Tropical Cyclone Statement Issued
From
City of Hawthorne
Sent
Thu, Sep 26 @ 11:30am
Description
Tropical Cyclone Statement issued September 26 at 11:19AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
HLSJAX
This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia
**HELENE STRENGTHENING AND EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL IN THE FLORIDA
BIG BEND 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 420 miles southwest of Jacksonville FL or about 440 miles
south-southwest of Waycross GA
- 25.5N 85.5W
- Storm Intensity 105 mph
- Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 14 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Hurricane Helene is gaining speed and strengthening as it
moves north northeastward through the southern Gulf of Mexico. Helene
is forecasted to continue to strengthen and grow in size through this
afternoon and is predicted to make landfall along the Florida
Panhandle as a Major Hurricane tonight. Given the size of
Helene, impacts will be experienced far from the center. After landfall,
Helene will rapidly move north into southern Georgia overnight.
Hurricane force wind gusts are expected this evening for the Suwannee
Valley and far inland areas of southeast Georgia. Elsewhere, tropical
storm force winds will become widespread this 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.
Scattered tornadoes are possible within the outer rainbands through tonight
across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia.
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:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
inland northeast Florida and southeast Georgia mainly along and west
of the I-75 corridor. Remain well sheltered from life-threatening wind
having possible extensive impacts. If realized, these impacts 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.
Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across the rest of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. Remain
well sheltered from dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant impacts.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia, particularly along the
I-75 corridor. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood
waters having possible extensive impacts. If realized, these 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:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across northeast
Florida and southeast Georgia. Remain well braced against a particularly
dangerous tornado event having additional extensive impacts. If realized,
these 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.
* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
coastal northeast Florida and southeast Georgia and within the St.
Johns River Basin. Remain well away from locally hazardous
surge having additional limited impacts. If realized, these impacts
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.
Elsewhere across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, little to
no impact is anticipated.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for
updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a
battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.
During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your
shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best
foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather.
Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose
power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and
check-ins.
If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the
safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body.
If an Extreme Wind Warning is issued for your area, move to the
safest place within your shelter. Take the same life-saving actions
as if it were a violent tornado.
* 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 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.
