####018012015#### WTUS82 KJAX 290927 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-GAZ132>136-149-151>154-162-163-165-166-250-264-350-364-291730- Hurricane Idalia Local Statement Advisory Number 11 National Weather Service Jacksonville FL AL102023 527 AM EDT Tue Aug 29 2023 This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia **IDALIA STRENGTHENS TO A HURRICANE AS IT ENTERS THE GULF OF MEXICO AND IS EXPECTED TO RAPIDLY INTENSIFY AS IT APPROACHES THE FLORIDA BIG BEND COAST TONIGHT** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Coffee, Jeff Davis, Northern Ware, Pierce, and Wayne * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Echols, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Northern Columbia, Southern Columbia, Suwannee, Western Alachua, and Western Marion - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Baker, Bradford, Central Marion, Eastern Alachua, and Union - A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect for Coastal Camden and Coastal Glynn - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Clinch, Coastal Duval, Coastal Flagler, Coastal Nassau, Coastal St. Johns, Coffee, Eastern Clay, Eastern Marion, Eastern Putnam, Inland Camden, Inland Flagler, Inland Glynn, Inland Nassau, Inland St. Johns, Jeff Davis, Northeastern Charlton, Northern Ware, Pierce, South Central Duval, Southern Ware, Trout River, Wayne, Western Charlton, Western Clay, Western Duval, and Western Putnam * STORM INFORMATION: - About 550 miles south-southwest of Jacksonville FL or about 450 miles south-southwest of Ocala FL - 23.1N 85.0W - Storm Intensity 75 mph - Movement North or 360 degrees at 14 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Idalia has emerged over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to rapidly strengthen and accelerate north- northeastward towards the Florida Big Bend coast tonight. Idalia is expected to make landfall at Category 3 hurricane intensity early on Wednesday morning, and the hurricane should then turn northeastward across our area through Wednesday evening. Idalia may maintain hurricane intensity as it traverses portions of inland southeast Georgia on Wednesday afternoon, but should weaken to tropical storm intensity as it crosses the Altamaha River towards sunset on Wednesday. Local impacts from Idalia will begin this evening, as spiral rain bands begin to overspread our region from southwest to northeast. Heavy rainfall will then continue Wednesday evening. Tornadoes will be possible across the area on Tuesday night and Wednesday, with higher chances expected for locations along and east of the U.S. Highway 301 corridor. Sustained tropical storm force winds will begin to be felt across north central Florida and the Suwannee Valley during the predawn hours on Wednesday, with conditions deteriorating quickly after sunrise, when hurricane force wind gusts will be possible. Sustained hurricane force winds are expected near the core of Idalia in the Suwannee Valley through the early the mid afternoon hours, with hurricane force gusts possible elsewhere along the Interstate 75 corridor. Sustained tropical storm force winds will be possible elsewhere in our area on Wednesday. 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: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts for locations in western and northern portions of the Suwannee Valley and portions of inland southeast Georgia from Blackshear southwestward through Waycross, Homerville, and Statenville. Potential impacts in these areas 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, protect against life-threatening wind having possible limited to extensive impacts across coastal southeast Georgia. * SURGE: Protect against 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, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across coastal northeast Florida and within the St. Johns River basin. * TORNADOES: Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. 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. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across southeast Georgia and the Suwannee Valley of north Florida. 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. Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited to significant impacts across northeast and north central Florida. 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 complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible. Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather forecast before departing and drive with caution. If heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or have pets. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit. Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making. Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter. If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities. Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed evacuation orders issued by the local authorities. Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown! If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options. 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, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * 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 12 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$