WTUS82 KJAX 051518 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>154-162-163-165-166-250-264-350-364-052330- Tropical Storm Debby Local Statement Advisory Number 13 National Weather Service Jacksonville FL AL042024 1118 AM EDT Mon Aug 5 2024 This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia **DEBBY EXPECTED TO CAUSE MAJOR FLOODING OVER PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued and the Hurricane Warning has been cancelled for Clinch, Eastern Hamilton, Echols, Gilchrist, Suwannee, and Western Hamilton * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Coastal Camden and Coastal Glynn - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Bradford, Brantley, Central Marion, Clinch, Coastal Duval, Coastal Nassau, Coastal St. Johns, Coffee, Eastern Alachua, Eastern Clay, Eastern Hamilton, Eastern Marion, Eastern Putnam, Echols, Gilchrist, Inland Camden, Inland Glynn, Inland Nassau, Inland St. Johns, Jeff Davis, Northeastern Charlton, Northern Columbia, Northern Ware, Pierce, South Central Duval, Southeastern Columbia, Southern Ware, Southwestern Columbia, Suwannee, Trout River, Union, Wayne, Western Alachua, Western Charlton, Western Clay, Western Duval, Western Hamilton, Western Marion, and Western Putnam * STORM INFORMATION: - About 110 miles west of Jacksonville FL or about 130 miles west-southwest of Brunswick GA - 30.2N 83.2W - Storm Intensity 70 mph - Movement North-northeast or 30 degrees at 8 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Debby made landfall in the Big Bend region and was moving slowly across the Suwannee Valley. Debby will move slowly northeastward across northeast Florida through the day and southeast Georgia tonight. Debby may begin to stall and meander near the southeast Georgia Atlantic coast Tuesday into Tuesday night. Excessive storm total rainfall amounts of 8 to 16 inches are expected. Locally higher amounts near 20 inches are possible across southeast Georgia. This amount of rainfall will create an extreme threat of flash flooding through Tuesday and moderate to major river flooding on many area rivers. Outer rainbands with heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts and isolated tornadoes will continue to move across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia today. Tropical storm warnings are in effect for most counties across southeast Georgia and northeast Florida. The strongest winds and gusts are expected today through early Tuesday morning. The higher gusts will occur in squalls of heavy rainfall, over lakes, rivers, open pastures and along the coast. Storm surge inundation of 2 to 4 feet is expected along the southeast Georgia coast, with up to 2 feet of storm surge along the northeast Florida coast. Heavy coastal rainfall combined with surge will create significant flooding issues, especially in poor drainage areas of coastal communities. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across southeast Georgia and the Suwannee Valley of northeast Florida. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having additional devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become raging rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across the rest of northeast Florida. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having possible significant to extensive impacts. * WIND: Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. Remain well sheltered from dangerous wind having additional significant impacts. If realized, these impacts 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. * TORNADOES: Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across portions of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts. If realized, these 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. * SURGE: Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across southeast Georgia. Remain well away from life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts 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 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. Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or videos. 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 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$