JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Wednesday started with heat advisories for greater Jacksonville and parts of southeast Georgia, and ended with severe thunderstorms in Duval County, Clay, St. Johns and Putnam counties that left a string of damage across northeast Florida.

Heavy rain, hail, gusty winds and frequent lightning moved across the metro area. The severe thunderstorm warnings were allowed to expire in Duval County at 4:45 p.m., and warning in counties south of Jacksonville were under warning through 5:45 p.m.

Police think the weight of heavy rainfall made a panel of a mural on a downtown building fall. The panel struck a parked car on West Adams Street, but no one was hurt. 

High winds blew down signs at Aqua East in Neptune Beach and the McDonald's in Atlantic Beach -- the same fast-food restaurant that was struck by lightning on Tuesday.

At least one house fire was attributed to a lightning strike. Jacksonville Fire-Rescue said the home on FoxHaven Drive, off Hodges Boulevard, was uninhabitable after fire destroyed the attic.

"I didn't know what was happening, so I went to open the garage door ... and there was fire coming from the trap door," the homeowner said. When she picked up the phone to call 911 and it was dead, she grabbed her cellphone and ran out of the house.

A home in Neptune Beach was heavily damaged after a large tree fell on the roof. There were no injuries reported. 

In addition to the storm damage, 7,000 people were without power around 4 p.m. That number eventually dropped to just over 1,000 as the night continued.

Allen Wilkinson was home with his two dogs when he lost power. He said the power stayed out for several hours and said it was the same for his neighbors.

"I heard a big boom and I unplugged my computer and my TVs and all. It sounded like it was close," Wilkinson said.
 

Stormy end to hot, hot day

A heat advisory for Jacksonville and parts of southeast Georgia began at noon due to dangerously hot temperatures and high humidity, according to the National Weather Service.

The heat advisory was in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday in Baker, Bradford, Clay Columbia, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, and Union counties in Florida, and Brantley, Charlton, Clinch, Glynn and Ware counties in Georgia.

While the high temperatures are expected to reach the mid to upper 90s, it felt at least 10 degrees warmer, even in the shade.

"A heat advisory is issued when the combination of hot temperatures and high humidities creates heat indices of 108 to 113 degrees," said News4Jax meteorologist Richard Nunn. "The heat index is a measure of how hot it feels when the effect of humidity combine with the temperature. High heat index values can create dangerously hot conditions where individuals may become critically exhausted if outdoors."

To beat the heat and stay safe under the extreme temperatures, you will want to drink plenty of fluids like water and juice to stay hydrated. Keep an eye on your little ones and never leave children or pets alone in a vehicle. Try to stay indoors, in air conditioning, and avoid being out in the sun. If you work outside, make sure to take plenty of breaks and wear clothing that is loose-fitting and light in color.

"Check on relatives and neighbors who may be sensitive to heat-related illnesses. Heat stroke is an emergency and you should call 911," said Nunn.

The hallmark symptom of heat stroke is a core body temperature above 105 degrees Fahrenheit. But fainting may be the first sign.

Other symptoms may include:

• Throbbing headache
  
• Dizziness and light-headedness
  
• Lack of sweating despite the heat
  
• Red, hot and dry skin
  
• Muscle weakness or cramps
  
• Nausea and vomiting
  
• Rapid heartbeat, which may be either strong or weak
  
• Rapid, shallow breathing
  
• Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
  
• Seizures
  
• Unconsciousness

"When you feel weak and start getting the heat cramps and start feeling nauseated or dizzy or any of those symptoms, you stop yourself, you get out of the heat, go in a cool area and drink the fluids," UF Health Jacksonville emergency room Dr. Steven Godwin said. "You actually should have somebody nearby watching you to make sure you return to normal in a short period of time."

Jacksonville senior citizen centers are open for older people who need to get out of the heat.

"I can't do too much because I have arthritis so bad," said Eliza Cooper, who came to a senior citizen for lunch and stayed for the air conditioning. "I have to be in here where it's cool. I don't want to fall out here."

All city libraries and pools are also open every day for people looking for a place to cool down.

For those who can't get out at all, Meals on Wheels does wellness checks during its deliveries.

"Because most of these individuals do live by themselves and they may have a lot of visitors because of family members may be out of town (or) they may work," said Tourea Robinson of Meals on Wheels. "So not only are we delivering meals, but we're checking in on them."

The JEA said it expected a heavy electric demand Wednesday, with air conditions running at capacity, although they anticipated 265 megawatt of demand, which would not reach a record.