Ponte Vedra Beach hurricane guide: find your evacuation zone, the A1A-to-Butler route out, shelters, alerts and tax-free supplies. Emergency Management: 904-824-5550.
Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Facts on this page come from St. Johns County Emergency Management, its evacuation page and shelter list, and the Florida Department of Revenue. Hurricane season runs June 1 to Nov. 30.
Ponte Vedra Beach sits on the Atlantic coast with the Intracoastal Waterway behind it, so storm surge, not just wind, decides who must leave. St. Johns County Emergency Management orders evacuations by zone. Know your zone now, before a storm has a name. Call Emergency Management at 904-824-5550.
Who to call
- St. Johns County Emergency Management: 904-824-5550, SJC-EOC@sjcfl.us, 100 EOC Drive, St. Augustine
- Find your zone: My Evacuation Zone
- Alerts: Alert St. Johns sign-up
- Ride to a shelter or special needs registration: 904-824-5550 or online
- Forecasts: the National Weather Service in Jacksonville and the National Hurricane Center
- Emergencies: 911
Know your zone
St. Johns County uses six evacuation zones, A to F:
- Zone A: the most low-lying land along the coast and the river
- Zones B, C, D and E: step inland and higher as you move away from the coast
- Zone F: an area along the St. Johns River that is prone to flooding
Evacuation orders are announced by zone. Your zone is set by your address, not your neighborhood name, so look it up with the My Evacuation Zone tool. The county also says to plan to leave if you live in a mobile home, RV, camper or boat, whatever your zone.
The way out
The county’s published evacuation routes for this area:
| If you live in | Go |
|---|---|
| Ponte Vedra Beach and Sawgrass | North on State Road A1A, west on Butler Boulevard to I-95 or points west |
| Palm Valley and Nocatee | Southwest to County Road 210, then to I-95 or points west |
| The coast between Mickler’s Landing and South Ponte Vedra Beach, north of Guana Dam | North on A1A, west across the Palm Valley Bridge on CR 210 |
| The same stretch, south of Guana Dam | South on A1A, west across the Vilano Bridge, then State Road 16 to I-95 |
Leave early when told to. The county says prompt evacuation avoids traffic and rising water, and that people in areas cut off by a storm may not be reachable by rescuers.
Shelters
Shelters are in public schools and open only when the county announces them with an evacuation order. The shelter that opens may not be the school nearest you. The county asks people with another option, such as a friend’s or relative’s home inland or a hotel, to use it.
- General shelters include Bartram Trail, Beachside and Creekside high schools in St. Johns, Mill Creek Elementary on International Golf Parkway and Pedro Menendez High on State Road 206 West. The full list is on the county’s shelter page.
- Pet-friendly shelters: South Woods Elementary, 4750 State Road 206 West, Elkton, and Timberlin Creek Elementary, 555 Pine Tree Lane, St. Augustine. Only birds, cats, dogs, pocket pets and rabbits are allowed. Bring a crate, bedding, food, water, bowls, leash, medicines and a recent photo of you with your pet.
- Special medical needs shelter: for people who rely on electricity for medical equipment or need oxygen. Pre-registration is required; register online or call 904-824-5550.
Sandbags
The county gave out about 14,000 free sandbags June 23-25, including at the Palm Valley Bridge on the South Roscoe Boulevard side, with a limit of 12 per vehicle and proof of residency, it said. The county announces new giveaways ahead of storms on its news page and through Alert St. Johns.
Tax-free supplies, all year
Florida no longer holds hurricane sales tax holidays. Since Aug. 1, 2025, these items are always exempt, according to the Department of Revenue’s Tax Information Publication 25A01-05 (PDF):
- Portable generators of 10,000 running watts or less
- AA, AAA, C, D, 6-volt and 9-volt batteries
- Waterproof tarps of 1,000 square feet or less
- Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
- Portable gas or diesel cans of 5 gallons or less
- Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers
- Life jackets, insect repellent and sunscreen
Before the storm
- Download the county’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide (PDF), also available at county library branches.
- Sign up for Alert St. Johns and follow the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, which issues watches and warnings for this area.
- Plan for power outages; see our power outage guide.
- After a storm, the county’s storm debris page explains curbside debris pickup; see our trash guide.
What this means for you
- Look up your zone today; orders go out by zone letter.
- Your route out is A1A north to Butler Boulevard, or CR 210 west from Palm Valley.
- Register now if anyone in your home needs the special medical needs shelter.
Frequently asked questions
What evacuation zone is Ponte Vedra Beach in?
It depends on the address. St. Johns County uses zones A to F, with Zone A the low-lying land along the coast and river. Look up your address with the county’s My Evacuation Zone tool.
What is the hurricane evacuation route from Ponte Vedra Beach?
The county’s route for Ponte Vedra Beach and Sawgrass is north on State Road A1A, then west on Butler Boulevard to I-95 or points west. Palm Valley and Nocatee go southwest to County Road 210 and I-95.
Where are hurricane shelters in St. Johns County?
Shelters are in public schools across the county and open only when the county announces them. The two pet-friendly shelters are South Woods Elementary in Elkton and Timberlin Creek Elementary in St. Augustine.
Is there a hurricane sales tax holiday in Florida?
Florida replaced the holidays with a permanent exemption on Aug. 1, 2025. Portable generators of 10,000 running watts or less, AA to D and 6- and 9-volt batteries, and tarps up to 1,000 square feet are always tax-free.
How do I get emergency alerts in St. Johns County?
Sign up for Alert St. Johns, the county’s free emergency notification system, on the county’s alerts page. Emergency Management’s number is 904-824-5550.
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