298  
WTUS82 KJAX 300959  
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>154-162-163-165-166-250-264-350-364-301800-  
 
HURRICANE IDALIA LOCAL STATEMENT ADVISORY NUMBER 15  
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL AL102023  
559 AM EDT WED AUG 30 2023  
 
THIS PRODUCT COVERS NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA  
 
**MAJOR HURRICANE IDALIA INTENSIFIES TO CATEGORY 4 INTENSITY.  
PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN THE  
SUWANNEE VALLEY AND INLAND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA.**  
 
NEW INFORMATION  
---------------  
 
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:  
- NONE  
 
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:  
- A TROPICAL STORM WARNING, STORM SURGE WATCH, AND HURRICANE  
WATCH ARE IN EFFECT FOR COASTAL CAMDEN AND COASTAL GLYNN  
- A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR APPLING, ATKINSON, BACON,  
BAKER, BRADFORD, BRANTLEY, CLINCH, COFFEE, EASTERN ALACHUA,  
ECHOLS, GILCHRIST, HAMILTON, JEFF DAVIS, NORTHEASTERN CHARLTON,  
NORTHERN COLUMBIA, NORTHERN WARE, PIERCE, SOUTHERN COLUMBIA,  
SOUTHERN WARE, SUWANNEE, UNION, WAYNE, WESTERN ALACHUA, WESTERN  
CHARLTON, AND WESTERN MARION  
- A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND HURRICANE WATCH ARE IN EFFECT FOR  
INLAND CAMDEN AND INLAND GLYNN  
- A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR CENTRAL MARION,  
COASTAL DUVAL, COASTAL FLAGLER, COASTAL NASSAU, COASTAL ST.  
JOHNS, EASTERN CLAY, EASTERN MARION, EASTERN PUTNAM, INLAND  
FLAGLER, INLAND NASSAU, INLAND ST. JOHNS, SOUTH CENTRAL DUVAL,  
TROUT RIVER, WESTERN CLAY, WESTERN DUVAL, AND WESTERN PUTNAM  
 
* STORM INFORMATION:  
- ABOUT 110 MILES WEST OF OCALA FL OR ABOUT 180 MILES SOUTHWEST  
OF WAYCROSS GA  
- 29.1N 84.1W  
- STORM INTENSITY 130 MPH  
- MOVEMENT NORTH-NORTHEAST OR 25 DEGREES AT 18 MPH  
 
SITUATION OVERVIEW  
------------------  
 
MAJOR HURRICANE IDALIA HAS CONTINUED TO RAPIDLY STRENGTHEN  
OVERNIGHT AND HAS REACHED CATEGORY 4 INTENSITY, WITH MAXIMUM SUSTAINED  
WINDS NEAR 130 MPH. IDALIA WILL MAKE LANDFALL ALONG THE TAYLOR COUNTY  
COAST TOWARDS SUNRISE. IDALIA IS EXPECTED TO MAINTAIN HURRICANE  
INTENSITY AS IT TRAVERSES THE NORTHERN SUWANNEE VALLEY OF NORTH  
FLORIDA AS WELL AS INLAND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA FROM THE EARLY MORNING  
HOURS THROUGH THE EARLY AFTERNOON. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR  
DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANE FORCE WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 115 MPH FOR  
LOCATIONS FROM LIVE OAK AND JASPER WESTWARD IN SUWANNEE AND HAMILTON  
COUNTIES THIS MORNING. WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 100 MPH WILL BE  
POSSIBLE FOR LOCATIONS ACROSS INLAND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA FROM  
STATENVILLE TO HOMERVILLE TO WAYCROSS AND BLACKSHEAR. SUSTAINED  
HURRICANE FORCE WINDS WILL BE POSSIBLE AT LOCATIONS SUCH AS JESUP  
TOWARDS THE EARLY AFTERNOON HOURS AS THE CORE OF IDALIA APPROACHES AND  
CROSSES THE ALTAMAHA RIVER.  
 
FINAL PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE FINISHED.  
CONDITIONS WILL RAPIDLY DETERIORATE THROUGH THE EARLY MORNING HOURS IN  
NORTHERN PORTIONS OF THE SUWANNEE VALLEY, AND THROUGH THE MID TO LATE  
MORNING HOURS ACROSS SOUTHEAST GEORGIA. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY  
DANGEROUS, LIFE THREATENING SITUATION FOR THE NORTHERN SUWANNEE VALLEY  
AND MUCH OF INLAND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA.  
 
TORNADOES WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS OUR AREA TODAY, AND A TORNADO WATCH  
HAS BEEN ISSUED THROUGH 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON. STORM SURGE POTENTIAL  
WILL INCREASE TODAY, ESPECIALLY ALONG THE SOUTHEAST GEORGIA COAST,  
WHERE LIFE THREATENING INUNDATION OF GREATER THAN 3 FEET ABOVE GROUND  
LEVEL IS POSSIBLE. A SURGE OF 1 TO 3 FEET IS POSSIBLE ALONG THE  
NORTHEAST FLORIDA COAST, AND THE ST JOHNS RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN  
DUVAL COUNTY TODAY.  
 
POTENTIAL IMPACTS  
-----------------  
 
* WIND:  
PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING WIND HAVING POSSIBLE DEVASTATING  
IMPACTS ACROSS THE NORTHERN SUWANNEE VALLEY OF NORTH FLORIDA AND INLAND  
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 COASTAL SOUTHEAST GEORGIA, NORTH CENTRAL  
AND 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.  
 
* 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 AND LOCATIONS WITHIN THE ST.  
JOHNS RIVER BASIN.  
 
* FLOODING RAIN:  
PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING RAINFALL FLOODING HAVING POSSIBLE  
EXTENSIVE IMPACTS ACROSS INLAND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA.  
 
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 COASTAL SOUTHEAST GEORGIA, NORTHEAST AND  
NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA.  
 
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:  
 
PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO  
COMPLETION EARLY THIS MORNING, 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 OR PARISH IN WHICH  
IT RESIDES. LISTEN FOR THESE LOCATIONS IN LOCAL NEWS UPDATES. PAY  
ATTENTION FOR INSTRUCTIONS FROM LOCAL AUTHORITIES.  
 
STORM SURGE IS THE LEADING KILLER ASSOCIATED WITH TROPICAL STORMS AND  
HURRICANES! MAKE SURE YOU ARE IN A SAFE AREA AWAY FROM THE SURGE  
ZONE. EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT IN A SURGE-PRONE AREA, YOU COULD FIND  
YOURSELF CUTOFF BY FLOOD WATERS DURING AND AFTER THE STORM. HEED  
EVACUATION ORDERS ISSUED BY THE 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 12 PM EDT, OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS  
WARRANT.  
 

 
 
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