Duval County has six evacuation zones, A to F; look yours up at maps.coj.net/evsearch. Shelters open only when the city says so. Alerts: AlertJax and JaxReady.

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026, at 1 p.m. Sources: the City of Jacksonville’s emergency site JaxReady and its pages on evacuation zones, shelters and special medical needs; the National Weather Service in Jacksonville; and the Florida Department of Revenue.

Right now (Oct. 9): The National Weather Service has a Flood Watch for Duval County through 2 a.m. Saturday, a Coastal Flood Advisory for coastal Duval until 2 p.m. Saturday and a high rip current risk through late Saturday night. The National Hurricane Center lists Hurricane Isaias in the Gulf, and the city’s Emergency Preparedness Division said Oct. 7 that rain from the system was expected from Friday afternoon through the weekend. JaxReady listed no shelters open at the time of checking. Follow JaxReady and the National Hurricane Center for updates.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to Nov. 30, and JaxReady says the peak is mid-August to late October. With the St. Johns River, the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic all in one county, Duval faces storm surge, river flooding and wind.

Who to call

Know your zone

Duval County uses six evacuation zones, A through F. The city’s evacuation zone page says the zones are built from storm surge, wave action, rainfall flooding and areas known to flood, not just the category of the storm, and that the river makes Jacksonville’s zones more complex than most counties’.

  • Zone A is the most vulnerable and is evacuated first, along with manufactured and mobile homes.
  • As a storm gets worse, evacuations widen through Zones B to E.
  • Zone F is different: it covers areas likely to flood from rainfall or other hazards.

Officials announce which zones must leave for each storm. Look up your address now at maps.coj.net/evsearch; being outside a zone does not mean your home cannot flood.

Shelters

Shelters open only when emergency managers announce them, through JaxReady, the JaxReady app, social media and the news. The city’s shelter page describes three kinds:

Shelter type Run by What to know
General population American Red Cross Open to everyone, first come, first served. Little privacy; bring bedding, food, medicine and documents.
Pet-friendly City Animal Care and Protective Services Dogs, cats, rodents, birds and rabbits only, no reptiles. Bring proof of vaccination and registration, a crate or cage and supplies. Pets may be housed in a separate room.
Special medical needs Florida Department of Health in Duval County For people who depend on electricity or oxygen or need basic medical help. Pre-registration required. A caregiver must come too.

Service animals are allowed at every shelter. Only service animals may ride public transit, so plan how to get your pet there.

Special medical needs registry

Residents who rely on powered medical equipment or oxygen, or who need help from medical staff, should register online or call 904-255-3172. The registry must be renewed every year. During an evacuation, the Health Department contacts registered clients in the affected zones and arranges a ride if needed.

Sandbags

JaxReady listed no sandbag distribution sites when this page was checked. Watch JaxReady and AlertJax for announcements before a storm.

Tax-free hurricane supplies

Florida no longer holds hurricane sales tax holidays. Since Aug. 1, 2025, these items are always exempt, according to the Department of Revenue’s Tax Information Publication 25A01-05 (PDF):

  • Portable generators of 10,000 running watts or less
  • AA, AAA, C, D, 6-volt and 9-volt batteries
  • Waterproof tarps of 1,000 square feet or less
  • Portable gas or diesel cans of 5 gallons or less
  • Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
  • Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers
  • Life jackets, insect repellent and sunscreen

Before the storm

From JaxReady’s hurricane page:

  • Flood insurance is separate from homeowners or renters insurance and usually takes 30 days to start. Call the National Flood Insurance Program at 1-800-427-4661.
  • Check your flood risk on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and the city’s JaxGIS map.
  • Photograph your belongings and keep cash on hand; power outages can shut down ATMs and card readers.
  • Clear gutters and drains, and consider shutters and roof straps.

During and after

The city’s Oct. 7 advice for flooding rain: never walk, swim or drive through floodwater; six inches of moving water can knock you down and 12 inches can carry a car away. Avoid parking or standing under trees in gusty wind, because saturated ground loosens roots. Report power outages to the utility; see power outages in Jacksonville.

What this means for you

  • Look up your zone today and save the link.
  • Sign up for AlertJax and get the JaxReady app.
  • Anyone who needs a medical needs shelter must register in advance, every year.

Related: power outages, who to call at City Hall, trash and recycling for storm debris rules, and road closures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find my evacuation zone in Jacksonville?

Enter your address in the city’s evacuation zone lookup at maps.coj.net/evsearch. Duval County has zones A through F; Zone A is the most vulnerable and is evacuated first.

Are there pet-friendly hurricane shelters in Duval County?

Yes, when the city opens them. Dogs, cats, rodents, birds and rabbits are accepted with proof of vaccination and registration, in a crate or cage. Reptiles are not allowed.

Is there a hurricane sales tax holiday in Florida?

Florida replaced the holidays with a permanent exemption on Aug. 1, 2025. Portable generators of 10,000 running watts or less, AA to D and 6- and 9-volt batteries, and tarps up to 1,000 square feet are always tax-free.

How do I get emergency alerts in Jacksonville?

Sign up for AlertJax, the city’s free Everbridge alert system, through JaxReady.com, and download the JaxReady app.

How do I register for a special medical needs shelter in Duval County?

Register online through the city’s Special Medical Needs Registry or call the Emergency Preparedness Division at 904-255-3172. Registration must be renewed every year.