Josephine Pummels Florida Coast With High Winds, Rain, Tornadoes Tropical Storm With High Surf Forces Hundreds To Evacuate

Tropical storm Josephine began lashing Florida’s Gulf Coast on Monday night with 70 mph winds and high surf, spawning tornadoes and dumping up to 5 inches of rain across the state.

Pushing a storm surge of 6 to 9 feet at the peak of high tide over swampy, low-lying areas, the storm’s center was expected to strike land at midnight near this remote fishing village about 30 miles south of Tallahassee.

Josephine failed to reach hurricane strength but was packing considerable moisture.

Forecasters said it would dump rain on southeastern Georgia and the Carolinas, then stay inland, bringing rain up the Atlantic Coast.

“The winds will go down very, very fast once it hits land,” said Max Mayfield, a hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center. “The core already is weakening.”

Still, residents scrambled to secure their homes and boats on Monday.

Hundreds of people already had taken cover in local shelters. Evacuations were ordered for the beaches and barrier islands of nine coastal counties.

“I will probably stay as long as I can. If things get too rough, I’ll be the first one out the door,” said Rich Gray, maintenance chief at Shell Point Resort near St. Marks.

At the Shell Point Marina, boaters struggled in gusts and driving rain to double up their mooring lines.

“This could be serious if the wind pushes the water in here,” said Frank Hanna, who had secured his 36-foot sloop.

“We might lose the floating docks and all the boats tied to it.”

Bob Tweedie, 67, said he thought his 31-foot sailboat would be safe “unless the surge goes over 10 feet. Then we’re all in trouble.”

Although Josephine strengthened quickly after forming Sunday night, forecasters said they doubt the storm will build to hurricane-force winds of at least 74 mph.