866  
WTUS82 KJAX 291517  
HLSJAX  
FLZ020-021-023-024-030-031-033-035-038-122-124-125-132-133-136>138-140-222-225-232-236-237-240-325-340-425-GAZ132>136-149-151>154-162-163-165-166-250-264-350-364-292330-  
 
HURRICANE IDALIA LOCAL STATEMENT ADVISORY NUMBER 12  
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL AL102023  
1117 AM EDT TUE AUG 29 2023  
 
THIS PRODUCT COVERS NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA  
 
**LIFE-THREATENING HURRICANE CONDITIONS EXPECTED ALONG PORTIONS  
OF THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY**  
 
NEW INFORMATION  
---------------  
 
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:  
- THE HURRICANE WATCH AND TROPICAL STORM WARNING HAVE BEEN  
UPGRADED TO A HURRICANE WARNING FOR BAKER, BRADFORD, EASTERN  
ALACHUA, AND UNION  
- THE TROPICAL STORM WARNING HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO A HURRICANE  
WARNING FOR CLINCH, NORTHEASTERN CHARLTON, NORTHERN WARE,  
SOUTHERN WARE, AND WESTERN CHARLTON  
- A HURRICANE WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR BRANTLEY AND PIERCE  
 
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:  
- A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR BAKER, BRADFORD, CLINCH,  
EASTERN ALACHUA, ECHOLS, GILCHRIST, HAMILTON, NORTHEASTERN  
CHARLTON, NORTHERN COLUMBIA, NORTHERN WARE, SOUTHERN COLUMBIA,  
SOUTHERN WARE, SUWANNEE, UNION, WESTERN ALACHUA, WESTERN  
CHARLTON, AND WESTERN MARION  
- A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND HURRICANE WATCH ARE IN EFFECT FOR  
BRANTLEY, CENTRAL MARION, AND PIERCE  
- A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND STORM SURGE WATCH ARE IN EFFECT  
FOR COASTAL CAMDEN AND COASTAL GLYNN  
- A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR APPLING, ATKINSON,  
BACON, COASTAL DUVAL, COASTAL FLAGLER, COASTAL NASSAU, COASTAL  
ST. JOHNS, COFFEE, EASTERN CLAY, EASTERN MARION, EASTERN  
PUTNAM, INLAND CAMDEN, INLAND FLAGLER, INLAND GLYNN, INLAND  
NASSAU, INLAND ST. JOHNS, JEFF DAVIS, SOUTH CENTRAL DUVAL,  
TROUT RIVER, WAYNE, WESTERN CLAY, WESTERN DUVAL, AND WESTERN  
PUTNAM  
 
* STORM INFORMATION:  
- ABOUT 450 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF JACKSONVILLE FL OR ABOUT 480  
MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF WAYCROSS GA  
- 24.6N 84.8W  
- STORM INTENSITY 85 MPH  
- MOVEMENT NORTH OR 5 DEGREES AT 14 MPH  
 
SITUATION OVERVIEW  
------------------  
 
HURRICANE IDALIA IS STRENGTHENING IN SOUTHEASTERN GULF OF MEXICO  
AND IS FORECAST TO RAPIDLY STRENGTHEN AND ACCELERATE NORTH-  
NORTHEASTWARD TOWARDS THE FLORIDA BIG BEND COAST TONIGHT. IDALIA IS  
EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN THROUGH LANDFALL WEDNESDAY MORNING, AND WILL  
BE A DEVASTATING MAJOR HURRICANE. IDALIA IS EXPECTED TO MAINTAIN  
HURRICANE INTENSITY AS IT TRAVERSES INLAND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA ON  
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, BUT SHOULD WEAKEN TO TROPICAL STORM  
INTENSITY AS IT CROSSES THE ALTAMAHA RIVER TOWARDS SUNSET ON  
WEDNESDAY.  
 
YOUR FINAL PREPARATIONS NEED TO BE FINISHED BEFORE SUNSET THIS  
EVENING. IF YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO EVACUATE, LEAVE TODAY BEFORE  
SUNSET. CONDITIONS WILL RAPIDLY DETERIORATE TONIGHT AND INTO THE DAY  
WEDNESDAY.  
 
HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY IN THE SUWANNEE RIVER BASIN AND INTO  
SOUTHEAST GEORGIA. RESIDENTS IN THE SUWANNEE VALLEY NEED TO PREPARE  
FOR A MAJOR HURRICANE WITH SUSTAINED WINDS OVER 110 MPH. LOCAL IMPACTS  
FROM IDALIA WILL BEGIN THIS EVENING, AS SPIRAL RAIN BANDS BEGIN TO  
OVERSPREAD OUR REGION FROM SOUTHWEST TO NORTHEAST. HEAVY RAINFALL WILL  
THEN CONTINUE WEDNESDAY EVENING.  
 
TORNADOES WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE AREA ON TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY,  
WITH HIGHER CHANCES EXPECTED FOR LOCATIONS ALONG AND EAST OF THE U.S.  
HIGHWAY 301 CORRIDOR. SUSTAINED TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS WILL BEGIN  
TO BE FELT ACROSS NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA AND THE SUWANNEE VALLEY DURING THE  
PREDAWN HOURS ON WEDNESDAY, WITH CONDITIONS DETERIORATING QUICKLY  
AFTER SUNRISE, WHEN HURRICANE FORCE WINDS WILL BE POSSIBLE.  
SUSTAINED HURRICANE FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED NEAR THE CORE OF IDALIA  
IN THE SUWANNEE VALLEY THROUGH PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST GEORGIA THROUGH THE  
EARLY TO MID AFTERNOON HOURS, WITH HURRICANE FORCE GUSTS POSSIBLE  
ELSEWHERE ALONG THE INTERSTATE 75 CORRIDOR. SUSTAINED TROPICAL STORM  
FORCE WINDS WILL BE POSSIBLE ELSEWHERE IN OUR AREA ON WEDNESDAY.  
STORM SURGE POTENTIAL WILL INCREASE ON WEDNESDAY, ESPECIALLY ALONG THE  
SOUTHEAST GEORGIA COAST, WHERE LIFE THREATENING INUNDATION OF GREATER  
THAN 3 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL IS POSSIBLE.  
 
POTENTIAL IMPACTS  
-----------------  
 
* WIND:  
PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING WIND HAVING POSSIBLE DEVASTATING  
IMPACTS ACROSS THE SUWANNEE VALLEY AND SOUTHWESTERN PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST  
GEORGIA. POTENTIAL IMPACTS IN THIS AREA 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.  
 
ALSO, PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING WIND HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED  
TO EXTENSIVE IMPACTS ACROSS THE REST OF SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND INTERIOR  
PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA.  
 
* FLOODING RAIN:  
PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING RAINFALL FLOODING HAVING POSSIBLE  
EXTENSIVE IMPACTS ACROSS SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND PORTIONS OF 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.  
 
PROTECT AGAINST DANGEROUS RAINFALL FLOODING HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED  
TO SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ACROSS THE REST OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA.  
 
* 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.  
 
ALSO, PROTECT AGAINST LOCALLY HAZARDOUS SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED  
IMPACTS ACROSS COASTAL NORTHEAST FLORIDA.  
 
* TORNADOES:  
PROTECT AGAINST A DANGEROUS TORNADO EVENT HAVING POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANT  
IMPACTS ACROSS NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA. 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:  
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 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 RELOCATING TO SAFE SHELTER, LEAVE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.  
ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION. MANY ROADS AND BRIDGES  
WILL BE CLOSED ONCE STRONG WINDS ARRIVE. CHECK THE LATEST WEATHER  
FORECAST BEFORE DEPARTING AND DRIVE WITH CAUTION.  
 
IF HEADING TO A COMMUNITY SHELTER, BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE SHELTER  
RULES BEFORE ARRIVAL, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS OR HAVE  
PETS. TAKE ESSENTIAL ITEMS WITH YOU FROM YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES KIT.  
 
FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY SHELTER MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR LOSS OF  
LIFE. ALWAYS HEED THE ADVICE OF LOCAL OFFICIALS AND COMPLY WITH ANY  
ORDERS THAT ARE ISSUED. REMEMBER, DURING THE STORM 9 1 1 EMERGENCY  
SERVICES MAY NOT BE ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESPOND IF CONDITIONS ARE  
UNSAFE. THIS SHOULD BE A BIG FACTOR IN YOUR DECISION MAKING.  
 
KEEP CELL PHONES WELL CHARGED. CELL PHONE CHARGERS FOR AUTOMOBILES  
CAN BE HELPFUL, BUT BE AWARE OF YOUR RISK FOR DEADLY CARBON MONOXIDE  
POISONING IF YOUR CAR IS LEFT IDLING IN A GARAGE OR OTHER POORLY  
VENTILATED AREA.  
 
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMAIN CALM, INFORMED, AND FOCUSED DURING AN  
EMERGENCY. BE PATIENT AND HELPFUL WITH THOSE YOU ENCOUNTER.  
 
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 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 A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA, BE READY TO SHELTER  
QUICKLY, PREFERABLY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND IN AN INTERIOR ROOM NOT  
PRONE TO FLOODING. IF DRIVING, SCAN THE ROADSIDE FOR QUICK SHELTER  
OPTIONS.  
 
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 530 PM EDT, OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS  
WARRANT.  
 

 
 
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