JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Cold downpours and whipping winds battered the First Coast Saturday as a weekend nor’easter delivered a Florida soaking.
Coastal flood warnings, heavy surf, gale, and inland wind warnings were in effect along all of the Florida and Georgia coastal areas, including all inland tidal areas.
Saturday morning, rough surf and dangerous rip currents churned just offshore.
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Few people were seen on the beach but some appeared undeterred. However, lifeguards warned people to stay off the sand and out of the water due to the dangerous conditions.
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Tides will be higher than normal and onshore winds are blowing due to the alignment of the new moon with the moon’s closest approach to Earth. These tides are known as king tides.
Beach erosion and hazardous currents are expected to linger up to several days after the system moves through. An Atlantic Beach swimming group said their daily morning swim would go off as planned too.
No rain is expected Sunday for the Jacksonville Jaguars game against the Buffalo Bills.