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City manager declares state of emergency, outlines bridge‑closure rule and preparedness steps
Summary
City Manager Jeremiah Lisonbee told the Youth Advisory Council the city declared a state of emergency to speed purchasing and coordinate sheltering as a storm approaches, and explained the bridge will be closed only after sustained winds reach 40 mph for two minutes.
City Manager Jeremiah Lisonbee told the Fernandina Beach Youth Advisory Council that he issued a state of emergency ahead of an approaching storm to allow quicker purchasing and to make the city eligible for reimbursement if damage occurs. "So, yesterday I issued a state of emergency," Lisonbee said, explaining the declaration lets the city move "a little more quickly" and make purchases without the normal bid process.
Lisonbee described interagency coordination with the Nassau County School Board, sheriff's office, fire and police, neighboring towns and the county emergency operations center to align sheltering, facility closures and messaging. He said officials check in multiple times per day to set levels of activation and to coordinate when bridges or facilities might close.
On a frequently asked public safety question, Lisonbee gave a precise threshold for the downtown bridge: "The bridge is only closed if sustained winds are 40 miles per hour or more for a 2 minute period." He added that the Nassau County Sheriff's Office makes the closure call and that the measurement is for sustained wind, not gusts.
Lisonbee also addressed rumors about utilities during storms, saying the city will not proactively turn off water or electricity in a normal storm and that an extreme evacuation scenario would be different. He encouraged residents to follow updates on the city's social channels for the latest advisories.
The briefing concluded with a reminder that preparing early reduces risk to residents and infrastructure; Lisonbee said it is better to declare and prepare even if the storm ultimately skirts the area. The city manager also noted how storm posture can affect eligibility for reimbursements after an event.
The city manager made the presentation during the advisory council's regular meeting; no immediate action beyond public information and preparedness steps was recorded.
