Hurricane Irma: Jacksonville Orders Mandatory Evacuations

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Hurricane Irma is barreling toward Florida, and local authorities are warning residents to be on alert, informing Floridians about potential impacts and what they need to do to prepare for the Category 4 storm.

In Jacksonville, city officials have ordered mandatory evacuations for some residents, and all residents must be evacuated by 8 p.m. Saturday. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for zones A&B, and residents can check whether they are in those zones by looking at the map below or by entering your address here.

Coastal, low-lying areas and mobile homes are also encouraged to evacuate, the sheriff's office said. Authorities said Irma could be a significant flooding event for those living along the St. John's River. Residents in the mandatory evacuation zones need to be in a secure place by Saturday night, and authorities have also made available a list of shelters. (For the latest on Irma and up to date information for Jacksonville residents, subscribe to the Jacksonville Patch for real time alerts.)

Watch: FEMA Tells Floridians In Irma's Path To 'Get Out Now'

The special needs center in Jacksonville at Legends Center is at capacity.

The city of Jacksonville is under a local state of emergency as Irma approaches. Schools are closed on Monday, Sept. 11. Jacksonville University, University of North Florida and Florida State College in Jacksonville campuses and centers are closed through Monday. City offices are closed Friday.

Garbage and recycling collections will be determined based on current weather conditions.

By 8 a.m. Saturday, Irma had downgraded to a Category 4 storm after making landfall in Cuba. Still packing maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, the storm had forced hurricane warnings to go up along much of Florida’s west coast, from the tip to Chassahowitzka in Citrus County. Storm surge warnings were also in place from Volusia and Brevard counties on the east side of the state around the peninsula to Chassahowitzka. Warnings mean that hurricane and storm surge conditions are expected within the warning area within 36 hours.

Sherri Lonon contributed to this report.

Photo by Desmond Boylan/Associated Press