animal

Miscellenaeous Items:

• Spare Keys
• Pen/Pencils and Paper
• Important Documents (identification, insurance policies, and account recordssaved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container)
• Keepsakes, Significant Photos
• Coins, Cash, and Credit Cards
• Maps and Evacuation
• Information
• Important Phone Numbers

Basic Safety:

• NOAA Weather Radio
• First Aid Kit With Instruction Book
• Battery Powered Television, Radio, and Clock
• Flashlights
• Battery Powered Lanterns
• Extra Batteries and Car
• Chargers for Electronics
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Two-Way Radios

Basic Tools:

• Basic Tool Kit (hammer, wrenches, etc.)
• Specialized Tools (for water, gas valves, etc.)
• Plastic Tarps or Roll Plastic
• Sheeting
• Assorted Screws and Nails
• Duct Tape
• Canvas or Leather Work Gloves
• Fire Extinguisher

Have a Plan

Preparing in advance is one of the best ways to keep your household safe. Disasters, including major events like hurricanes, can strike without warning and impact the entire community. Taking time now to make a plan helps ensure you and your family are ready to respond.

Create a Family Emergency Plan
Hold a family meeting to review the following questions:

• What is your escape plan? Know your evacuation zone and route.
• Do you have an emergency supply kit? Make sure it has enough to last 7 days.
• Where will you meet? Choose a primary and backup meeting location.
• How will you communicate? Phone service may be unreliable, so plan to use text messages or identify an out-of-area contact everyone can reach.
• Who is your out-of-town contact? Choose a trusted person outside your area for everyone to check in with and share their status.
• Does your plan include everyone? Plan for children, pets, and anyone needing extra assistance.
• Have you shared your plan? Let friends and family know your plan and encourage them to make one, too.

Download the City of Jacksonville Family Emergency Plan Template here.

Plan for Your Pets

• Make sure all pets wear collars with current ID that includes your phone number and address.
• Train pets to feel comfortable in a crate or carrier to make evacuation easier.
• Bring pets inside at the first sign of severe weather or danger.
• Keep an emergency pet kit in an easy-to-access location.
• Store recent photos of your pets in case they become lost during a disaster.

Tip: Microchipping is highly recommended. Visit jacksonville.gov/pets for more information.

Large Animals: Call Animal Care & Protective Services at 904-630-CITY (2489) to learn about evacuation sites in Duval County.

Business Owners

• Planning is just as important for your organization.
• Download the City of Jacksonville’s Business Continuity Template today.

Minimize Financial Hardship
Financial preparedness is critical. Take time to organize your financial documents and keep extra copies
with your supply kit. Contact your insurance agent and ensure you are covered for hurricane-related
hazards. Flood insurance must be purchased separately!

PLEASE NOTE: a flood insurance policy generally takes effect 30 days after purchase.
Do not wait until the last minute to obtain this coverage!

• Make an inventory of your personal assets and keep it in a safe, dry place. Take photos and video of your belongings and keep them with you during the event of an emergency.
• Be sure that you keep cash on hand. Power outages may prevent access to ATMs and may limit the use of credit/debit cards.

Tip: Don’t forget to set aside funds to pay your hurricane deductible.


 

Know Your Zone

Not all areas face the same risk during a hurricane. It is critical to know your evacuation zone before a storm hits. Your zone determines whether you should evacuate or shelter in place during a hurricane and it may be different from your neighbors, even if you live nearby.

Evacuation orders are based on the storm’s strength and expected impact, including storm surge. Knowing your zone ahead of time helps you act quickly and confidently if you’re told to leave.

Knowing your evacuation zone is especially important if you live near the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway,
or St. Johns River, where storm surge and flooding are most likely.

Zones are labeled A through F, with Zone A being the most vulnerable and usually the first to evacuate. Even if
you’re not in a designated zone, you may still need to leave if you live in a low-lying or flood-prone area.

Knowing your zone means knowing when to go. Don’t wait.  Check your zone and make your plan today. Visit the follow link to look up your evacuation zone: https://maps.coj.net/evsearch/

Stay Informed

Knowing how the City of Jacksonville communicates during an emergency is essential to staying safe and informed. Below are the official ways to receive important updates before, during, and after a disaster.

JaxReady App
The JaxReady app, developed by the City of Jacksonville’s Emergency Preparedness Division and Technology Solutions Department, helps you stay informed and ready for any emergency.
With the app, you can:

• Use GPS to find your Evacuation Zone
• View the current EOC activation level, weather hazards, and fire danger index based on your location
• Access links to sign up for the Special Medical Needs Registry
• Stay up to date with local weather and fire alerts

Download the JAXREADY app today!
Available for iOS and Android devices.

Alert Systems

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): Authorized national, state, or local government authorities may send alerts regarding critical events using these alerts. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on your phone’s settings.

ALERTJAX: ALERTJAX is a free emergency notification system for Duval County residents. Receive real-time emergency notifications for weather, road closures, and more. Sign up at JaxReady.com/ALERTJAX.

Commercial Media: Local broadcast stations will publish emergency alert information. Power failures are likely during a severe weather event; keep at least one battery- powered radio in your household.

Smartphone Alerts: Certain smartphone apps can notify you during a disaster or emergency. Check your app preferences and ensure alerts are turned on to receive timely warnings.

• Weather.gov/Alerts
• Ready.gov/Alert
• Fema.gov
• ALERTJAX

Stay Connected:

• Look for Duval County essential emergency information before, during, and after disasters at JaxReady.com.
• Follow @JaxReady on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Nextdoor to stay informed with updates, preparedness tips, and critical alerts.

Call or text 911 only in emergencies that require immediate assistance from police, fire, or medical services. Call 911 for:

• Fires or visible smoke
• Traffic crashes
• Medical emergencies
• Dangerous or unsafe conditions
• Crimes in progress

Text-to-911 is also available in Duval County if you are unable to speak.

 

JEA -Partners in Preparedness

As we approach the 2025 Hurricane Season, I write to you not just as JEA’s CEO and Managing Director, but also as a proud member of this community. Reflecting on the past year, we can take pride in the way our team responded to the challenges of an active storm season. We know that being prepared is key—and JEA is committed to ensuring we’re ready for whatever comes our way.

JEA works year-round to strengthen our infrastructure to better serve you, investing in durable materials like steel and concrete for transmission structures, and ensuring backup systems at critical facilities. These investments are essential in helping us return to normal operations quickly after a storm. Our team also performs tree-trimming throughout our community to minimize storm impacts and we encourage all customers to manage trees on your property to help reduce disruptions.

Preparedness is a shared responsibility. Our collaboration with the City of Jacksonville’s Emergency Preparedness Division is vital to our coordinated response before, during, and after a storm. I encourage you to prepare your homes and families by assembling an emergency kit, creating a communication plan, and staying informed through local weather updates. Also, make sure your contact information is current on your JEA account or through our new JEA app to receive important storm-related notifications.

When a storm occurs, JEA crews work around the clock to restore power as safely and quickly as possible. Last year, we put our Restoration 1-2-3 plan into action and saw firsthand how important and effective it is in minimizing service disruptions. This method allows us to prioritize areas with the greatest need and restore services efficiently. You’ll find more details about our restoration process later in this guide.

The most important thing we can all do is stay prepared. Together, we can face the storm season with confidence, knowing we’ve done everything we can to safeguard our community. Thank you for your trust in JEA. We’re privileged to serve you and remain dedicated to your safety and well-being.

Sincerely,
Vickie Cavey JEA CEO & Managing Director

Generator Safety
Portable generators can be lifesaving tools during power outages, but they must be used safely to avoid
dangerous conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, or electrical shock.

Know the sypmtoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: 

• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
•  Shortness of Breath

If you feel any of these symptoms, leave right away. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that can kill in minutes.

• Stay alert and use carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in your home.
• Never plug a generator into a wall outlet or your home’s wiring without a transfer switch. This can backfeed electricity and endanger utility workers.
• KEEP IT OUTSIDE! Only use a generator outside and 20 feet from windows,
  doors, and vents. Point the exhaust away from all doors and windows.

JTA- Partners in Preparedness

Dear Jacksonville,
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) has been a trusted resource in our community since 1955, first as an expressway authority, and for the past 53 years as the public transportation provider in Northeast Florida.
The responsibility you have entrusted us with goes beyond the daily bus trips and the roads we build in your neighborhood.
Throughout the year, the JTA has proven to be a valuable community partner by supporting the region with transportation resources above and beyond our regular services. Whether it is providing cooling buses during large events, transporting residents to shelter locations in emergency situations or delivering essential items for our neighbors suffering from the devastating effects of hurricanes; the JTA is always at the ready to serve those in need. Our coordinated response to severe weather is part of that responsibility. The more than 800 JTA employees who call Jacksonville home stand ready to help our friends, families and neighbors during a severe weather event.

When an evacuation order is issued, the JTA provides free transportation to local shelters until it is no longer safe to do so. This includes JTA buses and transportation resources for those with special needs. During that time, you will see JTA buses marked “Evacuation Shuttles” stationed at designated pick-up locations at the Beaches and Baldwin that will take you to local shelters. Additional Evacuation Shuttles will also be deployed on JTA bus routes for those who do not live in those areas.

The JTA is proud to support our first responders, police, firefighters, and utility crews with transportation as they respond to critical needs in your neighborhoods.

As you prepare for the Atlantic Hurricane Season, and build your emergency kits, know that the JTA will be there for your during times of need. You can locate these and other resources in this Guide, and at www.jtafla.com. Thank you for putting your trust in the JTA.

Nathanial P. Ford Sr.
JTA Chief Executive Officer

Assistance with Transportation
If you need transportation assistance to evacuate, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) will suspend fares for evacuation routes. If you plan to evacuate, be ready to evacuate early as these services will stop as conditions deteriorate.

• JTA will operate on a reduced schedule for normal routes
•  All fixed route bus and First Coast Flyer BRT stops will become evacuation pick-up points to transport individuals to hubs
• Residents needing to evacuate can take any bus marked “Evacuation Shuttle” on a regular bus route before the announced cut-off time
• Residents can also go to any one of the four designated pick-up locations to be transported to a transfer hub, where you will then change buses to be transported to a public shelter:
  • Fletcher High School
  • Mayport Middle School
  • Baldwin Middle-High School
  • Jacksonville Beach Elementary

More information can be found at jtafla.com/severeweather or by calling (904) 630-3100.

Severe Weather

Extreme Heat
Extreme Cold
Wildfire Safety
Thunderstorms and Lightning
Tornadoes
Flooding

Extreme temperatures can pose serious health and safety risks. Whether it’s a summer heatwave or a winter freeze, knowing how to prepare and respond can protect your household and your neighbors. Use the tips below to stay safe during extreme heat and cold conditions.

Extreme Heat

• HEAT ADVISORY: Issued when the heat index ranges between 108°F and 112°F for any duration of time.
• EXTREME HEAT WARNING: Issued when the heat index reaches or exceeds 113°F for any duration of time.

Stay Safe in Extreme Heat

• Hydrate by drinking water or sports drinks.
• Offer to help those you know with limited access to air- conditioning.
• Stay indoors, in an air conditioned area, during peak heat hours.
• Avoid unnecessary exertion.
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
• Stay out of the sun if you do not need to be in it.

The City of Jacksonville cares about your well-being and wants to ensure your safety during extreme heat. For Cooling Center locations, heat safety tips, and more, visit the    Stay Cool Jax landing page. 

Extreme Cold

• FREEZE WARNING: Issued when temperatures are expected to drop below 32° F for at least two hours.
• HARD FREEZE WARNING: Issued when temperatures are expected to drop below 27° F for at least two hours.

5 P's of Cold Weather Preparedness

• Protect Plants: Cover cold-sensitive plants to protect them from dangerous temperatures.
• Protect Pets: Bring outdoor pets inside or provide a warm shelter for them.
• Practice Fire Safety: Use safe heating sources indoors. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release deadly carbon monoxide.
• Protect People: Dress in warm layers and wear a hat and gloves.
• Protect Pipes: Cover pipes and allow outdoor faucets to slowly drip to prevent them from freezing and breaking.

Wildfire Safety: 
A wildfire is an unplanned, uncontrolled fire that spreads through vegetation. While often associated with remote
wilderness areas, wildfires can occur anywhere—including neighborhoods and developed areas.

In Florida, wildfires are a year-round threat, but peak activity typically occurs between January and June. Although some wildfires are caused by lightning, most are the result of human activity.

How to Protect Your Home from Wildfires:

• Create a defensible space by clearing at least 30 feet around your home of anything flammable, including dry leaves and brush.
• Clean your roof and gutters regularly to remove dry debris.

• Mow grass and trim vegetation frequently to prevent buildup of dry fuel.
• Thin tree canopies to create 10 to 15 feet of space between branches and reduce fire spread.
• Follow Duval County’s year-round burn ban and avoid outdoor burning unless authorized.

Thunderstorms and Lightning
Thunderstorms are common in Duval County, especially from late spring through early fall. All thunderstorms produce lightning, and Florida consistently leads the nation in lightning-related injuries with more than 2,000 incidents reported over the past 50 years.
But lightning isn’t the only danger. Thunderstorms can also bring:

• Flash flooding that quickly inundates roads and low-lying areas
•  Strong winds capable of damaging trees, power lines, and buildings
• Tornadoes that can develop quickly with little warning
• Hail that can damage vehicles, roofs, and vegetation

What To Do During a Thuderstorm:

• Get indoors immediately. A sturdy building is the safest place. Avoid open structures like picnic shelters or sheds.
•  Avoid contact with anything that conducts electricity, such as corded phones, appliances, or plumbing.
• Stay away from windows and do not take shelter under trees.
• Move away from water, including beaches, pools, lakes, and rivers.
•  Avoid open fields and hilltops, which are more prone to lightning strikes.

When thunder roars, go indoors! If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

Tornadoes
A tornado is a fast-moving column of air that spins down from a thunderstorm and touches the ground. It can happen suddenly and may bring strong winds, lightning, and hail. Some tornadoes are brief and small, while others can be wide and cause serious damage.

Protect Yourself During a Tornado:

• Have multiple ways to receive warnings and alerts.
• Monitor local weather reports or a NOAA Weather Radio.
• Go to the innermost hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor of your home.
• Stay away from windows and exterior walls.
• Do not try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle. Leave the car and seek sturdy shelter.
• If you live in a mobile or manufactured home, go to a more secure building immediately.
• Remain in your shelter location until officials confirm the threat has passed.

Tornado Alerts
Tornado Watch: BE AWARE: Conditions are right for a tornado to form. Make sure you have a way to receive weather alerts and know your safe space.
Tornado Warning: TAKE ACTION: A tornado has been spotted in your area or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately in your safe space.

Flooding
Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the U.S. In Duval County, the risk is year-round due to our low elevation, the St. Johns River, and a network of creeks and canals. Even storms that don’t directly hit our area can bring major flooding.
The St. Johns River flows north into the Atlantic. When a storm pushes water up the river from the ocean, it slows down drainage. Combine that with heavy rain and high tide, and flooding can spread quickly.

Floodwater Facts: 

• Six inches of moving water can knock over an adult
• Two feet of moving water can carry away most vehicles
• Floodwater can be electrically charged and very dangerous if there are downed power lines
•  Floodwater can contain debris, sharp objects, sewage, and bacteria
• Floodwater can hide holes or other hazards under its surface

Urban Flooding:
Urban flooding occurs when stormwater overwhelms the local drainage system. This happens more often during
intense or prolonged rainfall, when the ground becomes saturated and the system can’t drain water fast enough.
You can help reduce this risk by keeping storm drains clear of grass clippings, leaves, mulch, and other debris.

Storm Surge:
Storm surge is the abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, over and above the predicted high tide. It’s one of the most dangerous parts of a hurricane and can flood areas quickly. Even those far from the coast.
Why it’s dangerous:

• Water levels can rise more than 15 feet
• Flooding can happen in minutes, often with little warning
• Roads become impassable and buildings can be severely damaged
• Evacuation routes may be cut off
• Water may not recede for hours or even days

Most hurricane-related deaths are caused by water, not wind. Always take storm surge warnings seriously and evacuate if directed.

Evacuation zones and flood zones are not the same thing! 
Evacuation Zones: Are calculated using many factors such as wave action, precipitation, drainage systems, and areas that could become isolated from emergency services.
Flood Zones: Geographic areas that FEMA has defined according to varying levels of flood risk. Flood zones are used for flood insurance ratings and building code requirements.