Florida Moderate Special Weather Statement | Effective 08/18/2026 14:25

Headline: 
Special Weather Statement issued August 18 at 5:25PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Event: 
Special Weather Statement
Urgency: 
Expected
Effective: 
August 18, 2026 - 2:25pm
Expires: 
August 18, 2026 - 3:00pm
Description: 
At 525 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong thunderstorms near Winfield, or 7 miles north of Lake City, moving south at 10 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph, penny size hail, excessive cloud-to-ground lightning, and minor flooding due to heavy rainfall. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Minor flooding due to heavy rainfall is possible. Excessive cloud-to-ground lightning is occurring. Locations impacted include... Lake City, Columbia, Palestine Community, Five Points, Watertown, Winfield, Lulu, and Olustee.
Instruction: 
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
Area Description: 
Baker; Union; Northern Columbia; Southeastern Columbia; Southwestern Columbia
Forcast Office: 
NWS Jacksonville FL
Sender: 
w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov