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Billions in damage in St. Johns County after Hurricane Matthew

By Action News Jax
By Action News Jax

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — RELATED: Drone footage shows Mickers Landing, Palm Valley Bridge, Nocatee

CHOPPER VIDEO: Damage to Jax Beach Pier | Vilano Beach damage | St. Johns County coastline

Damage in St. Johns County is in the billions, said the county commissioner.

Michael Wanchick, St. Johns County Commission, said Saturday that there is flooding, coastal erosion, damage to public infrastructure and that a few sections of A1A has washed over, but the road is still intact.

There are approximately 150 people still in shelters around the county.

All curfews were lifted on Saturday The Shands and Crescent Beach bridges remain closed.

County Road 13, Mickler Rd, Roscoe Blvd and Ponte Vedra Blvd were recently reopened, officials said.

Water was restored to Anastasia Island and the North Beaches as of 8 p.m. Saturday. Customers should boil water for at least a minute before consumption.

St. Johns County Public Works is pumping surface water from storm surge that didn't recede at Vilano Beach at Porpoise Point..

Many roads are still blocked by storm debris. Road and Bridge crews are working throughout the county to clear the debris.

Bishop Estates Rd and Wildwood Dr are closed to through traffic. St Augustine Shores has multiple road closures due to trees and downed power lines.

E. St. Johns is flooded in Hastings.

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Downtown St. Augustine, Summer Haven was the hardest hit by Hurricane Matthew on Friday.

There were some lost structures on Vilano Beach.

Officials have allowed residents back to Ponte Vedra and Cosa on Saturday afternoon. The Usina Bridge to Vilano Beach and all bridges to Anastasia Island will open at 4 p.m., officials said. The bridges include the Bridge of Lions, the SR 312 Bridge and Matanzas Inlet Bridge.

The Florida Department of Transportation discovered previously unforeseen structural damage caused by Hurricane Matthew to the SR 206 Bridge to Anastasia Island. The bridge will remain closed pending any repairs necessary.

The Shands Bridge will remain closed until further notice.

People can get food, water and clean up kits at two locations in the county.

  • Salvation Army - Mobile feeding at the following locations: Nocatee to Fruit Cove, The Shores, and Anastasia Island.
  • Red Cross - 2 Emergency Response Vehicles on Anastasia Island distributing Comfort Kits, Clean-up Kits, and Water.

Hurricane Matthew videos from the Jacksonville area that you have to watch

City manager John Regan said 90 percent of the roads are still passable. The Shands Bridge will remain closed, as it is damaged.

Officials are still in the process of assessing neighborhoods to make sure people are secure and safe.

There is no guarantee of when electricity or sewer service will return, officials said. Water is safe to drink, if you are a city customer. However, the island will be on boil water notice.

"We are the nation's oldest city, and we will come back from this," said St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar.

Action News Jax is following the story. Watch Action News Jax and follow us on Twitter @ActionNewsJax for the latest.

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