Nassau County officials said they don't anticipate opening any shelters, but residents who are registered with special medical needs and are dependent on medical devices requiring electricity can call 904-548-4980.

Nassau County was also monitoring wind speeds on bridges, but did not expect any closures. The county closed its beaches. It will have regular garbage pickup Monday.

Clay County was staffing its Emergency Operations Center to monitor the storm's progress and react as necessary. Memorial Day Services at Camp Blanding were cancelled.

All incoming and outgoing flights at Jacksonville International Airport except for two flights each with JetBlue and Delta were cancelled for Sunday night and Monday morning.

At noon Sunday, Coast Guard Captain of the Port of Jacksonville Andy Blomme closed all commercial waterways from Ponce de Leon Inlet in New Smyrna Beach north to Fernandina Beach in preparation for the storm. The ports of Jacksonville and Fernandina are closed to all inbound and outbound traffic. In addition, the Coast Guard reminds all recreational boaters to exercise caution in the severe conditions and avoid being on the water.

"A three-day thunderstorm is what it's probably going to be," said Jay Wiggins, emergency management director for Glynn County, which is about 60 miles south of Savannah and includes Brunswick and St. Simons Island. "Unfortunately, it's going to ruin a lot of Memorial Day plans."

Wiggins said he expects some flooded roadways and scattered power outages, perhaps some minor flooding in waterfront homes, but otherwise little damage. However, he urged beachgoers to beware of dangerous rip currents.

On Cumberland Island, a federally protected wilderness area beloved by hikers and campers, campers were told to leave by 4:45 p.m. before the storm arrives. Superintendent Fred Boyles said he had about 100 campers who had planned to stay overnight Sunday on the island, which is only reachable by boat.

Beryl was upgraded from a subtropical storm to a full tropical storm just before 4 p.m. Sunday. The system is expected to bring winds and rain to the area regardless of its official classification.

"As Tropical Storm Beryl approaches Florida's northeast coast, I urge all Floridians in the affected communities to stay alert and aware," Gov. Rick Scott said in a statement. "Tropical Storm Beryl is expected to bring heavy rain and winds, and it is vital to continue to monitor local news reports and listen to the advice of local emergency management officials."

For more information, residents can call 904-630-CITY or visit its Emergency Preparedness website at www.JaxReady.org.