JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Debby will hit the Florida Big Bend Monday morning - likely as a hurricane.
Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia concerns are centered around heavy rain - possibly very heavy, rough seas & surf, a high rip current risk & a few tornadoes/waterspouts. Winds should be gusty but not severe from Highway 301 to the beaches but will more significant & potentially damaging from Lake City to Waycross.
Florida is the “fork in the road” for direction of movement & especially the forward speed.
There is the potential for quite rapid strengthening upon approach to landfall.
Heads up for all of Florida, the Eastern Gulf coast & the U.S. east coast.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
Gusty squalls of heavy rain & storms will impact Florida, Georgia & the coastal Carolina’s through midweek.
A reminder that Jax/NE Fl./SE Ga. will be on the “messy” east side of the storm.
Realize impacts from Debby will occur many miles from the center & OUTSIDE of the forecast cone.
Forecasts are still in flux & subject to change
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
Specifics primarily for NE Fl./SE Ga. given *current* forecast track:
Rainfall: Severe flooding is legitimate concern. Amounts through Wed. will average 6-12″, locally more. As much as 10-15″ possibly nearing 2 feet is well within the realm of ‘possibility’ from Lake City to Waycross eastward across SE Ga. as Debby slows & possibly even stalls. A strong/steady wind from the south Monday may push water from the St. Johns River into parts of downtown Jacksonville. The more north & west over N. Fl & SE Ga., the heavier the rain.
Wind: sustained winds will average 20-30 mph with gusts 40-50 mph from Highway 301 to the coast though some higher speeds will be possible at/near the beaches due to less friction. Sustained winds may peak Monday at 50-60 mph with gusts 70+ mph from Lake City to Waycross due to the closer proximity to the center.
Tornadoes/waterspouts: Isolated threat Sunday afternoon increasing later Sunday night through Monday/Monday night.
Ocean: Seas will average 7-12 feet off the Ga. & Fl. coast, possibly higher by Tuesday depending on exactly where Debby is & how strong. Surf will build to 6-10+ feet. The onshore wind component will not be long lasting which is a good thing for the beaches.
Rip Currents: A high to very high rip current risk at area beaches. The best advice is to stay out of the ocean.
Storm Surge: Little. The majority of the flooding will be due to rainfall.
Power Outages: Sporadic for the I-95 corridor but more widespread & significant from Waycross, Ga. to Lake City, Fl.
Here’s a look at your 7-day forecast:
RIGHT NOW: Mostly cloudy, breezy, very humid with bands of rain, a few storms moving northward across primarily NE Fl.
THE TROPICS: Another tropical wave is approaching the Caribbean. This has at least some potential for longer term development – next name “Ernesto”… another wave has just come off the African coast & bears watching.
TONIGHT: Evening & late night showers & storms…. becoming breezy. Low: 78
MONDAY: Mostly cloudy & windy periods of showers & t’storms. High: 85
MONDAY NIGHT: On-&-off showers & storms, windy. Low: 77
TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy & breezy with showers & t’storms. High: 85
WEDNESDAY: Partly to mostly cloudy & breezy with scattered showers & storms. High: 86
THURSDAY: Partly sunny with scattered showers & storms. High: 89
FRIDAY: Partly sunny with scattered showers & storms. High: 90
SATURDAY: Partly sunny with scattered showers & t’storms. High: 91
SUNDAY: Partly sunny with scattered showers & storms. High: 91
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
