Getting ready for Debby

By Don Coble, Managing Editor

Posted 8/3/24

CLAY COUNTY—On Saturday, Residents decided it was better to be safe than sorry by filling hundreds of sandbags at two locations ahead of Debby.

The county opened two locations where …

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Getting ready for Debby

Orange Park's John Salas has bagged sand before, so he's used to being cautious when tropical storms or hurricane warnings occur. He said his wife worries their garage will flood, so he always takes precautions. He filled 10 bags at the Fleming Island location at noon Saturday, more than two days before Debby is expected to sweep across North Florida. "Happy wife, happy life," he said with a smile.

STAFF PHOTO BY DON COBLE

Posted Saturday, August 3, 2024 2:10 pm

By Don Coble, Managing Editor

CLAY COUNTY—On Saturday, Residents decided it was better to be safe than sorry by filling hundreds of sandbags at two locations ahead of Debby.

The county opened two locations where residents could fill as many as 10 free bags – the Eagle Harbor Soccer Complex and 4287 Lakeshore Dr. on Fleming Island and Omega Park at 4317 County Road 218 in Middleburg. Both sites will remain open until 6 p.m. on Saturday and will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Bags will be provided, but everyone should bring their shovels.

The county does not expect to open shelters or order evacuations, and county offices and services are expected to be open as planned.

The latest forecast – and remember, storms often change direction without warning – has Debby making landfall as a likely hurricane near the Big Bend area of Florida on Monday, sweeping northeast and exiting as a tropical cyclone between Jacksonville and southern North Carolina. Early projections call for between six and eight inches of rain and wind gusts between 20-30 mph for Clay County on Wednesday.