Flooding and Coastal Flood in Florida, October 1 to 5, 2017

Name: Flooding and Coastal Flood in Florida, October 1 to 5, 2017
Start: 2017-10-01T01:00
End: 2017-10-05T12:55
Location: Florida

October 1 to 5, 2017 · NWS JAX · 19 events in 4 counties and zones

An extended period of breezy onshore flow brought waves of coastal showers onshore which produced locally heavy, flooding rainfall in some areas. The nor'easter was strongest Oct.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 3 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 19

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS JAX wrote it up.

An extended period of breezy onshore flow brought waves of coastal showers onshore which produced locally heavy, flooding rainfall in some areas. The nor'easter was strongest Oct. 1st between a frontal zone just south of the local area and high pressure wedging across GA. The front gradually shifted south of the local forecast area into the 2nd, but onshore flow continued through the 4th as a trough was near the Bahamas and high pressure extended NNW of the region. Strongest winds were observed on the 1st with speeds of 25-35 mph along the coast with gusts of 35-48 mph. By Oct. 3rd and 4th, gusts were down to 40-43 mph along the coast. Two day rainfall totals were excessive in parts of Flagler County with rainfall totals from 9/30 through 10/1 generally 6-13 inches across the county.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Jacksonville, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 30, 7:10 PM EST, 5 hours 50 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 30, 7:10 PM EST, 5 hours 50 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
810 PM EDT Sat Sep 30 2017

.UPDATE...
Sfc low continues to spin near the east central FL coast...just
south-southeast of Flagler Beach this evening...with slow movement
to the south in the past few hours. This trend is noted in recent
HRRR model runs for the overnight period. Heaviest showers and
storms have transitioned a bit offshore in the past few hours but
additional development of convection is over central FL recently.
There is a good possibility some of the heavier showers and
storms may move ashore on Sunday...mainly south of Duval County.
Overall, no significant changes to the POP Forecast at this time.

Reports of sustained winds of 20-25 mph and gusts to 40 mph along
the coast prompted starting the wind advisory earlier. Given the
stronger winds have also began high surf advisory this evening
with St Augustine buoy and Fernandina Beach buoy reporting 7 to 10
foot seas this evening.

&&

.AVIATION...
No significant changes to the TAFS this evening. MVFR to IFR
restrictions in passing waves of showers expected through Sunday
evening with the most persistent restrictions along the coast.
Localized heavy rainfall could lower restrictions briefly to LIFR
which did occur at VQQ earlier today, but overall trend will be
MVFR to IFR overnight tonight. Strong ENE winds will near
sustained 15-20 kts with gusts 25-30 kts at coastal sites tonight,
with much lighter winds inland for GNV.

&&

.MARINE...Have included all coastal waters in a gale warning for
the CWF update...with CMAN SAUF1 reporting sustained winds of
27-30 kt and gust to 36 kt. Gusts near 35-38 kt also reported by
trained spotters on the Flagler county coastline.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AMG  65  75  64  81 /  20  10  10  10
SSI  76  77  73  81 /  40  30  20  30
JAX  74  77  71  81 /  70  70  30  20
SGJ  76  79  73  81 /  90  90  50  20
GNV  73  80  70  82 /  60  70  50  20
OCF  73  83  71  84 /  50  70  30  20

&&

.JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...High Rip Current Risk through Monday evening for Coastal Duval-
     Coastal Nassau-Flagler-St. Johns.

     Wind Advisory until 8 PM EDT Sunday for Coastal Duval-Coastal
     Nassau-Flagler-St. Johns.

     High Surf Advisory until 11 PM EDT Sunday for Coastal Duval-
     Coastal Nassau-Flagler-St. Johns.

     Flood Watch through Sunday evening for Clay-Coastal Duval-
     Flagler-Inland Duval-Putnam-St. Johns.

     Coastal Flood Advisory until 8 PM EDT Monday for Clay-Coastal
     Duval-Flagler-Inland Duval-Putnam-St. Johns.

GA...High Rip Current Risk through Monday evening for Coastal Camden-
     Coastal Glynn.

     Wind Advisory until 8 PM EDT Sunday for Coastal Camden-Coastal
     Glynn.

     High Surf Advisory until 11 PM EDT Sunday for Coastal Camden-
     Coastal Glynn.

AM...Small Craft Advisory from 4 AM Monday to 3 PM EDT Tuesday for
     Coastal waters from St. Augustine to Flagler Beach FL out
     20 NM-Waters from St. Augustine to Flagler Beach FL from 20
     to 60 NM.

     Gale Warning until 4 AM EDT Monday for Coastal waters from
     Altamaha Sound to Fernandina Beach FL out 20 NM-Coastal
     waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine FL out 20 NM-
     Coastal waters from St. Augustine to Flagler Beach FL out
     20 NM-Waters from Altamaha Sound GA to Fernandina Beach FL
     from 20 to 60 NM-Waters from Fernandina Beach to St.
     Augustine FL from 20 to 60 NM-Waters from St. Augustine to
     Flagler Beach FL from 20 to 60 NM.

&&

Shashy/Peterson/Corless

Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 30, 6:38 PM EST, 6 hours 22 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook...Updated
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
738 PM EDT Sat Sep 30 2017

AMZ450-452-454-470-472-474-FLZ020>025-030>033-035>038-040-124-125-
GAZ132>136-149>154-162>166-011900-
Coastal waters from Altamaha Sound to Fernandina Beach FL out
20 NM-
Coastal waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine FL out
20 NM-
Coastal waters from St. Augustine to Flagler Beach FL out 20 NM-
Waters from Altamaha Sound GA to Fernandina Beach FL from 20 to
60 NM-
Waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine FL from 20 to 60 NM-
Waters from St. Augustine to Flagler Beach FL from 20 to 60 NM-
Hamilton-Suwannee-Columbia-Baker-Inland Nassau-Inland Duval-Union-
Bradford-Clay-St. Johns-Gilchrist-Alachua-Putnam-Flagler-Marion-
Coastal Nassau-Coastal Duval-Coffee-Jeff Davis-Bacon-Appling-
Wayne-Atkinson-Ware-Pierce-Brantley-Inland Glynn-Coastal Glynn-
Echols-Clinch-Charlton-Inland Camden-Coastal Camden-
738 PM EDT Sat Sep 30 2017

...High Risk of Rip Currents and High Surf Advisory in effect...

...Flood Watch for portions of Northeast Florida through Sunday
evening...

...Wind Advisory for coastal counties through Sunday evening...

...Coastal Flood Advisory for Minor Flooding St. Johns River
basin...

...Gale Warning in effect for area waters...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Northeast Florida, Southeast
Georgia and the Adjacent Coastal Waters.

.DAY ONE...Tonight...

Strong and persistent onshore flow will bring a high risk of rip
currents and high surf, minor flooding around high tide within the
St. Johns River basin, and waves of potentially flooding rainfall
across portions of northeast Florida where a flood watch is in
effect.

Moderate to strong northeasterly winds will continue with a wind
advisory in effect for coastal counties.

A gale warning is in effect for area coastal waters with sustained
winds 20 to 30 knots with gusts to near 40 knots.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday...

An extended period of strong onshore flow will bring elevated
winds, rough surf, a high risk of rip currents, hazardous marine
conditions and coastal flooding and beach erosion around the times
of high tide through at least Tuesday.

Waves of heavy rainfall will continue across northeast Florida on
Sunday, then drier air will limit rainfall chances by Monday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are requested to relay flooding reports.

For additional information, visit the National Weather Service in
Jacksonville website on the internet at weather.gov/jax.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 30, 10:02 PM EST, 2 hours 58 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
1102 PM EDT SAT SEP 30 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1050 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 N MAYPORT             30.42N 81.41W
09/30/2017  M51 MPH          AMZ452             FL   MESONET

            WIND GUST TO 51 MPH AT HUGUENOT PARK.

&&

PPETERS

Local storm report, Sep 30, 10:06 PM EST, 2 hours 54 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
1106 PM EDT SAT SEP 30 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1049 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 WNW MAYPORT           30.39N 81.42W
09/30/2017  M45 MPH          DUVAL              FL   ASOS

            WIND GUST TO 45 MPH AT THE MAYPORT NAVAL AIR STATION.

&&

PPETERS

Local storm report, Sep 30, 10:32 PM EST, 2 hours 28 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
1132 PM EDT SAT SEP 30 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1123 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 ENE JACKSONVILLE INTE 30.49N 81.69W
09/30/2017  M40 MPH          DUVAL              FL   ASOS

            WIND GUST TO 40 MPH AT THE NWS ASOS.

&&

PPETERS

Local storm report, Sep 30, 11:13 PM EST, 1 hour 47 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
1213 AM EDT SUN OCT 01 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1205 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST JEKYLL ISLAND           31.04N 81.42W
10/01/2017  M41.00 MPH       Glynn              GA   MESONET

            SUSTAINED WIND 34 MPH WITH WIND GUST TO 41 MPH AT JEKYLL
            ISLAND WEATHERFLOW STATION.

&&

AK

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

10 flood, 5 heavy rain, 4 coastal flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Rain, Flagler

When: October 1, 1:00 AM EST to 8:30 AM EST
Where: Flagler County, 1.38 mi N of Indian Trails
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 29.600, -81.250

As of 0930 am, a spotter measured 7.10 inches of rainfall in northern Palm Coast.

Heavy Rain, Putnam

When: October 1, 1:00 AM EST to 8:35 AM EST
Where: Putnam County, 1.83 mi NW of Federal Pt
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 29.750, -81.540

An observer in Federal Point measured a 24-hr rainfall of 7.56 inches.

Heavy Rain, St. Johns

When: October 1, 1:00 AM EST to 2:17 PM EST
Where: St. Johns County, 1.83 mi SW of Moultrie
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 29.800, -81.340

The public estimated a 2 day rainfall total of 9 inches.

Flood, Flagler

When: October 1, 5:21 AM EST
Where: Flagler County, 0.69 mi S of Indian Trails to 0.47 mi S of Indian Trails
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 29.570, -81.250

Barrington Drive was impassable due to flood water covering the road.

Flood, Flagler

When: October 1, 9:35 AM EST
Where: Flagler County, 0.71 mi NNE of Indian Trails to 1.06 mi W of Indian Trails
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 29.589, -81.244

Several roads in Matanzas Woods and Indian Trails were under flood waters and impassable.

Flood, Flagler

When: October 1, 10:15 AM EST
Where: Flagler County, 1.15 mi ESE of Bunnell to 0.77 mi NW of Korona
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 29.462, -81.243

Minor to moderate street flooding in the Quail Hollow section of Palm Coast.

Flood, Flagler

When: October 1, 1:45 PM EST
Where: Flagler County, 0.85 mi NW of Indian Trails to 0.74 mi NNW of Indian Trails
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 29.589, -81.260

Burroughs drive was completely under flood water.

Flood, Flagler

When: October 1, 2:51 PM EST
Where: Flagler County, Seminole Woods to 1.69 mi NNW of Korona
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 29.440, -81.180

Multiple secondary roads were flooded. Several cars were flooded and stalled along the roads.

Flood, St. Johns

When: October 1, 3:08 PM EST
Where: St. Johns County, 0.25 mi WSW of Crescent Beach to 0.2 mi WSW of Crescent Beach
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 29.769, -81.254

One foot of standing water was reported inside a pub in Crescent Beach.

Coastal Flood, St. Johns

When: October 1, 4:14 PM EST
Where: St. Johns forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Tidal overwash was over A1A just north of Marinland. The road was still passable, but debris was washing over the road.

Heavy Rain, Flagler

When: October 1, 4:30 PM EST
Where: Flagler County, Palm Coast
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 29.570, -81.210

A spotter in western Palm Coast measured a 2 day rainfall of 13.12 inches.

Heavy Rain, Flagler

When: October 1, 5:32 PM EST
Where: Flagler County, 0.69 mi S of Flagler Beach
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 29.470, -81.130

A spotter in Flagler Beach measured a 2 day rainfall of 5.82 inches.

Flood, Flagler

When: October 1, 5:33 PM EST
Where: Flagler County, Palm Coast to 1.58 mi SE of Espanola
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 29.570, -81.210

Multiple secondary roads were flooding across the NE section of the county including roads in the Hammocks, Palm Coast and Bunnell. Several cars were submerged in the flood water.

Coastal Flood, Flagler

When: October 1, 5:33 PM EST
Where: Flagler forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 29.471, -81.293 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A dune washout was reported on A1A.

Coastal Flood, Coastal Duval

When: October 1, 6:58 PM EST
Where: Coastal Duval forecast zone
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 30.335, -81.648 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tidal flooding along the St. Johns River was observed over barricades and onto steps at the Jacksonville Landing in downtown.

Flood, Putnam

When: October 1, 8:00 PM EST
Where: Putnam County, 1.54 mi SSW of San Mateo to 2.64 mi WSW of San Mateo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 29.579, -81.589

Significant flooding occurred near Dunns Creek.

Flood, St. Johns

When: October 1, 9:58 PM EST
Where: St. Johns County, 1.66 mi SSE of Tocoi Jct to 1.79 mi SSE of Tocoi Jct
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 29.847, -81.364

County Road 207 near the Kangaroo Express was flooded and under water.

Flood, Putnam

When: October 2, 12:10 AM EST
Where: Putnam County, 0.77 mi NW of Carraway to 0.76 mi WNW of Springside
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 29.709, -81.787

Both directions of State Road 100 were closed between Carraway Church Road and County Road 309C due to flood waters covering the road.

Coastal Flood, Flagler

When: October 5, 12:55 PM EST
Where: Flagler forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 29.471, -81.293 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tidal flooding was reported on South Flagler Avenue between South 23rd Street and South 25th Street. Water was into yards and approaching homes.

What these are

Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
Coastal Flood: Flooding of coastal land by the sea, from storm surge, onshore wind or high tides.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Florida in 2017 Every state in 2017 This day in weather history Warnings in Florida, October 2017

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 721633, 721634, 721635, 721623, 721624, 721625, 721626, 721627, 721628, 721643, 721640, 721641, 721629, 721644, 721645, 721631, 721632, 721646, 721648.