####018011874#### WTUS82 KJAX 300959 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>154-162-163-165-166-250-264-350-364-301800- Hurricane Idalia Local Statement Advisory Number 15 National Weather Service Jacksonville FL AL102023 559 AM EDT Wed Aug 30 2023 This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia **MAJOR HURRICANE IDALIA INTENSIFIES TO CATEGORY 4 INTENSITY. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN THE SUWANNEE VALLEY AND INLAND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA.** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning, Storm Surge Watch, and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Coastal Camden and Coastal Glynn - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Bradford, Brantley, Clinch, Coffee, Eastern Alachua, Echols, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jeff Davis, Northeastern Charlton, Northern Columbia, Northern Ware, Pierce, Southern Columbia, Southern Ware, Suwannee, Union, Wayne, Western Alachua, Western Charlton, and Western Marion - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Inland Camden and Inland Glynn - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Central Marion, Coastal Duval, Coastal Flagler, Coastal Nassau, Coastal St. Johns, Eastern Clay, Eastern Marion, Eastern Putnam, Inland Flagler, Inland Nassau, Inland St. Johns, South Central Duval, Trout River, Western Clay, Western Duval, and Western Putnam * STORM INFORMATION: - About 110 miles west of Ocala FL or about 180 miles southwest of Waycross GA - 29.1N 84.1W - Storm Intensity 130 mph - Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 18 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Major Hurricane Idalia has continued to rapidly strengthen overnight and has reached Category 4 intensity, with maximum sustained winds near 130 mph. Idalia will make landfall along the Taylor County coast towards sunrise. Idalia is expected to maintain hurricane intensity as it traverses the northern Suwannee Valley of north Florida as well as inland southeast Georgia from the early morning hours through the early afternoon. There is the potential for destructive hurricane force wind gusts in excess of 115 mph for locations from Live Oak and Jasper westward in Suwannee and Hamilton Counties this morning. Wind gusts in excess of 100 mph will be possible for locations across inland southeast Georgia from Statenville to Homerville to Waycross and Blackshear. Sustained hurricane force winds will be possible at locations such as Jesup towards the early afternoon hours as the core of Idalia approaches and crosses the Altamaha River. Final preparations to protect life and property should be finished. Conditions will rapidly deteriorate through the early morning hours in northern portions of the Suwannee Valley, and through the mid to late morning hours across southeast Georgia. This is an extremely dangerous, life threatening situation for the northern Suwannee Valley and much of inland southeast Georgia. Tornadoes will be possible across our area today, and a tornado watch has been issued through 3 PM this afternoon. Storm surge potential will increase today, especially along the southeast Georgia coast, where life threatening inundation of greater than 3 feet above ground level is possible. A surge of 1 to 3 feet is possible along the northeast Florida coast, and the St Johns river and its tributaries in Duval County today. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts across the northern Suwannee Valley of north Florida and inland southeast Georgia. 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, protect against life-threatening wind having possible limited to extensive impacts across coastal southeast Georgia, north central and northeast Florida. * 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. * 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 locations within the St. Johns River Basin. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across inland 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. Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited to significant impacts across coastal southeast Georgia, 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: Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion early this morning, 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. $$