Isaias caused rough conditions and dangerous rip currents, but local emergency officials eyed the threat as a practical lesson in storm preparation during the continued COVID crisis.
The heads of the three Beaches cities in a joint press conference with Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry detailed the coordinated response efforts and urged residents to get prepared. Curry kicked off the press briefing with hopeful news that the volume of new COVID-19 cases had seemed to plateau at a daily rate of 7 percent. Hospitals capacities remain stable with no rapid increase in hospitalizations at some, slight dips in others.
“I encourage people to stay the course. Wear masks in public. Wash your hands and stay away from large, unnecessary crowds,” Curry said. “Our emergency preparedness teams are working hard to ensure that the city is ready as we monitor this [storm].”
While Duval County was under a Tropical Storm watch with a potential for high winds and flooding on the coast and low-lying areas, no state of emergency declaration or evacuations were ordered.
“We can’t stay complacent. We must be prepared,” urged Curry. “This is a reminder for all us as we’ve been navigating COVID-19 that we are in hurricane season. People should just be ready. This is a good time to know where their zone is.”
Curry said the city is prepared to engage multiple shelter locations in adherence with COVID-19 guidelines at any point during the season which extends through Nov. 30. Citizens with special needs are asked to register at www.coj.net/specialneeds.
Neptune Beach Mayor Elaine Brown delivered a pointed message to residents and beach goers.
“Please stay near a lifeguard. These rip tides are serious. Our lifeguard force is full. Everyone is on duty. Be cautious and be careful. This has been a warning to see this hurricane as it’s passing us. This is the year with a pandemic, this is a triple threat to many people,” she said. “Put that kit together. Do what they are warning you to do. This is the year to do it. Know where you are going if you have to evacuate and have everything on hand if you need to hunker down. This is not something that you should take lightly.”
In Atlantic Beach, Mayor Ellen Glasser said city crews were ready to move any downed trees and were working to clear storm drains in the event of heavy rains and flooding. She encouraged residents to utilize the number of communications platforms used to share up to date information as the storm passed.
“I just want to emphasize that we really do operate with one voice. All the messaging will be consistent. Experience does count,” she said. “In Atlantic Beach, we have a number of communication platforms for people to check. I do want to emphasize dangerous surf conditions that might prevail. Be prepared. We’ve done our best to be prepared for this event.”
Jacksonville Beach also took the necessary precautions, pumping down a lot of reservoirs and posting Beaches Energy emergency crews in case of localized power outages.
“It’s important that we be vigilant and remain vigilant,” said Mayor Charlie Latham. “We’ve gotten good at responding, but we’ve also gotten complacent in some areas.”
Echoed Curry, “We’ve been in COVID for so long. It’s consumed people's lives. It’s a reminder that we’re in hurricane season so just be prepared.”
