####018011025#### WTUS82 KJAX 281518 HLSJAX FLZ020-021-023-024-030-031-033-035-038-122-124-125-132-133-136>138-140-222-225-232-236-237-240-325-340-425-GAZ153-154-162-163-165-166-264-350-364-282330- Tropical Storm Idalia Local Statement Advisory Number 8 National Weather Service Jacksonville FL AL102023 1118 AM EDT Mon Aug 28 2023 This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia **HURRICANE AND TROPICAL STORM WATCHES ISSUED FOR PORTIONS NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch have been issued for Coastal Camden and Coastal Glynn - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Coastal Duval, Coastal Flagler, Coastal Nassau, Coastal St. Johns, Eastern Clay, Eastern Marion, Eastern Putnam, Inland Camden, Inland Flagler, Inland Glynn, Inland Nassau, Inland St. Johns, South Central Duval, Trout River, Western Clay, Western Duval, and Western Putnam - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Clinch, Echols, Northeastern Charlton, Southern Ware, and Western Charlton * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch are in effect for Coastal Camden and Coastal Glynn - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Coastal Duval, Coastal Flagler, Coastal Nassau, Coastal St. Johns, Eastern Clay, Eastern Marion, Eastern Putnam, Inland Camden, Inland Flagler, Inland Glynn, Inland Nassau, Inland St. Johns, South Central Duval, Trout River, Western Clay, Western Duval, and Western Putnam - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Baker, Bradford, Central Marion, Clinch, Eastern Alachua, Echols, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Northeastern Charlton, Northern Columbia, Southern Columbia, Southern Ware, Suwannee, Union, Western Alachua, Western Charlton, and Western Marion * STORM INFORMATION: - About 700 miles south-southwest of Jacksonville FL or about 640 miles south-southwest of Gainesville FL - 20.8N 85.2W - Storm Intensity 65 mph - Movement North or 360 degrees at 8 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Idalia is forecast to track northward into the southeast Gulf of Mexico tonight. Idalia is forecast to strengthen to Hurricane intensity this evening, and rapid strengthening is possible as the Idalia accelerates north-northeastward towards the Florida Big Bend or Nature Coasts on Tuesday afternoon and night. Idalia is expected to make landfall at Category 3 hurricane strength Wednesday morning, and the hurricane should then turn northeastward as it accelerates across our area on Wednesday. Local impacts from Idalia will begin on Tuesday afternoon and evening, as spiral rain bands begin to overspread our region from southwest to northeast. Heavy rainfall will then continue through the day Wednesday. Tornadoes will be possible across the area on Tuesday night and Wednesday, with higher chances along and to the east and southeast of the Idalia's center. Sustained tropical storm force winds will begin to be felt across north central Florida and the Suwannee Valley during the overnight or predawn hours on Wednesday, with conditions deteriorating quickly towards sunrise, when hurricane force wind gusts will be possible. Sustained tropical storm force winds and occasional hurricane force wind gusts are possible. The core of the storm is forecast to move offshore Wednesday evening. Storm surge potential will increase on Wednesday, especially along the southeast Georgia coast, where life threatening inundation of greater than 3 feet above ground level is possible. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts across along and west of I-75 in bortheast Florida. Potential impacts in this area include: - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks or months. - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. - Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Widespread power and communications outages. Also, prepare for life-threatening wind having possible significant to extensive impacts across the rest of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. * TORNADOES: Prepare for a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across northeast Florida. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll. Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across southeast Georgia. * SURGE: Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts across coastal southeast Georgia. Potential impacts in this area include: - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast. - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low spots. - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents. - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages. Also, prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across coastal northeast Florida and the St. Johns River. * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. Potential impacts include: - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately. For those not under evacuation orders, assess the risk from wind, falling trees, and flooding at your location. If you decide to move, relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do not relocate, help keep roadways open for those under evacuation orders. If evacuating, leave with a destination in mind and allow extra time to get there. Take your emergency supplies kit. Gas up your vehicle ahead of time. Let others know where you are going prior to departure. Secure loose items and pets in the car, and avoid distracted driving. If evacuating, follow designated evacuation routes. Seek traffic information on roadway signs, the radio, and from official sources. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business. When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm. If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or on a boat, plan to move to safe shelter. If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor drainage area, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of others. When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness activities to become unsafe. Be sure to let friends and family members know of your intentions for weathering the storm and your whereabouts. Have someone located away from the threatened area serve as your point of contact. Share vital contact information with others. Keep cell phones handy and charged. Check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are unable to make personal preparations. If you are a visitor, know the name of the county in which you are located and where it is relative to current watches and warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially pertaining to area visitors. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast. There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Jacksonville FL around 530 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$