Tropical Storm Debby

Tropical Storm Debby Update: August 4th, 1:00 PM 

Tropical Storm Debby is expected to become a strong Category 1 hurricane as we track into Monday morning. Right now, the National Weather Service projects Clay County will start getting the effects from the storm around 2:00 Monday morning, extending throughout the day. The storm is expected to hit the Florida peninsula Monday and then slow as it moves northeast. The storm will be out of our area by Monday evening, but we are expecting possible flooding to linger after the storm leaves our region. The main effects are expected to be heavy rain, wind gusts, flooding, and possible tornadoes. 

Evacuations: 

This will be primarily a heavy rain event, with possible freshwater flooding that could extend after the storm passes through our area. Residents who live in low-lying areas, especially near Black Creek and its prongs, are encouraged to prepare for possible flooding and evacuate if necessary. 

Shelters: 

Evacuation shelters will open this evening, Sunday, August 4th. 

General Population shelters will open at 6:00 PM

• Keystone Heights Elementary School – Pet Friendly, 335 SW Pecan St, Keystone Heights, FL 32656

• Orange Park High School – Pet Friendly, 2300 Kingsley Avenue Orange Park, FL 32073 

Special Needs Shelter opens at 6:00 PM

• Lake Asbury Junior High School, 2851 Sandridge Rd. Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 

Animals must have up-to-date vaccinations, and residents must bring their own kennel, food, and medication.  

Service animals are allowed in our shelters if they show proof of vaccinations and they are on a leash.  

Please keep in mind that the only pets allowed are dogs, cats, rodents (such as hamsters and gerbils), rabbits, and birds, and the ADA allows a miniature horse, as long as it provides a service connected to the owner’s disability.  

Sandbags: 

A third sandbag location is open at the Orange Park Athletic Association, located at 1086 Fromhart Street. This is in addition to the sandbag locations at the Eagle Harbor Soccer Complex on Fleming Island, and Omega Park in Middleburg. 

All sandbag locations will close at 6:00 this evening. 

Closures: 

All county government offices will be closed Monday. Closures on Tuesday will be storm-dependent, so please stay tuned to our website and social media pages for those updates. 

Trash: 

Garbage and recycling pickups, as well as the new garbage can deliveries, will be suspended on Monday and will resume on Tuesday, storm-dependent. Please stay tuned to our social media pages and our website for any changes to this schedule. 

Call Center:  

Our call center will remain open, and you can call toll-free at 1-877-252-9362. 

We have all of this information on our website - alert.claycountygov.com and we’ll continue to update our community as this storm progresses.