JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tropical Storm Colin's designation changed Tuesday morning to a post-tropical cyclone as it moved off the Southeast coast into the Atlantic Ocean.
All tropical storm warnings were discontinued by 2 p.m.
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By 5 p.m. Tuesday, the storm had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and was moving northeast at 40 mph. The system was 205 miles east-northeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and was no longer affecting land.
Some slight strengthening is possible Tuesday, but gradual weakening is expected to begin on Wednesday, the NHC said in its final advisory on Colin.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency Monday as the storm churned its way across the state into southeast Georgia, and the National Hurricane Center said Colin marked the earliest that a third named storm has ever formed in the Atlantic basin.
Scott said in an interview that there were no reports of major damage, but the state will be tracking flooding from the sudden deluge of rain, much of which fell during high tides Monday. He said Florida has seen severe flooding in unlikely places after previous storms.
"We'll just see how well it runs off," Scott said.
The last round of heavy rains passed through Clay, St. Johns, Putnam and Flagler counties about midnight. Overnight, isolated areas picked up another 2 inches.
Colin's maximum sustained winds Tuesday morning were near 50 mph with some strengthening forecast after the storm moved into the Atlantic. But National Hurricane Center said Colin was expected to lose its tropical cyclone status by Tuesday night.
A former tropical cyclone describes a cyclone that no longer possesses sufficient tropical characteristics to be considered a tropical cyclone. Post-tropical cyclones can continue carrying heavy rains and high winds. The two classes of post-tropical cyclones are: Extratropical cyclone, which is frontal, sometimes still retains winds of hurricane or tropical storm force or remnant low, which is non-frontal, has maximum sustained winds of less than 34 knots.
The storm caused some summer programs, businesses and the city of Jacksonville to close early Monday. High school graduations in Duval County went on as scheduled. The high winds and rain also knocked out power to about 10,000 Floridians heading into Monday evening from the Tampa Bay area to Jacksonville.
There were numerous tornado warnings, funnel clouds and water spouts in the area Monday afternoon and some trees and large branches were down, causing minor damage.
Hundreds of miles of Florida's western and Panhandle coast were placed under a tropical storm warning Sunday. Warnings along East Coast counties, including Flagler, St. Johns, Duval, Nassau, Camden and Glynn counties were added Sunday night.
After a rough day with bands of tropical rain moving through, the worst of the storms swept offshore by 7 p.m. Monday, giving northeastern Florida and southeastern Georgia a break in the storms and heavy rain, with only on and off light rain for a few hours.
Jacksonville Airport Authority officials said operations were normal at JAX. There was a lightning warning, and travelers were urged to check ahead with their airline and to expect delays. As the thunderstorm moved through the area Monday afternoon, passengers were moved away from windows but were allowed to return to their gates just after 4 p.m.
With Colin passed early Tuesday morning, there is potential for sustained winds out of the south and southwest between 25 and 40 mph with high gusts in squalls. By Tuesday afternoon weather will be beautiful, but brisk winds will continue.
INTERACTIVE: Track the storm |
What you need to know: DUVAL COUNTY |
ST. JOHNS COUNTY | CLAY COUNTY | FLAGLER COUNTY |
NASSAU COUNTY | COLUMBIA COUNTY | GLYNN COUNTY
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