Clay County Division of Emergency Management is continuing to monitor what potential impacts this may bring us through the weekend. This will mainly be a St Johns riverine event for us, from Williams Park south to the county line. Many of our Fire/ Rescue and Law enforcement partners may need to monitor their respective response areas from Williams Park Rd, Miranda Ln south to the county line for areas that generally become isolated with these stronger northeaster events. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns about this event through the weekend.

JW

COASTAL FLOOD WATCH remains in effect from Friday through the weekend
GALE WATCH posted for all of our local waters from Friday night through Saturday night

What & When
Low pressure will develop over the southeast Gulf of Mexico tonight and will strengthen as it crosses the FL peninsula on Friday night, emerging over the Atlantic waters near Cape Canaveral early on Saturday. This storm system will result in strong north and northeasterly winds on Friday night and Saturday, which will combine with our highest astronomical tides of the year to produce significant coastal impacts for our area.

Minor tidal flooding is expected during this morning’s high tide along the northeast FL and southeast GA Atlantic coast, with Moderate tidal flooding on Friday & possibly major flooding Saturday. Tidal flooding will not just impact the coast, but also inland estuaries including the St. Johns River, St. Mary’s River, and lower portions of the Satilla Rivers, especially from Friday through the weekend. Peak water levels of the event will be on Saturday along the Atlantic coast, and peak water levels may persist into Sunday within the St. Johns, St. Marys, and lower Satilla Rivers, as elevated water levels from downtown JAX southward to southern Putnam county become trapped due to strong northerly winds.

Impacts
• Significant tidal flooding, beach erosion with dangerous, rough surf – peaking Friday night into Saturday
o Minor Tidal Flooding: Typically means flooding of low-lying areas, parks and campgrounds and normally flood-prone roadways.
o Moderate Tidal Flooding: Some flooding of structures and roads.
o Major Tidal Flooding: Extensive inundation of structures and roads in the area.
• Small Craft Advisory conditions through Friday with Gale conditions likely from Friday night through Saturday night
• Heavy rainfall potential along portions of the northeast Florida coast Friday into Saturday
• High rip current risk through the weekend
• Beachfront & Riverfront interests should secure property prone to coastal flooding, wind, and wave action