Tropical Cyclone Statement Issued
From
City of Hawthorne
Sent
Thu, Sep 26 @ 5:35am
Description
Tropical Cyclone Statement issued September 26 at 5:26AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
HLSJAX
This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia
** HURRICANE HELENE GAINING STRENGTH AND FORECAST TO MAKE LANDFALL THIS
EVENING AS A MAJOR HURRICANE **
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Atkinson, Clinch, Coffee,
Eastern Hamilton, Echols, Gilchrist, Northern Columbia,
Southeastern Columbia, Southwestern Columbia, Suwannee, Western
Alachua, Western Hamilton, and Western Marion
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Appling, Bacon,
Baker, Bradford, Brantley, Central Marion, Coastal Camden,
Coastal Duval, Coastal Flagler, Coastal Glynn, Coastal Nassau,
Coastal St. Johns, Eastern Alachua, 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, Union, Wayne, Western
Charlton, Western Clay, Western Duval, and Western Putnam
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 520 miles southwest of Jacksonville FL
- 24.2N 86.2W
- Storm Intensity 90 mph
- Movement North-northeast or 15 degrees at 12 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Hurricane Helene is beginning to gain speed and strengthen as it
moves north northeastward through the southern Gulf of Mexico. Helene
is forecasted to rapidly strengthen and grow in size through this
afternoon and is predicted to make landfall along the Florida
Panhandle as a Major Hurricane around sunset. Given the size of
Helene, impacts will be experienced far the center. After landfall,
Helene will rapidly move north into southern Georgia tonight.
Hurricane force winds remain possible this evening for the Suwannee
Valley and far inland areas of southeast Georgia. Elsewhere, tropical
storm force winds will become widespread this afternoon afternoon and
early evening.
Storm surge inundation of 1 to 3 feet with isolated locations up to
4 feet is expected along the northeast Florida and southeast Georgia
Atlantic coasts and in the St Johns river basin.
Isolated tornadoes are possible within the outer rainbands today with
the potential for scattered tornadoes late this afternoon and evening
north of I-10.
Rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches, with locally higher amounts around
8 inches, are expected across the I-75 corridor into inland southeast
Georgia, with 1 to 3 inches with locally higher amounts further east.
Flash flooding will be possible especially for areas along the
I-75 corridor.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts across inland northeast FLorida and southeast Georgia mainly
along and west of the I-75 corridor.
Potential impacts in this area include:
- Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.
Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be
uninhabitable for weeks.
- Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
roadway signs blown over.
- Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and
access routes impassable.
- Large areas with power and communications outages.
Also, protect against dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant impacts across the rest of northeast Florida and southeast
Georgia.
* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across coastal northeast Florida and southeast Georgia and within the
St. Johns River Basin.
Potential impacts in this area include:
- Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
- Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
surge water covers the road.
- Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
- Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across northeast FL and southeast GA, particularly
along the I-75 corridor.
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.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a particularly dangerous tornado event having
possible extensive impacts across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia,
especially areas north of I-10 and coastal areas from Jacksonville northward.
Potential impacts include:
- The occurrence of numerous tornadoes can greatly hinder the
execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
- Many places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of
immense destruction, power loss, and communications failures.
- Locations could realize roof and wall failures of sturdy
buildings with some being leveled, structures upon weak
foundations blown away, mobile homes obliterated, large trees
twisted and snapped with forested trees uprooted, vehicles
lifted off the ground and thrown, and small boats destroyed.
Large and deadly projectiles can add to the toll.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.
* 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 11 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.
This notification was posted by City of Hawthorne. City of Hawthorne is solely responsible for this notification and unless specifically indicated, no other community or individual utilizing Savvy Citizen is sponsoring, responsible for, or endorsing this notification.
