Tropical Storm — Putnam, Florida

2016-10-06 to 2016-10-08 · Putnam, Florida

Event narrative

Water accumulated under strong onshore flow for a couple of days within the river basin ahead of Hurricane Matthew, and when the storm surge combined with high tide and strong northerly flow coincided over the St. Johns Friday, river flooding was extensive.

Peak wind gusts included 48 mph on 10/7 at 3:05 pm 3 miles SE of Welaka and 44 mph on 10/7 at 11:29 am 4 miles NW of Interlachen.

Storm total 48 hour rainfall amounts included: 7.22 inches 3 miles WNW of Orange Mills; 6.60 inches 3 miles NW of Florahome; 6.01 inches 3 miles WNW of Hastings; 4.72 inches 2 miles SW of San Mateo; 3.89 inches 3 miles SE of Welaka; 3.85 inches 2 mile N of Crescent City; 3.60 inches 1 mile SW of Interlachen; 2.58 inches 4 miles NNE of Florahome; and 2.04 inches 4 miles NW of Interlachen.

Maximum storm surge and storm tide included in Palatka along the St. Johns river 3.23 ft of surge (tide 3.80 ft) on 10/7 at 11 pm. Dunns Creek measured 3.85 ft of surge (4.33 ft storm tide) on 10/8 at 9:30 pm. Deep Creek near Federal Point reported a surge of 0 ft agl and storm tide of 3.50 ft. Federal Pt West reported 0.0 of surge and 3.5 ft of storm tide. Rivershore Drive reported 0 ft of surge and 2.50 ft of storm tide. Sportsman Harbor measured 0 ft of storm surge and 2.50 ft of storm tide. Storm tide datum is MHHW and storm surge is approximate feet above ground level (agl) along the immediate shoreline.

Tropical storm conditions started causing tree damage in Palatka around 0713 EDT on 10/7 when a tree fell on a home. At 1500 EDT, a 55 year old female was killed due to hurricane force wind gusts blowing down a tree onto the trailer in which she sought storm shelter in a camper at a campground near Crescent City. At 2041 EDT, flooding was reported on Tarpon Blvd in Bostwick. Canals about a quarter mile away from the St. Johns River experienced flooding on both sides of the roadway. Photos from Putnam County Emergency Management indicated extensive flooding and widespread tree damage in East Palatka and Bostwick after 1500 EDT, including the far end of East River Road. The Bostwick area had up to 3 feet of river flooding in many locations near the river, including in structures and homes. Cedar Creek and Palmetto Bluff in Bostwick had widespread Flooding over roads and within yards, with tree damage. The boat ramp at Eglin Grove in East Palatka was over-washed by at least 3 to

4 feet of water with flood debris across the area. Wind damage occurred to structures, including at Crill Drive and State Road 19 in Palatka where metal roofing was rolled and damaged.

Wider weather episode

Category 3 Hurricane Matthew track northward along the Florida Atlantic Coast Thursday October 7th, and then NNE remaining about 50 east of Mayport at the closest approach Friday morning October 8th. Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia only experienced tropical storm conditions with sustained speeds generally 35-55 mph with higher gusts up to 80 mph along coastal areas and the St. Johns River basin, with much weaker winds inland. Strong winds and flooding rainfall, as well as a 4-7 ft storm surge impacted much of coastal NE Florida and portions of SE Georgia. Storm total rainfall amounts ranged from up to near 10 inches in some coastal and St. Johns River basin counties...down to only 2-4 inches farther inland toward the I-75 corridor.

Water levels were already elevated along the St. Johns River for several days ahead of Matthew due to a local nor'easter. Water levels were very slow to drain out of the St. Johns River basin with major to moderate flooding ongoing for about 5-6 days in portions of Putnam and St. Johns counties due to the seiche affect and water being trapped in the estuary under persistent onshore flow after Matthew.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 659397. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.