Nor’easter could dump rain in Jacksonville area before Hurricane Milton arrives Wednesday

Hurricane Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday, and the National Hurricane Center expects the storm to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane before hitting the hurricane-weary West Coast of Florida on Wednesday.

“I have the State Emergency Response Team preparing for the largest evacuation that we have seen most likely since 2017 Hurricane Irma,” said Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie on Sunday at the state Emergency Operations Center.

What does Milton mean for the Jax area? We could start to feel its effects as soon as Tuesday night, with the heaviest rain expected through Wednesday night. There’s also a chance of tornadoes on Wednesday and a 20% to 40% chance of tropical storm-force winds, meaning at least 39 mph, the National Hurricane Center says.

And, even before Milton arrives, the National Weather Service expects a local nor’easter to dump heavy rain in our area, according to a Clay County emergency management spokesperson. All told, we could be looking at six or seven days of continued rainfall, which has local emergency managers on watch for flooding around creeks and rivers.

Four to 6 inches inches of rain are expected in the Jacksonville area, with higher amounts along the coast. Heavy rainfall will pose a mounting threat for flash flooding this week.

Deteriorating coastal and marine conditions, including a high risk of rip currents along the Atlantic Coast, and tidal flooding are also expected, especially within the St. Johns River basin.

Already weakened trees and limbs from Helene could lead to additional tree damage, the forecast says.

See the latest forecast here.

Jacksonville

As of Sunday, no closures or evacuations had been announced for Duval County, but school closures are possible, to be determined by Duval Schools.

Keep an eye on jaxready.com for updates from Duval County emergency managers.

JEA announced Sunday it is continuing its suspension of disconnections for non-payment, begun after Hurricane Helene less than two weeks ago, in light of the new storm.

To report power outages during Milton:

1. Visit jea.com/outage to view JEA’s Electric Outage Map and report an electric or water outage
2. Call (904) 665-6000 to use the automated system
3. Text OUT to 69532 (MyJEA)

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is urging the community to give blood now to help prepare, as blood collections will be affected during and after the storm. Donating ensures blood will be available to help patients suffering from traumas, cancers and chronic illnesses. All blood types are needed, especially type O donors and platelet donors.

Clay County

Clay County will offer sandbags on Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sandbags are limited to 10 per person and are first come, first served and DIY. Shovels are not provided.

The county will continue to offer bags until they are gone or if it becomes unsafe for employees to be outside. The county will refill the sites as needed.

Sandbag locations:

Eagle Harbor Sports Complex
4387 Lakeshore Drive, Fleming Island

25 Roderigo Ave., Green Cove Springs

Orange Park Sports and Recreational Park
1086 Fromhart St., Orange Park

Middleburg-Clay Hill Omega Park
4317 County Road 218, Middleburg

Keystone Heights, across from City Hall, 555 S. Lawrence Blvd., Keystone Heights

News Service of Florida reporter Jim Turner contributed to this story.

The post Nor’easter could dump rain in Jacksonville area before Hurricane Milton arrives Wednesday appeared first on Jacksonville Today .