WTUS82 KJAX 041534 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>154-162-163-165-166-250-264-350-364-042345- Tropical Storm Debby Local Statement Advisory Number 9 National Weather Service Jacksonville FL AL042024 1134 AM EDT Sun Aug 4 2024 This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia **DEBBY STRENGTHENING OVER THE EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Atkinson, Clinch, Eastern Hamilton, Echols, Northern Columbia, and Southeastern Columbia - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Appling, Bacon, Coffee, and Jeff Davis * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Atkinson, Clinch, Eastern Hamilton, Echols, Gilchrist, Northern Columbia, Southeastern Columbia, 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 Appling, Bacon, Baker, Bradford, Brantley, Central Marion, Coffee, Eastern Alachua, Eastern Marion, Inland Camden, Inland Glynn, Jeff Davis, Northeastern Charlton, Northern Ware, Pierce, Southern Ware, Union, Wayne, and Western Charlton * STORM INFORMATION: - About 290 miles southwest of Jacksonville FL or about 200 miles southwest of Ocala FL - 27.0N 84.3W - Storm Intensity 65 mph - Movement North-northwest or 330 degrees at 13 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Debby will track northward over the eastern Gulf of Mexico Today and Tonight, then begin to track northeast on Monday. Debby is expected to reach hurricane strength prior to landfall during the day Monday along the Big Bend coast then track slowly through Southeast Georgia Monday Night. Outer rainbands from Debby will begin to increase over northeast Florida this afternoon along with an increasing tornado threat, with the heaviest rainfall overspreading the area tonight through Monday night. The greatest local hazard will be flooding rainfall potential, followed by 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. In addition to heavy rainfall, storm surge inundation of 2 to 4 feet is possible along the southeast Georgia coast, with lesser surge values further south. Heavy coastal rainfall combined with surge will create significant flooding issues, especially in poor drainage areas of coastal communities. If Debby strengthens further 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 later tonight through Monday. Isolated tornadoes and waterspouts will be possible beginning this afternoon through tonight and continuing on 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. * 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. * WIND: Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across inland Northeast Florida and all of 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. 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 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$