[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

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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.

$$
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