Hurricane Maria will stay more than 500 miles away from Florida, but effects will be felt along all Atlantic beaches this weekend. Rough surf, high seas, and a high risk of rip currents will make it dangerous for inexperienced mariners and swimmers to enter the water.
Ocean swells generated by Maria’s large wind field will begin reaching Florida Saturday, and they may continue through Monday. This will likely lead to minor flooding near low-lying coastal and intercoastal shorelines, especially at high tide. Moderate flooding will also continue along the middle St. Johns River basin from Lake George to Geneva. Life-threatening surf and rip currents are expected through early next week from Miami Beach to Jacksonville Beach.
Hurricane Maria will cause hazardous beach/boating conditions this weekend. The risk of rip currents will be high & surf will be very rough! pic.twitter.com/5wBOZ9i5wY
— NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) September 23, 2017
A Small Craft Advisory is in effect along coastal waters of northeast and east-central Florida through Monday. East-northeast winds up to 20 mph and wave heights 6 to 10 feet will make navigating difficult for small vessels and inexperienced mariners. A High Surf Advisory has also been issued Saturday and Sunday for the beaches of east-central and northeast Florida for nearshore seas of 6 to 8 feet. Forecasters have advised that the risk for rip currents will be high at all area beaches from Palm Beach County to the Georgia-Florida border. The large waves and elevated water levels will also likely produce minor to moderate beach erosion up and down Florida’s Atlantic Coast.