FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY: Severe storms cause damage, cleanup underway

Cleanup is underway after severe weather caused damage in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.

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2:57 P.M. UPDATE: Tornado watch for Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia is canceled

1:36 P.M. UPDATE: Severe thunderstorm warning until 2:30 p.m. for Putnam, St. Johns counties

PHOTOS: Severe weather causes damage across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia

1:22 P.M. UPDATE: Severe thunderstorm warning until 1:30 p.m. for Clay, Putnam and St. Johns counties.

1:07 P.M. UPDATE: Severe thunderstorm warning until 1:15 p.m. for Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties.

12:15 P.M. UPDATE: A tree is blocking all lanes on I-10. All eastbound lanes are currently closed in that area.

12:11 P.M. UPDATE: Tornado warning in effect until 1 p.m. Glynn County. The tornado warning in Camden County has extended until 1 p.m.

11:52 A.M. UPDATE: There is a tornado warning in effect until 12:15 p.m. for Nassau, Camden counties. There is a tornado watch in effect for all other local counties until 4 p.m. Friday.

If you can safely send us pictures or video of hail, downed trees, etc, please email us at news@actionnewsjax.com or send us a Facebook message.

For live radar and severe storm alerts, download the free First Alert Weather app here.

NAS JAX Closure: 

According to NAS Jacksonville, per protocol, all non-essential personnll must leave the station before 1 p.m. Friday. All MWR facilities will close also close at 1 p.m. Authorities asks parents to pick up their children early from the Child Development Center if possible. The Navy Exchange, gas station and the commissary will close at 12 p.m. Friday.

10:53 A.M. UPDATE: Tornado warning in effect for Columbia, Baker counties until 11:15 a.m.

10:20 A.M. UPDATE: There is a tornado watch in effect for all local counties until 4 p.m.

Heavy rain and strong wind gusts will reach Jacksonville by roughly 3 this afternoon.

Please be weather aware as, Friday, April 19 is a First Alert Weather Day.

WHAT TO EXPECT: 

• WIND. A Wind Advisory will be in effect for the entire area from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Winds will be out of the south and southwest at 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.
• HEAVY RAIN.  A squall line of heavy rain and strong storms will track west to east across our area. Timing will bring that line of potential severe weather to communities west of Hwy 301 from about 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and east Hwy 301 towards I-95 from 1 to 5 p.m. before it moves off the coast.
• POSSIBLE TORNADOES. In addition to heavy rain, the area will see the threat of damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes as this squall line passes through.
• SUMMARY: During the day, you should expect it to be mostly cloudy, windy with heavy rain and strong storms. Tonight, expect evening showers, a partial clearing and breezy temperatures.

For live radar and severe storm alerts, download the free First Alert Weather app here.

Due to the severe weather, Ware County Schools and the Central Office will be closed tomorrow for all students and staff.

Cumber Island National Seashore is canceling all ferry services Friday as well.

As we get more closings and cancellations we will let you know.

HOW WILL THIS AFFECT YOUR WEEKEND?

The weekend will be much cooler and breezy. The low for Saturday will be 53 degrees and the high will be 75 degrees. For Easter Sunday, it will be a chilly morning, with lows in the upper 40s and a high of 76 degrees.

Cox Media Group