Issued at 510 AM EDT Mon Sep 2 2019
Hurricane Dorian Local Statement Advisory Number 36 National Weather Service Jacksonville FL AL052019 510 AM EDT Mon Sep 2 2019 This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia **CATEGORY 5 DORIAN CONTINUES TO HAVE DEVASTATING IMPACTS ON GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Inland Flagler and Inland St. Johns - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Coastal Duval, Coastal Flagler, Coastal Nassau, and Coastal St. Johns - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Clay, Eastern Marion, Inland Duval, Inland Nassau, and Putnam * STORM INFORMATION: - About 330 miles southeast of Jacksonville FL - 26.6N 78.2W - Storm Intensity 165 mph - Movement West or 270 degrees at 1 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Major Hurricane Dorian will continue to move very slowly west across the northern Bahamas and then turn northwest just off the Florida east coast by early Tuesday. Dorian is forecast to parallel the coastline Tuesday into Wednesday. Listen to local officials and heed evacuation orders as given. Large battering waves and higher than normal tides will add to the destructive potential, along with beach erosion. Heavy rainfall is forecast over east central Florida with total accumulations of 3 to 6 inches with maximum isolated rainfall amounts to 9 inches along the east coast. Flash flooding is possible, especially in urban and poorly drained areas. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * SURGE: Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible extensive impacts across the beaches of northeast Florida and into the mouth of the St Johns River. Potential impacts in this area include: - Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Large sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss. - Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded. * WIND: Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts across coastal northeast Florida including Flagler, St Johns, coastal Duval and coastal Nassau Counties. Potential impacts in this area 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. Also, prepare for dangerous wind having possible limited to significant impacts across inland Nassau, inland Duval, Clay, Putnam and eastern Marion Counties. * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across Flagler, St Johns, Duval and Nassau Counties. Potential impacts include: - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots. - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately. For those not under evacuation orders, assess the risk from wind, falling trees, and flooding at your location. If you decide to move, relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do not relocate, help keep roadways open for those under evacuation orders. If evacuating, leave with a destination in mind and allow extra time to get there. Take your emergency supplies kit. Gas up your vehicle ahead of time. Let others know where you are going prior to departure. Secure loose items and pets in the car, and avoid distracted driving. If evacuating, follow designated evacuation routes. Seek traffic information on roadway signs, the radio, and from official sources. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business. When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm. 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, plan to move to safe shelter. If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of others. When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness activities to become unsafe. Be sure to let friends and family members know of your intentions for weathering the storm and your whereabouts. Have someone located away from the threatened area serve as your point of contact. Share vital contact information with others. Keep cell phones handy and charged. Check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are unable to make personal preparations. * 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. $$