Tag Archives: storm surge

Are the rivers rising? 2024-10-01

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Somebody asked: has the Suwannee River crested after Hurricane Helene? Yes, upstream from the Alapaha River (Nobles Ferry Gauge) and downstream from the Santa Fe River (Rock Bluff Gauge). In between (Nobles Ferry to Branford Gauge) it’s still rising, although nowhere near Action Stage.

[Flooding: Little, Withlacoochee, Alapaha Rivers 2024-10-01 Not flooding: Suwannee, Ichetucknee, New, Santa Fe Rivers]
Flooding: Little, Withlacoochee, Alapaha Rivers 2024-10-01 Not flooding: Suwannee, Ichetucknee, New, Santa Fe Rivers

The Santa Fe and New Rivers were mostly unaffected by the storm.

The Little, Withlacoochee, and Alapaha Rivers are or were all in flood upstream, rapidly heading downstream.

So if you must go boating, the Santa Fe River or the Middle Suwannee River are your best bets. But if you can, stay off the roads and let emergency vehicles, road crews, and utilities work.

Details below, taken from the NOAA National Water Prediction Service. NOAA is the first option in River water levels in the Suwannee River Basin 2024-08-07. Continue reading →

Hurricane Helene headed up the Suwannee River Basin 2024-09-26

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Hurricane Helene has shifted its likely course to the east, so most of the Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia is in its path.

Since most of us seem to be in the hurricane of the month club, you probably all already know what to do. But a reminder might not hurt.

[Hurricane Helene heading to Suwannee River Basin 2024-09-26. Be prepared. Evacuate if near water.]
Hurricane Helene heading to Suwannee River Basin 2024-09-26. Be prepared. Evacuate if near water.
Map by National Hurricane Center.

According to NBC News, Helene is a Category 4 hurricane now, which means maximum sustained wind speeds of 130 miles per hour or more. Landfall is expected in a few hours, maybe as a Cat 3 (111-129 mph).

It may even be a Cat 2 (96-110 mph) well into Georgia. Even a Cat 1 (74-95 mph) is no joke, and for much of Helene’s inland path would be unprecedented.

If your county or city has an evacuation order, please pay attention. There was already flooding yesterday in Ben Hill County, Georgia, which is well more than 100 miles from the Gulf.

Even if it doesn’t, if you live near a river or a coast, heading uphill would be prudent. Continue reading →