St. Johns County prepares for severe weather

Tropical Depression 9 is gaining strength and Northeast Florida is expected to get a lot of rain and heavy winds.

Norra Satterfield said she’s no stranger when it comes to flooding,

“We’re in a flood zone,” said Norra Satterfield. “We’re going to get some water."

It’s a common thing for her home every time it rains, but as this storm approaches, she’s bracing for the worst.

“You can feel it, it’s already coming. That’s coming straight at my house,” said Satterfield.

For the past two weeks, Linda Stroughton with St. Johns County Emergency Management said the agency has been watching this storm.

“St. Johns County and Northeast Florida could see tropical storm force winds as early as Thursday afternoon,” she said. “We are preparing, and we have a comprehensive emergency management plan for St. Johns County."

The plan is to move emergency vehicles out of the way and close streets and bridges if necessary.

Action News Jax First Alert Meteorologists say the storm could bring several inches of rain and 40 mile per hour winds.

St. Johns County is providing free sandbags for residents at five locations throughout the county in preparation for inclement weather.

• Ron Parker Park - 607 Old Beach Road.

• Sims Pit - 536 S. Holmes Boulevard.

• Town of Hastings Town Hall - 6195 S. Main Street, behind the building.

• Mills Field - 1805 Racetrack Road, in the overflow parking area.

• Palm Valley - Under the Palm Valley Bridge on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Residents must provide their own transportation and shovels and will be responsible for filling their own bags, the county said.

Residents are allowed 50 bags per person and the sand and bags are available between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. daily throughout the duration of the inclement weather event.

Cox Media Group