District preparing for Hurricane Milton

The current track shows Hurricane Milton will impact the entire St. Johns River Water Management District’s 18-county region.

The St. Johns River Water Management District is actively preparing for the potential impacts of Hurricane Milton, which is projected to make landfall in Florida as a major hurricane later this week. The District’s Emergency Operations Center

(EOC) is fully activated, and executive leadership is working to ensure all necessary preparations are in place as the storm approaches.

In advance of the hurricane, the District has implemented the following measures:

• The District’s EOC has been raised to Level 1 (full activation) to coordinate directly with state and county EOCs.
• All District staff are receiving up-to-date storm information to ensure preparedness.
• District-managed recreational facilities are being secured as part of safety measures.
• All District-managed lands, including campgrounds and navigational locks, will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8. These areas will remain closed until further notice.

While current forecasts project Hurricane Milton to be a major storm when it makes landfall on Florida’s west coast, residents should still expect strong winds and heavy rainfall. Property owners should act now to be prepared for the storm by:

• Keeping debris out of storm drains and ditches.
• Reporting clogged ditches to local governments.
• Cleaning out gutters and extending downspouts at least four feet from structures. Residents are also encouraged to follow their county Emergency Operations Center for the latest local emergency updates, including evacuation orders and flood-related rescue efforts.

The District is closely tracking Hurricane Milton’s path and monitoring water levels to ensure we can assist local governments and other regional and state agencies if needed. Additionally, the District’s pump strike teams are on standby to assist communities that may be affected by flooding.

For real-time updates, including flood warnings, river stages, and emergency contacts for local governments, residents are encouraged to visit the District’s storm information page at www.sjrwmd.com/storm.