Full Notification

The Jekyll Island Authority has declared a State of Emergency in conjunction with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp's State of Emergency, effective Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at 5:00 PM, and will remain in effect until it expires on Friday, September 1, at 8:00 AM, unless otherwise renewed.

The Executive Order has vested the Jekyll Island State Park Authority Executive Director with the authority in the event of an emergency to take such actions and to issue reasonable orders as necessary to promote and secure the safety and protection of the public on Jekyll Island.

There are no Jekyll Island evacuations or road/causeway closures planned at this time. Conditions are continuing to be monitored and additional updates will be communicated.

NEW CLOSURES

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has issued a closure for the Sidney Lanier Bridge beginning Wednesday, August 30 at 12 p.m. or if winds reach 40 mph sustained before that time. The closure will remain in effect for all vehicular traffic until further notice, to ensure the bridge has undergone an extensive inspection.

Residents and employees of businesses should plan to take alternate routes to/from Jekyll Island beginning tomorrow morning in anticipation of closures.

PREVIOUS UPDATES & CLOSURES

Ameris Bank will be closed all day Wednesday, August 30 with an anticipated reopening on Thursday pending minimal impact to operations. Businesses and residents should complete any necessary banking transactions before the close of business today, Tuesday, August 29.

Waste Management trash and recycling services will not take place on Wednesday, August 30. Services will resume on Thursday, pending no road closures, with pickup schedules operating one day behind through Saturday. Service schedules will resume as normal beginning next week.

Glynn County Schools will be closed on Wednesday, August 30, with after-school activities canceled on Wednesday. Schools will dismiss as normal on Tuesday, August 29, with all after-school activities ending by 6:30 p.m. Schools are scheduled to reopen on Thursday, August 31.

The Jekyll Island Authority Administrative Offices will be closed on Wednesday, August 30, but all critical workforce will remain.

The Jekyll Island Authority will also be closing the following facilities on Wednesday, August 30, as follows:

• Jekyll Island Guest Information Center (24-HR gate service will remain)
• Jekyll Island Tennis Center
• Jekyll Island Golf Club
• Jekyll Island Mini Golf & Bikes
• Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum, Faith Chapel, and all Historic Cottages 
• Georgia Sea Turtle Center
• JIA-Operated Retail Shops: Life Is Good and Remember When
• Public Restroom Facilities
• Beach Crossovers

The Jekyll Island Campground will be closed for bookings on Wednesday, August 30, and refunding or rebooking to Thursday as necessary. 

Normal operations are expected to resume for these JIA facilities on Thursday, August 31, unless otherwise communicated.

Hurricane Idalia is forecast to become a major hurricane before making landfall on Wednesday. Tropical Storm warnings are in effect with anticipated storm surge and flooding for our area. Heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and tornado risks are likely beginning Wednesday afternoon and early Thursday as the storm turns northeastward across mid-to-southeast Georgia.

Please continue to pay close attention to weather updates as they are made available, and follow the latest forecast models from the National Weather Service Jacksonville to stay informed between updates. 

Please also review the Jekyll Island Emergency Preparedness Communication webpage on the Jekyll Island website for helpful links and information on storm preparedness and to follow updates on this storm: www.jekyllisland.com/emergency

The full executive order can be found here: bit.ly/3EfN3vy

Instructions:

Please continue to pay close attention to weather updates as they are made available, and follow the latest forecast models from the National Weather Service Jacksonville to stay informed between updates.