Hurricane Hermine Bears Down On Florida; Volusia County Schools Closed Today

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Volusia County schools were ordered closed today in advance of Hurricane Hermine, which msde landfall in Florida just beforee 2 a.m.

At 2 AM EDT, the eye of Hurricane Hermine was located inland near latitude 30.2 North, longitude 84.0 West. Hermine is moving toward the north-northeast near 14 mph.  A general motion toward the northeast is expected with an increase in forward speed through today.  On the forecast track, the center of Hermine should move farther inland across the eastern Florida Panhandle into southeastern Georgia later today. The center of Hermine should then move near or over eastern South Carolina tonight and near or over eastern North Carolina on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 80 mph (130 km/h) with higher gusts.  Weakening should begin while Hermine moves farther inland.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles.

The latest minimum central pressure reported by an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft just before landfall was 29 inches.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

WIND:  Hurricane conditions should continue to spread along the coast in the hurricane warning area at this time.  Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin within the warning area along the Atlantic coast later today, and spread northward through the weekend.  Wind in the tropical storm warning area along the Gulf coast of Florida should gradually diminish today.

STORM SURGE:  The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will continue to cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.  There is a danger of life-threatening inundation within the next 12 to 24 hours along the Gulf coast of Florida from Indian Pass to Longboat Key.  For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the Prototype National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic.  Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water.  Promptly follow any instructions, including evacuation orders, from local officials.

The water could reach the following heights above ground if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...

Destin to Indian Pass...1 to 3 feet
Indian Pass to Ochlockonee River...4 to 7 feet
Ochlockonee River to Yankeetown...6 to 9 feet
Yankeetown to Aripeka...4 to 7 feet
Aripeka to Longboat Key...including Tampa Bay...2 to 4 feet
Longboat Key to Bonita Beach...1 to 3 feet
Florida-Georgia line to Tidewater of Virginia...1 to 3 feet

RAINFALL: 

Hermine is expected to produce storm total rainfall accumulations of 5 to 10 inches over the southeastern United States from northwest Florida through southern and eastern Georgia into South Carolina and eastern North Carolina, with possible isolatedmaximum amounts of 15 inches. These rains may cause life-threatening floods and flash floods. Heavy rain could reach the coastalMid-Atlantic states from Virginia to New Jersey beginning early Saturday.

 

TORNADOES: 

​A few tornadoes are possible through early today across northern Florida and southern Georgia.  The tornado risk will spreadacross the eastern Carolinas today.