Update: Tropical Storm Fay Hangs on to Status, Stays in Florida

Tropical Storm Fay continues slowly westward across the northern Florida peninsula while tropical storm warnings remain in effect throughout the region, into the panhandle and north through Georgia to the South Carolina border.

At 8 a.m. EDT, Fay’s center was located just west of Gainesville and 50 miles northeast of Cedar Key.

Fay is moving toward the west near 6 mph and this general motion is expected to continue for the next day or two, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Fay’s center is expected to continue crossing the northern Florida peninsula today (Aug. 22) and then move near or over the coast of the Florida panhandle tonight and Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 45 mph with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is forecast during the next 24 hours…but Fay is expected to remain a tropical storm into Saturday.

Several NHC stations in the Jacksonville area reported wind gusts of 45 mph to 55 mph during the few hours preceding the 8 a.m. report.

Storm surge flooding of 2 feet to 4 feet above normal tides is possible
along Florida’s east coast and Georgia to the north of the storm’s center.

Over the next 36 hours Fay is expected to produce rainfall
accumulations of 4 inches to 8 inches across the northern Florida
peninsula, the Florida panhandle, southern Georgia and
southeastern Alabama, with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches
possible.

Isolated tornadoes are possible today (Aug. 22) over portions of northeastern Florida…southeastern Georgia…and southern South Carolina.

Source: National Hurricane Center