Jacksonville, Fla. – Boaters along the Georgia-Florida coast are being urged to seek shelter immediately as severe thunderstorms bring a high risk of waterspouts and 34-knot wind gusts through 4:45 p.m. Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, multiple Special Marine Warnings are in effect from Altamaha Sound to St. Augustine, including areas up to 60 nautical miles offshore. Radar tracked strong storms near Amelia City, St. Simons Island, and Mayport, moving at 20 to 30 knots. These cells are capable of producing waterspouts and damaging wind gusts hazardous to small craft.
Key impacted zones include Buoys HLHA, KBY, and DUA, as well as Grays Reef, Guana River State Park, and waters near Savannah. Mariners should expect suddenly higher waves and the potential for locally hazardous seas, particularly near thunderstorms.
The Coast Guard urges all boaters to move to safe harbor, ensure life jackets are worn, and check radio batteries. Deploy jack lines and secure gear if caught offshore.
Warnings remain active this afternoon, and additional alerts may follow as thunderstorms continue tracking northeast along the coast.
