Residents in Northeast Florida are facing a dual threat from mother nature today, as a Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect and a High Rip Current Risk warning has been issued for the region's beaches.
The National Weather Service in Jacksonville updated its alerts early this morning to inform the public of the ongoing risks. According to the advisory, minor coastal flooding is expected, as well as dangerous rip currents along the beaches of Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, and Flagler counties. The Coastal Flood Advisory will stand until 1 PM EST this afternoon, while the high risk of rip currents is anticipated to last from 7 AM EST through the same afternoon, the NWS reports.
Specifics released by the NWS detail that the impacts could include the flooding of lots, parks, and roads with only isolated road closures expected. The rip currents are powerful enough, the report cautions, to "sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water."
Local authorities are urging residents and visitors to exercise caution. If travel is necessary, people should expect delays and avoid driving through water of unknown depth or around barricades. The advisories on NWS encourage those at the beach to swim near lifeguards and provide guidance on escaping rip currents: "If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don`t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help."
While the near-term forecasts hint at a brief respite with sunny skies and a high near 75 today, the approach of night brings the potential for patchy fog and temperatures lowering to around 55. The clear skies are expected to persist into early tomorrow, leading into a partly sunny Tuesday which may culminate in showers and a 60% chance of precipitation by night.
