Special Marine Warning for Waters Off St. Augustine to Flagler Beach Through 8:00 PM

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Jacksonville has issued a Special Marine Warning for offshore waters. This alert is in response to a severe thunderstorm detected by radar that is capable of producing hazardous marine conditions.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the waters from St. Augustine to Flagler Beach, FL, extending from 20 to 60 nautical miles offshore.

What You Should Do

Boaters in the affected area should seek safe harbor immediately until the storm passes. If your vessel is caught offshore, take the following precautions:

• Immediately secure the vessel for heavy weather.
• Ensure all crew members are wearing USCG approved Type I life jackets.
• Move nonessential crew members below decks.
• Deploy jack lines and harnesses if available.
• Check life-saving equipment and handheld radio batteries for readiness.
• Stay below deck if possible and keep away from ungrounded metal objects to avoid frequent lightning.

Expected Conditions

• Wind: Gusts of 34 knots or greater.
• Hail: Large hail capable of causing structural damage.
• Other Hazards: High waves, dangerous lightning, and heavy rain.
• Current Movement: As of 6:52 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 45 nm northeast of Ormond-By-the-Sea, moving northeast at 25 knots. The storm is expected to remain over mainly open waters.

Timeline

The Special Marine Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to expire at 8:00 PM EDT on March 15.