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

Headline: 
Special Weather Statement issued August 18 at 5:14PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Event: 
Special Weather Statement
Urgency: 
Expected
Effective: 
August 18, 2026 - 2:14pm
Expires: 
August 18, 2026 - 3:00pm
Description: 
At 514 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Bell to near High Springs. Movement was southeast at 15 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph, nickel 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... Trenton, Bell, Worthington Spring, Ichetucknee Spring, Alachua, High Springs, Archer, Fort White, Worthington Springs, and Providence.
Instruction: 
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
Area Description: 
Suwannee; Union; Gilchrist; Eastern Alachua; Western Alachua; Southeastern Columbia; Southwestern Columbia
Forcast Office: 
NWS Jacksonville FL
Sender: 
w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov