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Live Updates: Damage, flooding along northeast Florida during Tropical Storm Ian

According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Ian has moved out of the area, but there's still concerns about coastal flooding.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — EDITOR'S NOTE: This article will no longer be updated. For the latest forecast from the First Coast News Weather Team, bookmark this story

Hurricane Ian made landfall Wednesday afternoon as a very dangerous storm system. According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Ian has moved out of the area, but there's still concerns about coastal flooding.

Ian has since made a second U.S. landfall in South Carolina and has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone. Watch live coverage from the First Coast News team, here. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article will no longer be updated. For the latest forecast from the First Coast News Weather Team, bookmark this story

Friday 

6:15 p.m.| In an update from Gov. Ron DeSantis, officials said about 85% of customers statewide still have power after the devastation from Hurricane Ian.

Outages are still persisting in Lee and Charlotte counties. DeSantis said roughly half of the customers in Collier and Sarasota counties were without power while about 40% in Seminole and about 50% in Volusia counties were without power. However, more people are expected to get power restored over time.

“We feel good about most of that. I would say that the biggest challenge with power restoration is going to be in those areas that bore the brunt of that category four-plus, almost Category Five, impacts where it may have uprooted some of the existing infrastructure,” DeSantis said, noting that the fixes will happen but they could be issues that may take more than 24 or 38 hours to fix.

4 p.m.| Williams Park Road has water over the roadway and is closed until it recedes, Clay County officials said.

The public should stay off of the Williams, Governors Creek, and Lakeshore boat ramps and docks. Those are either under water or damaged from the storm. 

RELATED: Your videos, photos from Hurricane Ian

1 p.m.| The First Coast is starting to life evacuation orders and businesses and schools are sharing updates for reopening. See full story here.

Nassau County has lifted its evacuation order. Officials are still in the community assessing damage.

Flagler County is asking businesses to complete a damage assessment survey.

9 a.m. | Gov. DeSantis, along with FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie and FEMA, held a news conference Friday.

Power remains one of the biggest issues across the area Friday. As of right now, crews have about 15% of customers restored in both Charlotte and Lee counties. But Lee County residents are without water following a water main break during the tropical storm.

DeSantis says as of Thursday night, officials have contacted at least 20,000 Floridians who filled out a shelter-in-place survey, and about 10,000 have responded that they are safe. More responses are expected throughout Friday.

Watch the full news conference below: 

Thursday

8:00 p.m. | High winds continue in St. Augustine, causing impressive damage.

7:30 p.m. | Governor DeSantis says there are 2.6 million Floridians without power.

6:00 p.m. | Flooding, damages and high winds can be seen in Vilano Beach.

5:20 p.m. | Putnam County officials say their biggest concern going forward is the St. Johns River water levels, which are expected to peak tomorrow between 3-4' in the Dunns Creek area. Some shelters in Putnam County are demobilizing. 

5:15 p.m  | Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry addressed Jacksonville, urging caution going into Thursday night.

5:00 p.m. | Ian has now reformed as a Category 1 hurricane.

4:30 p.m.  | While residents say they are used to flooding in Neptune Beach, some backyards are showing impressive flooding.

4:00 p.m.: | On Your Side's Atyia Collins was live in St. Mary's, Georgia, where some buildings were submerged in water just hours ago. The floodwaters are retreating but expected to rise again later on. 

3:15 p.m. | Water levels are dropping off in St. Augustine. Flooding has fallen below the sea wall, meaning it is below 4ft at this time, and water is receding.

2:24 p.m. | Water is coming up onto the dunes in Jacksonville Beach.

Flooding up to 4ft can be seen in St. Augustine.

11:25 a.m. | Flash flood warning issued for St. Johns until 3:15 p.m.

People in the area of the storm should seek higher ground. Right now, the water is almost over the seawall in downtown St. Augustine.

Already, several roads in St. Johns County are impassable.

10:55 A.M. | Large tree down on roadway Argyle Forest Boulevard.

Credit: FCN
Large tree down on roadway Argyle

9:43 a.m. | Bridge of Lions is blocked, yet not closed, because of flooding, according to St. Augustine Police Department.

Pedestrians, first responders and people driving trucks are still able to cross for now.

Police are urging people to stay home. However, for those driving, "please don’t speed through flooded roads. The WAKE your vehicles create can potentially damage the HOMES and BUSINESSES of others." 

9:31 a.m.: Tree down on Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville

9:11 a.m.: Flooding begins in St. Augustine, hours away from high tide. 

8:55 a.m.: Waves, wind picking up in Green Cove Springs.

Credit: FCN
Waves, wind pick up in Green Cove Springs
Credit: FCN
Wind, waves pick up in Green Cove Springs

8:53 a.m.: Railing ripped off Home in Davis Shores 

8:15 a.m.: Gov. DeSantis holds press conference in Tallahassee, speaking about the flood destruction and rescue efforts in Southwest Florida. 

7:47 a.m.: JFRD crews help clear trees from roads during tropical storm

7 a.m.: The Nassau County Emergency Management has a request form for storm damage. This includes anything life-threatening or dangerous to the community like flooding, live downed powerlines, large branches or any other debris on the roads. Click here to access the form. 

6:25 a.m.: Power lines seen dangling in the roadway in St. Augustine.

6 a.m: Tree limbs reported down near St. George Street in St. Augustine. St. George Street in St. Augustine is lined with restaurants, shops and attractions. Many of which were closed Wednesday.

5:32 p.m.: New video of sailboat that has broken free from St. Augustine marina.

5:16 p.m.: FHP has issued a travel advisory for the Buckman Bridge. Winds are high, bridge is open currently, but be very careful crossing

5:15 p.m.: Sailboat appears to break loose from the marina in St. Augustine. Video captured of it crashing along the seawall. 

5:04 p.m.: Tree down on Lennox Avenue in Jacksonville.

5 a.m.: A sign in the Baymeadows area crashes to the ground during high winds.

There was police activity on Baymeadows Road East at Old Kings Road due to the sign dangling. It finally crashed to the ground around 5 a.m.

5 a.m.: Ian weakens to a Tropical Storm. 

Wednesday

10:44 p.m. | The Florida Division of Emergency Management is reporting 1,840,891 residents in the state are without power due to Hurricane Ian.

9:04 p.m. | Atlantic, Neptune and Jacksonville beaches have been closed to the public until further notice. "We will reopen as soon as it’s safe for citizens," Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said on Twitter.

8 p.m. | All Jacksonville Transportation Authority services are suspended through Thursday. According to JTA, if you are on a bus before or at 8 p.m., you will still be brought to your destination.

7:37 p.m. | The Florida Division of Emergency Management says it's received reports of 1,425,517 power outages. "Our power restoration personnel are on standby & ready to respond as soon as it is safe to do so," the division said in a tweet.

6:52 p.m. | The Florida Division of Emergency Management urges Floridians to take precautions as Hurricane Ian moves through the state.

6:24 p.m. | New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she directed the state's National Guard to provide aid to Florida in the wake of Hurricane Ian.

5:30 p.m. | Gov. Ron DeSantis gave an update saying the storm surge has likely peaked. He said the state of Florida has sent President Joe Biden a request to approve a Major Disaster Declaration for all 67 counties in the state.

Governor DeSantis Delivers a 5:30 P.M. Update on Hurricane Ian

Governor DeSantis delivers a 5:30 P.M. update on Hurricane Ian.

Posted by Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, September 28, 2022

5 p.m. | Red Cross shelters opened in Duval County.

3:15 p.m. |  Hurricane Ian has made landfall near Cayo Costa as a Cat 4 storm with winds of 150 MPH.

3 p.m. | Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced that Southwest Florida residents should hunker down as the time to evacuate has passed.

2:34 p.m. | Jax Ready is pushing for Jacksonville residents to prepare in case of power outages.

1:28 p.m. | Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens is closing at 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, officials say.

12:14 p.m. | The Jacksonville Humane Society is looking for families willing to temporarily foster dogs and cats while Hurricane Ian passes. 

12:07 p.m. | St Johns County has opened its storm shelters. Here's what you need to know.

12:00 p.m. | A state of emergency is now in effect for Jacksonville.

RELATED: All Jacksonville bridges are still open as Hurricane Ian approaches, city officials say

11:47 a.m. | Hurricane preps are underway and the hospitality of the First Coast is on display in these pictures tweeted by Florida State Rep. Angie Nixon of District 14.

11:30 a.m. | Hurricane Watch issued for the First Coast. It includes Arlington, Jacksonville, Jax Beach, Oceanway and Tallyrand. The storm surge and tropical storm warnings remain in effect. 

A hurricane watch means hurricane winds are possible whereas a hurricane warning means they're expected.

FCN's Robert Speta said the forecast has not changed with winds remaining below hurricane strength and emphasized the watch is for a "just in case" scenario.

11:21 a.m. | The Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax) is closing the station to nonessential personnel beginning at 4 p.m. Wednesday due to Hurricane Ian. Only mission essential personnel will have access to the station on Thursday, Sept. 29 after 4 p.m. until the installation returns to normal operations. This day will be considered days of administrative leave for all civilian personnel assigned to the station.

RELATED: NAS Jax will close to non-essential personnel as Hurricane Ian threatens the First Coast

RELATED: County-by-county | Closures, cancellations ahead of Hurricane Ian

10:27 a.m. | Columbia County officials issued the following closures due to Hurricane Ian:

  • The Columbia County Tax Collector will be closed Thursday through Friday and will resume normal business operations on Monday, October 3.
  • The Columbia County Property Appraiser will be closed Thursday through Friday and will resume normal business operations on Monday, October 3.
  • The Columbia County Health Department and Environmental Health offices will be closed Thursday and Friday as health officials perform emergency storm functions throughout the County. Offices will resume normal operations on Monday, October 3.
  • The Columbia County Supervisor of Elections will be closed Thursday and Friday. The office will resume normal business operations on Monday, October 3.
  • The baseball and softball tournaments at Southside Sports Complex are cancelled for this weekend. While this opened up some of the reserved hotel rooms, we encourage individuals to contact hotels directly prior to arrival to confirm availability and make reservations.

10:15 a.m. | Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said Wednesday that he is not issuing mandatory evacuations. However, in a press conference, he did encourage people who live in zones A and B, who's homes were impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Matthew to consider leaving.

Curry also opened three additional shelters for residents at Lavilla Middle School, Landrum Middle School, and Atlantic Coast High School.

9:30 a.m. | FCN reporter Leah Shields is in Clay County where the winds are picking up.

8:05 a.m. | In a Wednesday morning press conference, JEA officials shared where they stand in getting prepared for Hurricane Ian. The agency said they have more than 2.000 people staged around the area and crews coming in from all across the southeast. Their message to customers who experience power outages is, despite what mother nature does, know there are "2,300 people doing everything they can to keep things running."

7:35 a.m. | Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference early Wednesday morning to warn all Floridians to stay alert and prepared for the storm.

"Trees are going to come down," DeSantis said. "Even with tropical storm forced winds, it does not need to be hurricane force." As a result, DeSantis said many Florida residents will see a disruption in power.

The Florida Governor said the storm is expected to travel across the central part of the state and wreak havoc.

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