Hurricane Irma: Mayor announces 'State of Emergency' for Jacksonville

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Mayor Lenny Curry is asking the City of Jacksonville to get prepared for Hurricane Irma as it threatens the state of Florida.

The mayor announced a ‘State of Emergency’ as the city braces for the storm.

The state of Florida is keeping a close eye on the latest path of Hurricane Irma, as the storm moves closer to the Sunshine State, “We will be prepared, we have a plan and we will get through whatever comes,” said Mayor Lenny Curry.

MORE: Jacksonville mayor on Hurricane Irma: 'If you have the ability, please leave'

Mayor Lenny Curry outlined that plan Wednesday, during a series of news conferences, even declaring a state of emergency for Duval County, “It means we have access to resources, and funds so we can move quickly, in the event that we need them,” said Curry.

But Curry didn’t stop there, “The city will close, on Friday and will be closed for all non-essential personnel,” said Curry.

In addition to city offices, Duval County Public Schools will have early dismissal on Thursday and will be closed Friday and Monday, “If the storm, continues on this track, or if it worsens, we are likely to see mandatory evacuations, start on Friday,” said Curry.

And the mayor says the sooner, you can leave the area, the better, but also provided other options for those who can’t leave this very moment, “We will be announcing, the opening of shelters on Friday, so you can know where they are on Friday and you will have access to them before the storm,” said Curry.

“Pray for the best, prepare for the worst.” It’s a message Mayor Lenny Curry hopes people are not taking lightly, “I am encouraging, strongly encouraging, and telling you if I was a visitor, if I was in Zone A or Zone B right now, I would prepare and begin to leave,” said Curry.

Lines of cars, packed Murphy’s Express Gas Station in hopes of filling their tanks, just in case, they have to get out of town, if Hurricane Irma hits Florida, “We’re making sure all of our gas tanks are full. If we do decide to evacuate, we may evacuate to Georgia,” said Katie Carpenter.

“I’m going to go back, and watch the news and see, what’s the current state is and go from there,” said John LaJoice.

Sheriff Mike Williams is warning people to leave early before it’s too late, “If you wait until Friday, if we anticipate mandatory evacuations on Friday and you wait until Friday, to try and leave, you can find yourself on the interstate moving 10 miles per hour,” said Williams.

Ron Tittle with the Florida Department of Transportation says crews are doing their part to make sure that drive out of town is smooth, “What the Florida Department of Transportation is doing is suspending all of our, construction projects. Safety is our main priority,” said Ron Tittle.

Cox Media Group