Tropical Cyclone Statement Issued
From
City of Hawthorne
Sent
Thu, Sep 26 @ 5:35pm
Description
Tropical Cyclone Statement issued September 26 at 5:22PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
HLSJAX
This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia
**MAJOR HURRICANE HELENE EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL IN THE FLORIDA BIG
BEND THIS EVENING**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- The Tropical Storm Warning has been upgraded to a Hurricane
Warning for Jeff Davis
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Atkinson, Clinch, Coffee,
Eastern Hamilton, Echols, Gilchrist, Jeff Davis, 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, 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 190 miles southwest of Gainesville FL
- 27.9N 84.6W
- Storm Intensity 125 mph
- Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 23 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Hurricane Helene is now a major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico off
the coast of central Florida. Helene will continue to rapidly
strengthen as it moves northward and is predicted to make landfall in
the Florida Big Bend around sunset. Given the size of Helene, impacts
will be experienced far from the center. After landfall, Helene will
rapidly move north into southern Georgia tonight.
Hurricane force wind gusts are expected this evening for the Suwannee
Valley and far inland areas of southeast Georgia. Sustained major
hurricane strength winds will be possible for Suwannee Valley tonight
if Helene tracks more eastward. 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 possible,
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 Suwannee Valley and far inland
southeast Georgia.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
Suwannee Valley and far inland southeast Georgia. Remain well sheltered
from life- threatening wind having devastating impacts. If realized,
these impacts 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.
Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across the remainder of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia.
Remain well sheltered from dangerous wind having limited to extensive
impacts.
* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across northeast
Florida and southeast Georgia. Remain well braced against a
particularly dangerous tornado event having possible 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.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
Suwanee Valley and far inland southeast Georgia. 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.
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the remainder of northeast florida and southeast Georgia.
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 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.
Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos.
Quickly move to the safest place within your shelter if it begins to
fail, preferably an interior room on the lowest floor as long as
flooding is not a concern.
If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch
or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic
rise in water levels.
If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the
safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body.
* 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 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.
