Hurricane Sandy Creating Hazardous Ocean Conditions and Increasing Number of Washback Turtles on St. Johns County Beaches Throughout Weekend
Oct 26th
These extreme storm conditions create wrack line by pushing large amounts of sargassum seaweed onto the beach. Juvenile sea turtles, commonly referred to as washbacks, can become trapped in the seaweed, resulting in exhaustion and a need for medical attention. Beach visitors are asked to refrain from making contact with any washback turtles or attempting to return them to the water. Volunteers, coordinated by St. Johns County, known as the “Washback Watchers” will be conducting surveys throughout the weekend to recover washback sea turtles.
Beach visitors are not encouraged to enter the water during this time. In addition, there is a potential for vehicular access to be restricted intermittently throughout the weekend due to the extreme surf and high tides associated with the storm. St. Johns County staff will continually monitor the storm to ensure public safety remains a top priority. Please visit www.noaa.gov for updated weather and sea condition forecasts related to Hurricane Sandy.
Beach visitors who observe a dangerous situation or a marine animal stranded on the beach are asked to call the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Department at 904.824.8304. For information regarding beach conditions or coastal wildlife, please contact St. Johns County Habitat Conservation at 904.209.0331. For more information regarding hurricane preparedness, evacuation zones, and disaster planning, please visit www.sjcemergencymanagement.org.
Vehicular Access to St. Johns County Beaches Intermittently Restricted Due to Residual Hurricane Sandy Impacts
Due to the strength and proximity of Hurricane Sandy and the approaching full moon high tides, vehicular access to St. Johns County beaches may be restricted through Sunday, October 28. A potential for the flooding of vehicle access ramps and the driving lane could require limited access to ensure visitor safety. The beach is open to pedestrians and can be accessed through the off beach parking lots available throughout St. Johns County. Beach visitors are strongly encouraged to remain out of the water during this significant weather event. For preparedness information and Hurricane Sandy situation reports as they become available, please visit the www.sjcemergencymanagement.org. Please call 904.209.0331 for updated information regarding beach access.
Source: City of St. Augustine
Fire Rescue news
Oct 26th
Date: 10/25/2012
Time: 9 a.m.
Incident Type: Structure Fire
St. Johns County Fire Rescue (SJCFR) responded to a structure fire early Thursday morning involving multiple units at the Ocean Villas condominium complex at 850 A1A Beach Blvd. in St. Augustine Beach. Initial arriving crews initiated an aggressive fire attack after finding smoke and flames showing from a single unit. The main body of the fire was knocked down within 20 minutes. Firefighters then extinguished smaller pockets of fire that spread to several adjoining units. A total of 16 SJCFR fire suppression, rescue and command units battled the fire, along with a Ladder truck from the St. Augustine Fire Department.
One adult occupant of the condominium complex was treated by paramedics on scene and transported to Flagler Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. No further details regarding the patient’s injuries or condition were available at the time of this release.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and is the subject of an investigation by SJCFR and the State Fire Marshals Office.
Source: St. Johns County Fire Rescue Department
Occupy Denver to protest Georgetown evistion
Oct 25th
She has fought them in court, but is now facing eviction and has requested that Occupy Denver stand with her at her home in hope of persuading the police to do the right thing and allow her some more time to continue her legal efforts. She has asked the bank for 30 days during which time she can find another living situation, but the bank has denied her requests. Members of Occupy Denver are answering her call for help and are occupying her home with her as of Wednesday night. To help us succeed in keeping Sahara in her home of 24 years, we ask that you get involved in this home occupation taking place at 170 Peaceful Valley Lane, Idaho Springs, CO, 80452. To get there, drive west on I70 and take exit 240. Go left at the stop sign on highway 103. After 9.5 miles, there will be two mailboxes on the right marking Peaceful Valley Lane, marked also by a green sign with this street name. Drive 300 yards up this dirt road, then take the right hand turn at the fork in the road, and her house is on the right side of a circular driveway.
for info contact Chris at 720-291-4267 or email outreach@occupydenver.org