A.G. Gancarski
On Wednesday morning, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry briefed local media on the city’s response plan for Hurricane Matthew.
The eye, slated to parallel the Jacksonville coast sometime Friday evening, presents the closest thing to an existential threat Jacksonville has faced from a hurricane this century.
The Jacksonville City Council is slated to meet at noon to discuss a state of emergency in advance of the storm.
In his presser Wednesday, Curry imposed the state of emergency, effective immediately, predicated on forecast winds approaching 50 mph with gusts of up to 80, and a “worst case” 7-to-9-foot storm surge.
Curry ordered an evacuation of Jacksonville, Atlantic, and Neptune beaches, as well as telling residents in low-lying areas that he “suggest[s] you leave as well.”
Public works crews will be on call, Curry said, telling residents to “expect power outages.”
“Do what you need to do to prepare,” Curry said.
While the evacuations will not be enforced, Curry cautioned recalcitrant beaches residents there will not be public safety assets in place to help those who stay behind.
Regarding evacuations, Sheriff Mike Williams noted there will not be a counterflow on the highways, meaning that eastbound lanes on Interstate 10 will not be reversed.
When asked about the city’s emergency reserve if the worst should happen, Curry said that “we have what we need” regarding money ready to deal with any eventuality, and “respond and react accordingly.”
Council President Lori Boyer noted that as of the most recent budget, both the emergency and operating reserves were within targets of five to seven percent of the city’s $1.18 billion budget.
