Florence: Final Flash Update

St Johns County Emergency Management spokesperson Kelly Wilson issued Historic City News the final Flash Announcement on Hurricane Florence as of 2:00 p.m. today.  The Emergency Operations Center is currently in Level 3 “monitoring” status.

Current Situation:

Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.  Florence is moving toward the west at 6 mph with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph.  This general motion, accompanied by a further decrease in forward speed, is expected to continue through today. A slow westward to west-southwestward motion is expected today through Saturday. On the forecast track, the center of Florence will move further inland across extreme southeastern North Carolina and extreme eastern South Carolina today and Saturday.

Life-threatening storm surge and hurricane force winds continue. Catastrophic freshwater flooding expected over portions of North and South Carolina. 

Potential Local Impacts:

• Westerly flow around system yielding hot and humid conditions through the weekend. Temperatures in the 90s and heat index values above 100. Rain chances diminished for the next few days.
• Life threatening rip currents along the Atlantic coast continuing into the weekend.
• Expected surf of 5-8 feet continuing into the weekend.
• Potential for beach erosion.
• Coastal Flood Advisory in effect. Minor tidal flooding near high tide along the coast & inland estuaries

Local Actions/Activities:

Vehicular access has been restored in some areas

In addition, two-wheel drive access is available from the Ocean Trace ramp to the Crescent Beach ramp.

Porpoise Point, Vilano Beach, and Fort Matanzas remain closed to vehicles at this time.

St. Johns County Emergency Management is closely monitoring Hurricane Florence and is participating in conference calls with the Florida Division of Emergency Management and National Weather Service Jacksonville for the most up-to-date information.