[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

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Hurricane Idalia Local Statement Advisory Number 12
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL  AL102023
1117 AM EDT Tue Aug 29 2023

This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia

**LIFE-THREATENING HURRICANE CONDITIONS EXPECTED ALONG PORTIONS
OF THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY**

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning have been
      upgraded to a Hurricane Warning for Baker, Bradford, Eastern
      Alachua, and Union
    - The Tropical Storm Warning has been upgraded to a Hurricane
      Warning for Clinch, Northeastern Charlton, Northern Ware,
      Southern Ware, and Western Charlton
    - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Brantley and Pierce

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Baker, Bradford, Clinch,
      Eastern Alachua, Echols, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Northeastern
      Charlton, Northern Columbia, Northern Ware, Southern Columbia,
      Southern Ware, Suwannee, Union, Western Alachua, Western
      Charlton, and Western Marion
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Brantley, Central Marion, and Pierce
    - 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, 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, South Central Duval,
      Trout River, Wayne, Western Clay, Western Duval, and Western
      Putnam

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 450 miles south-southwest of Jacksonville FL or about 480
      miles south-southwest of Waycross GA
    - 24.6N 84.8W
    - Storm Intensity 85 mph
    - Movement North or 5 degrees at 14 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Hurricane Idalia is strengthening in 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 strengthen through landfall Wednesday morning, and will
be a devastating major hurricane. Idalia is expected to maintain
hurricane intensity as it traverses inland southeast Georgia on
Wednesday afternoon, but should weaken to tropical storm
intensity as it crosses the Altamaha River towards sunset on
Wednesday.

Your final preparations need to be finished before sunset this
evening. If you have been ordered to evacuate, leave today before
sunset. Conditions will rapidly deteriorate tonight and into the day
Wednesday.

Hurricane conditions are likely in the Suwannee River Basin and into
southeast Georgia. Residents in the Suwannee Valley need to prepare
for a major hurricane with sustained winds over 110 mph. 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 tonight 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 winds will be possible.
Sustained hurricane force winds are expected near the core of Idalia
in the Suwannee Valley through portions of southeast Georgia through the
early to 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 across the Suwannee Valley and southwestern portions of 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 the rest of southeast Georgia and interior
portions of northeast Florida.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across southeast Georgia and portions of northeast
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 the rest of northeast Florida.

* 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.

* 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.

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 in which
it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay
attention for instructions from 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 530 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
This weather bulletin was brought to you by:
www.nashvilleweather.net