Florence: Flash 2

St Johns County Emergency Management spokesperson Kelly Wilson issued Historic City News the second Flash Announcement on Hurricane Florence as of 9:30 a.m. today.  The Emergency Operations Center is currently in Level 3 “monitoring” status.

Hurricane Florence is moving toward the northwest at 12 mph with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph.  This general motion, accompanied by a further decrease in forward speed, is expected to continue through today.  A turn to the west-northwest and west at an even slower forward speed is expected tonight and Friday, and a slow west-southwestward motion is forecast Friday night and Saturday.

On the forecast track, the center of Florence will approach the coasts of North and South Carolina later today, then move near or over the coast of southern North Carolina and eastern South Carolina in the hurricane warning area tonight and Friday.

Florence is expected to bring life threatening storm surge and rainfall across portions of the Carolinas. 

Potential Local Impacts:

• Expecting life threatening rip currents along the Atlantic coast continuing into the weekend.
• High Surf Advisory in effect.  Expected surf of 6-8 feet continuing into the weekend.
• Potential for significant beach erosion.
• Coastal Flood Advisory in effect through Friday. 
• Shallow tidal flooding possible around high tide along the coast.
• Significant rainfall is not expected.
• Small Craft Advisory in effect for coastal waters.

Local Actions/Activities:

• 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.
• St. Johns County Emergency Management is asking all staff with Emergency Operations Center related responsibilities to closely monitor the progress of this tropical system.
• Vehicular access is restricted on all St. Johns County beaches due to high surf.