Clay County activates emergency operations, opens shelters and waives yard‑waste fees ahead of Hurricane Ian

The Clay County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 27 heard a hurricane preparedness briefing and voted to waive residential yard‑waste disposal fees at the county’s Rosemary Hill facility ahead of Hurricane Ian.

Emergency Management Director John Ward told the board the county’s emergency operations center has activated and will operate around the clock. County crews planned to begin transporting medically dependent residents to the Lake Asbury special‑needs shelter and to open four general‑population shelters at Orange Park High, Clay High, Wilkinson Elementary and Keystone Heights High; Orange Park and Keystone Heights will accept pets. Ward said storm impacts could begin early Thursday and continue into Friday, with risks of tropical‑storm‑force winds, power outages and vegetative debris.

Ward and county staff described sandbag operations already under way and urged residents to follow evacuation guidance and the county call center (877‑252‑9362) and alert.claycountygov.com for updates. Commissioners approved a motion to waive residential yard‑waste disposal fees at Rosemary Hill and extend hours for post‑storm drop‑offs to help homeowners manage debris.

Waste Management briefed the board on curbside collection plans: curbside pickup will operate normally Wednesday, be suspended Thursday and Friday, and resume Monday; drop‑off centers will be closed Thursday and Friday and may reopen Saturday depending on power and landfill access. The company said it will prioritize residential containerized debris and coordinate with contracted large‑debris haulers for limb piles eligible for FEMA reimbursement.

The board also directed staff to keep messaging current and coordinate shelter, transportation and debris plans with municipal and regional partners. Commissioners urged residents to secure supplies, make evacuation plans and follow official instructions.

The county’s next steps include continuing 24‑hour EOC operations, executing planned transports of medically dependent residents, monitoring critical waterways for flooding triggers, and standing by to implement debris collection and recovery contracts after the storm.