Hurricane Ian: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry declares state of emergency, announces closings

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry declared a state of emergency effective at noon Wednesday and activated the city's Emergency Operations Center in preparation for Hurricane Ian. 

Government offices will close when the declaration goes into effect, and the city will open the Legends Center at 5 p.m. that evening as an emergency shelter. More will open if needed, Curry said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. 

"For those that do not know, a state of emergency declaration allows the city to more easily allocate dollars and resources to best protect lives and property," Curry said. 

Live updates on Hurricane Ian: Duval County Public Schools cancel classes, storm surge warning issued for area

Duval County Public Schools close: Duval County Public Schools cancels classes; Clay, St. Johns announce closures ahead of Hurricane Ian

Updates on closings: Hurricane Ian: Jacksonville-area closings and cancellations, including Northeast Florida schools

Curry said to prepare as if the storm were a hybrid of Hurricane Irma and be ready for potential flooding, especially in the following communities: downtown Jacksonville, the beaches, San Marco, Riverside, South Hampton, Pirate's Cove, Ortega, Venetia and the area around the stadium. 

The biggest threats to the area as of now, Curry said, include excessive rainfall, winds and tornadoes. 

"The bottom line is: If you flooded during Irma, you have the potential to flood again, so you need to take today and get prepared," Curry said. 

The Beaches communities have also declared states of emergency with Jacksonville Beach's going into effect Monday night, Neptune Beach at 3:30 Tuesday afternoon and Atlantic Beach at noon Wednesday.

Jacksonville City Council is currently still set to meet Tuesday night and will discuss the emergency declaration and other plans. 

The city will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. 

"This is based on the current models of the storm," Curry said. "Hopefully, it moves, and everybody is safe, but we're going to do the right thing right now, make sure we're prepared."