WTUS82 KJAX 040941 HLSJAX FLZ021-023-024-030-031-033-035-038-120-124-125-132-133-136>138-140-220-225-232-236-237-240-322-325-340-422-425-522-GAZ132>136-149-151>154-162-163-165-166-250-264-350-364-041745- Tropical Storm Debby Local Statement Advisory Number 8 National Weather Service Jacksonville FL AL042024 541 AM EDT Sun Aug 4 2024 This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia **DEBBY STRENGTHENING OVER THE SOUTHEASTERN GULF OF MEXICO** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Watch has been issued for Coastal Camden and Coastal Glynn * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Gilchrist, Southwestern Columbia, Suwannee, Western Alachua, Western Hamilton, and Western Marion - A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch are in effect for Coastal Camden and Coastal Glynn - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Atkinson, Baker, Bradford, Brantley, Central Marion, Clinch, Eastern Alachua, Eastern Hamilton, Eastern Marion, Echols, Inland Camden, Inland Glynn, Northeastern Charlton, Northern Columbia, Northern Ware, Pierce, Southeastern Columbia, Southern Ware, Union, Wayne, and Western Charlton * STORM INFORMATION: - About 370 miles south-southwest of Jacksonville FL or about 280 miles south-southwest of Ocala FL - 25.5N 84.0W - Storm Intensity 50 mph - Movement North-northwest or 330 degrees at 13 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Debby will track northward ever the eastern Gulf of Mexico today, then begin to track north to northeast tonight into early Monday. Debby is expected to reach hurricane strength prior to landfall during the day Monday along the Florida Apalachee Bay coast. Outer rainbands from Debby will begin to increase over northeast Florida today, with the heaviest rainfall overspreading the area tonight through Monday night. The greatest local hazards will be flooding rainfall potential and river flooding. Debby will likely slow down after landfall late Monday into Tuesday over the southeast U.S. coast, which will continue the flooding rainfall threat. Storm surge inundation of 2 to 4 feet is possible along the southeast Georgia coast, with surge surge values less than 3 ft along the northeast Florida coast. Heavy coastal rainfall combined with surge will create significant flooding issues,especially in poor drainage areas of coastal communities. As Debby strengthens prior to landfall, portions of the Suwannee River Valley could experience strong tropical storm force winds. Gusts to tropical storm force are expected in heavy rainbands across southeast Georgia and northeast Florida Sunday night through Monday. Isolated tornadoes and waterspouts will be possible beginning Sunday evening and through Sunday night and Monday. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across southeast Georgia and 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. * WIND: Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across the Suwannee River Valley, interior southeast Georgia and coastal southeast Georgia. Potential impacts in this area include: - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles. - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines. * 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. Elsewhere across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * TORNADOES: Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across southeast Georgia and northeast Florida. 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: 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 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. 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 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. $$