Dense Fog — Putnam, Florida

2003-11-12 · Putnam, Florida

Event narrative

Chain-reaction wreck on U.S. highway 17 near Bostwick in Putnam County, Florida. Visibilities between one sixteenth and one quarter of a mile reported by Naval Air Station Jacksonville 20 miles north of wreck site and Pinecastle Bombing Range (KNAE) 20 miles south of the wreck site (two closest representative observations without marine influence). A truck crossed U.S. 17, near the Seminole Electric Plant and into the path of several vehicles. Over the next several minutes several vehicles impacted the original wreck with two fatalities occurring early in the event. Seven injured, with four critical, dense fog prevented aerial transport of critically injured by "Lifeflight" helicopter with two injured transported via ground to Shands Hospital Trama unit in Jacksonville, Florida. U.S. 17 was shut down until 11:00 EST for clearance and investigation of the wreck. NWS Jacksonville Florida zone forecast had indicated dense fog with visibilities below 1/4 of a mile for over 24 hours prior to the incident. A "Dense Fog Advisory" was issued by NWS Jacksonville at 04:02 EST, valid through 09:00 EST. An update to the "Dense Fog Advisory" was issued at 05:20 EST to expand the coverage of the product to include St. Johns County, otherwise it remained unchanged. Observations indicate the Fog burned off between 09:00 and 10:00 EST. Sources of Information, Putnam County Sheriffs Office, Florida Times Union, WJXT TV 4 Jacksonville, WTLV TV 12 Jacksonville.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5337923. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.