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Subscribe to RSSWinds notched up to 65 miles per hour in Florida, where more than 100 people were pulled from ocean waters because of riptides. The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore reports.
Updated at 12:34 a.m. ET: -- Tropical Storm Beryl began to make landfall early Monday, bringing heavy rain and high winds to northeast Florida, Weather Channel meteorologist Mike Seidel said.
The center of the second named storm of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season moved ashore near Jacksonville Beach at around 12:10 a.m. EDT, the National Hurricane Center said.
The estimated intensity of Beryl at landfall was 70 mph.
Prior to landfall, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration station in Mayport, Fla. reported sustained winds of 44 mph and a wind gust of 59 mph.
Earlier Sunday, Gov. Rick Scott urged Florida residents in the affected areas to "stay alert and aware."
The powerful pack of thunderstorms prompted tropical storm warnings along the coast in northern Florida, Georgia and parts of South Carolina, disrupting Memorial Day weekend plans for some beachgoers and travelers.
Beryl was expected to bring 4 to 8 inches of rain to parts, with some areas getting as much as 12 inches. Forecasters predict the storm surge and tide will cause some coastal flooding in northeastern Florida, Georgia and southern South Carolina.
Campers at Cumberland Island, Fla., which is reachable only by boat, were told to leave by Sunday afternoon. The island has a number of undeveloped beaches and forests popular with campers.
Tropical Storm Beryl has residents in Georgia and Florida bracing for drenching rains and driving winds. The Weather Channel Mike Seidel reports.
However, many people seemed determined to make the best of the soggy forecast.
At Greyfield Inn, a 19th-century mansion and the only private inn on Cumberland Island, the rooms were nearly full Sunday; all guests were planning to stay put through the wet weather, said Dawn Drake, who answered the phone at the inn's office on the Florida coast.
In Jacksonville, Fla., Mayor Alvin Brown ordered a state of emergency, ending the Jazz Festival early and urging people to stay out of the water and off the streets, News4JAX.com reported. Workers are also out clearing tree limbs and debris that could be tossed about by the storm's winds.
"We are encouraging all residents to stay indoors," Brown said at a Sunday morning news conference at the Emergency Operations Center.
Richard Ellis / Getty Images Contributor
Strong waves batter Folly Beach Pier as Tropical Storm Beryl brushes past the South Carolina coast on Sunday.
But business was booming at the Red Dog Surf Shop in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., where customers flocked to buy boards and wax in anticipation of the storm's high waves. Officials all along the coast warned of rip currents, waves and high tides — all of which can be dangerous but also tend to attract adventurous surfers. The waters had already become dangerous in South Carolina, where rescuers were searching for a missing swimmer.
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In Jacksonville Beach, Fernando Sola said business was booming at his Happy Faces Ice Cream truck. A bus- full of tourists from South Carolina had stopped to buy some ice cream and watch the storm waters churn.
"There are actually more people than on a normal day. It's working out great," said Sola, taking a few moments away from scooping ice cream to people lined up in front of his truck.
Steady, heavy winds kicked up sand across the area, forcing onlookers to shield themselves with towels.
Jessica Smith and Chester Jaheeb decided to brave the waters despite many warnings for people to stay out. Jaheeb, who was born in India but lives in Jacksonville, said he had never experienced a tropical storm before.
"We were at a certain part that started pulling us out, like the rip current, so we decided to come to shore," said Smith, 17.
Taylor Anderson, captain of Jacksonville Beach's American Red Cross Volunteer Lifesaving Corps., said his lifeguards went body-surfing early Sunday to get acclimated with the surf conditions for what looked to be a long day. They also reviewed methods to determine where there might be riptides.
"They look for discoloration, the water moving paradoxically back to sea, and our lifeguards are trained to spot that, to keep people away from that, especially when the surf is this high. It makes those run-outs very dangerous. People can get sucked into those very fast, especially with the high surf and the high wind," he said.
Though the weather was calm earlier Sunday, Anderson's lifeguards began preparing other equipment in the morning. They packed sandbags in front of the entrances to the oceanfront Red Cross lifeguard station and pulled lifeguard stands off the beach.
As the winds picked up, officials hung two red flags, one warning of dangerous ocean conditions and the other notifying beachgoers that swimming was prohibited. But a lot of people ignored the warnings. By 3:30 p.m., Anderson said, lifeguards had made 150 "preventions," meaning lifeguards ordered 150 people out of the water, though no rescues were necessary.
One of the people ordered out the water was Christian Siciliano, 14, of Jacksonville Beach. The surfer said the waves were too rough for surfing so he, his brother and a friend decided to go boogey-boarding.
"We just went out to, like, mess around," Christian said. "It was really rough. I didn't make it out too far, about 10 feet."
He said the waves were so powerful it was difficult to paddle against them. Then lifeguards raced to the area and ordered him and the two other youths from the water.
Joe Murphy, a spokesman for the Ritz Carlton in Amelia Island, Fla., said he was not seeing a flood of checkouts or people trying to get off the island. Outdoor dining had been moved inside and the hotel set up movies and family game activities, but the hotel had no plans to board up or move patio furniture inside.
Tropical storm warnings were in effect for the entire Georgia coastline, as well as parts of Florida and South Carolina. Once Beryl comes ashore, it was expected to continue dumping rain over parts of Florida and Georgia on Monday before heading north and then out to sea. It was expected to weaken to a tropical depression by Monday night.
On Tybee Island, a barrier island not far from Savannah, water off the beaches was closed for swimming Sunday. Tybee Island fire Chief C.L. Sasser said winds of up to 42 mph were creating "horrendous water currents." Only people with flotation devices strapped or tethered to their bodies were being allowed into the water, and they were being cautioned not to venture in farther than knee deep.
"Even if you're standing in waist-deep water, the current can sweep you out quickly," he said.
His ocean rescue team pulled a total of 48 people from the water on Saturday, he said, including about 27 that were considered to be in life-threatening conditions. One man who was sucked under the water was rescued by friends and onlookers and was taken to the hospital in serious condition.
A band of showers soaked the beaches late Sunday morning, causing crowds to thin, Sasser said. With alternating rainy and sunny weather forecast throughout the day, he said he expected the crowds on the sands to ebb and flow.
In South Carolina, Janice Keith with the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau said Sunday that the office hadn't fielded any calls from concerned tourists.
In Beaufort County, emergency management deputy director David Zeoli said officials were continuing to monitor the storm and encourage people to have a plan in case conditions get worse.
Zeoli said winds had kicked up in the area that includes Hilton Head Island, a popular golf and beach destination. "It's just a wet day here," he said.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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Oh it's Climate Change... Liberals are so predictable...
Not much info on having suck a mild Winter and Spring... Seasons change Liberals get over it
I have to agree ... but still refuse to buy the conservative line that this storm is gods anger at letting gay people live.
As far as climate change and science goes, don't worry about it ... there is no way that corporate America will ever let something as stupid as science get in the way of profits.
That's a pathetic response. If you get to paint the entire conservative movement with the most radial 1% we get to paint you with Bill Ayers, Rev Wright, and Van Jones, right?
Most scientists are conservative because they deal in facts not outrage and emotion, IPCC being the exception. Corporate America DEPENDS on science to obtain profits, Intel, Microsoft, Apple, Samsung, Ford, etc.
Go peddle your propaganda somewhere else, your lies don't fly here.
Most scientist are conservative? Really? State your sources please ... other than that great scientist Rush Limbaugh.
As far as painting the entire conservative movement ... I don't have to. They paint themselves quite well and their favorite colors are green and white.
His sources?,, his a$$,,pulls all his so called facts straight out of the dumper.
Pathetic response? Try pathetic comment. WTF prompted that tirade anyways? Its a frickin tropical Storm. Not much to sneeze at at that. happens all the time around here. I didnt read anyone blaming it on climate change, and he was the first post.
WTF is the matter with people? My first guess would be....a lot. :/
Yours is the first post. Or are you seeing posts of delusion to base your silly rant on?
hey! um, i know its off topic but... since when did weather ever start political debates? sure, its kinda early for a tropical storm, but you dont have to make it all personal and start a debate over whether or not top scientists are/were conservatives or not.
Oh, nice topic! I'm not single, not looking for a rich guy/gal, not too old, but way past young...DO NOT click on my link.
Did somebody's knee jerk?
Make sure you come in out of the rain Southeast!
Oh you stupid Liberals. It's just a little bit of weather and has nothing to do with climate change or any such crap you invented.
A whee bit wet and windy, that's all.
Yea then when everything is normal and the weather is average and they still bring up bs.
You science deniers should apologize to Mr. Gore for mocking him and not listening.
Rip currents are not to be dallied with. Take heed and stay out of the water until the threat dies down.
I was caught in one a long time ago swimming at the beach, it was a terrifying experience and one I still have a problem with whenever I feel the pull of the ocean. People need to be safe, if there is a warning it is a very real danger and there for their safety and not just because they 'felt' like giving a warning.
Even when people are warned galore..some idiots still go into the waters.
And sometimes others have to risk their lives to save those idiots!
There will always be adrenaline junkies who push the limits. This may not be a hurricane, but between the winds, tides, rip-currents and falling trees/branches ... I would stay inside.
Sounds like a TV day to me.
BTDT ! It was part of the job . Still ya always wonder . What were they thinking?
Mike: I quite agree. What say we have a beer together? Or if that's not your thing, some other cooll beverage from iced tea (is that politically OK?) up, through colas and on beyond. Just stay off the beach; if you get caught in a rip current, I can't swim all that strongly.
They dont HAVE to jump in and save lives. Some of these "officials" need to just make a blanket statement that says we are telling you conditions are not safe. If you go in, its your ass. What happened to the phrase "Enter At Your OWN Risk"? It needs to make a comeback.
Sadly the phrase "Enter At Your Own Risk" went away once people stopped taking personal responsibility for their own foolish actions.
how far out are rip tides? like dont you swim diagonally if you get caught in one?
Rips can go pretty far. And swimming diagonally is the accepted practice. However, if it's a strong rip, your ass is grass. You end up as shark bait.
I was at the pier in the picture and watched a guy die today. I had my kids playing in the sand, they were not allowed in the water and all afternoon the lifeguards were telling this guy to stop swimming where he was and he wouldn't listen. He got caught in a rip current and was drug out and after 1.5 hours of searching they said they found his body. Stupidity will get you killed.
We here in Gainesville are just hoping that Beryl dumps a lot of water on us! The lakes are either way down or completely dried up; the rivers are the same, and the Springs. We need this rain!
But it is par for the course. In 77 I was a volunteer fireman on South Padre Island Tx we were evacuating the island and the idiot surfers were coming on the island to surf the ship channel.
Why the out of towners always want to tempt fate is amazing to me. Most of the locals I know love to take pictures of this kind of surf - and stay the heck out of the ocean - we learn to respect her early in life. Not always the case, I know, an idiot is born every minute. But so far, here on Anastasia Island ( St. Augustine Beach) things have been a bit quieter this time around and I am appreciating the fact. Also, we badly needed the rain, so nothing wrong with looking for a silver lining. True?
Oh, it's NOT climate change...Conservatives are so predictable...
Pollution causes climate change conservatives...Get over it
Pollution causes climate change? So do volcanos and meteorites.
Agreed ... but just because climate change can be a natural cause, doesn't invalidate human causes. Its not one or the other ... its about accelerating what nature is already doing.
Of course, Rush Limbaugh ... the greatest scientist of our time ... doesn't see it that way.
Sheep.
burning conservatives causes pollution...
burn Rush Limbaugh and you'll get an Oxy buzz.....
I am proud to call myself a conservative. I can also see the facts that there are human elements to the cause of climate change. What's your point?
Actually Mother Nature just laughs when we make seasons for her. Tropical storms build when the water is warm enough. The schedule just is the usual time when the water is warm enough.
Liberals and Conservatives are BOTH SO PREDICTABLE!
There's a storm coming and all they can do is argue over "climate change"!
Both groups need to get over it!
A storm is a storm! It brings dangerous conditions! Flooding, rip currents, winds, etc.
Get over yourselves and quit bringing your stupid political arguments into every single discussion....IDIOTS!!!!!
Thank you, Al. I, for one, get SO tired of the staunch polarizers stating their positions as though they are the only ones that have any truth to them. The truth lies somewhere between the oft stated extremes. Just where? I don't know. But probably closer to the middle than to either extreme.
Yamen Bro. Democratic Bro Yoik and Republican Bro Oik dunno how to pound sand down a gopher hole and have been proving it for the last several administrations. The rest of us have real life to deal with, not the "mine's bigger than yours" arguments of the silver spooners.
I would post a sign on the beaches. If you are dumb enough to swim or surf in the rip tides, don't expect us to rescue you.
I'd do the same for people who want to ride out storms. If you refuse to evacuate, and then get scared or in trouble, don't call 911...we won't come for you.
If in Florida, better post it in Spanish, too.
Bobby Andrews que pendejo..
Actually during the storm they won't come rescue you until they deem it to be safe...don't need to post that one...it is just know if you live in one of those areas.
Al we did. They sent us with the ambulance to use the speaker to broadcast the volunteer fire department is leaving the island trucks and all. If you get into trouble go to the Coast Guard station or the Bahia Grande they won't come out. And then we left with the city records in the back of the ambulance to San Benito inland.
But will anyone read the sign? I agree 100% with the idea, though.
If nubile women with big ones get caught in the surf, I'll rescue them because I'm such a good person.
where is the beach packed up that nobody can walk pleaseee there is nobody there
far out man! Surf's up!
Rode out two hurricanes on Siesta Key in early-mid 70s. Awesome waves dude...cowabunga. This is a zephyr compared to a hurricane.
Oh noes! It is global cooling, global warming and rapid climate change rearing its ugly head!
Run for your lives while you still can!
The EPA just came out with some rules pertaining to the amount of air we can inhale. You now have to get a permit to play sports or any kind of physical fittness activity. If you dont comply with these rules, you could be jailed or sent to an air rehabilitation center.
The 1/10 th of the 1% do not care if global warming is real or not, all you have to do is follow the money and you will see the too big to fail banks and some multi national corporations fund both sides of the argument, Fox News knows this but they convince their conservative viewers that it is the liberals that are driving this, its called divide and conquer and we the people are falling for it.
And this concerns the storm how?
Mother Nature laughs at anybody who makes rules for her.
You people are completely pathetic. Very first comment deals with political slander. Can't you people ever just comment on the facts of the story? Beam me up Scotty, there is NO intelligent life down here. Make ready with the photon torpedoes, this civilization must be destroyed.
i like cheese?
So long and thanks for all the Phish?
never fry bacon neked?
Just say LLAMA... you can't help but smile.. Never mind the troglodytes.. LLAMA... LLAMA... LLAMA...
Did you just call me a d**khead, Dave? At least I've got the nads to use my real name and picture!
Pathetic is the word! What conservative line thinks this storm is god made at gays for living? How do you people even think up this stupidity? Your twisted little pathetic minds must just whirl with sh$$ all the time. Do you not have any common sense thoughts in there at all?
If I were captain I would use quantum torpedoes on all liberals and take charge of the world using the Defiant. I created that ship for the purpose of driving libtards away. It has pulse canons to.
A conservative that likes Star Trek? Aren't the trek crews on all the shows a little too socialist/liberal?
Scotty is floating in space now he can't help you. Rtypo if you can remember the original Star Trek you are probably collecting SS.
Nah, Im genX. I have quite a few years to go, but I have watched re-runs.
don't any of you get the real picture? it has nothing to do with global warming/cooling.This country is going to pieces and God is trying to get our attention that it is time we turn ourselves and America back to Him, like our forefathers set the foundation of this country on.
Read the Constitution, the whole thing, and somewhere in there, like in the first sentence, it says 'to form a more perfect union'. That's not to mention the fact there's a way to ammend the thing, including the first ten, the Bill of Rights.
I'd just settle for the first ten the way they were written.
An issue everyone can agree on, Global Darkness, for some reason it happens every night.
On a more pertinent note, is this the drought breaker Georgia has been looking for for the past six years? Lets hope its path carries moisture where it's most needed and be done with it.
Sombody better build an Ark... and quick!
Near as I can tell is this must be George Bush's Fault. I know that President Obama will back me up on this
While I can't stand how the conservatives have corrupted the republican arty ... I will agree with you. Its election season and either candidate will spin (lie out their butts) about anything that may give them the edge.
Climate change or not? Dunno here if that the cause, but it does look like it might be an interesting hurricane season. Two storms already and June 1st still a few days away. Jim Cantore is gonna get a lot of frequent flyer miles this year.
Yeah but the only thing that counts is how strong and where they hit.This is just the warm up. I'll really start worrying when the Cape Verdes start.
I live just north of Jax ... and it will be an interesting night.
Having said that, this storm bothers me more than a hurricane. Not because its more powerful ... which it isn't ... but because it won't be taken seriously and may cause problems that wouldn't normally exist.
Minnesota just got pizzed on by almost a foot of rain in some places in the last 4 days. That storm you have down there isnt anything.
We need some rain here in the sinkhole state.
Ok local update at 6;45P.M., I live in Melrose Fl., about 40 miles S.W. of Jax, Fl. We have had a nice day, few showers that got the party out of the pool; for a few minutes a couple of times. No big deal. Grill has been fired and cooking since 4P.M. and right now no rain, a bunch of people suffering from too much fun, too much food, and maybe a couple too much beer, LOL.
Right now everyone is settled either in our gameroom, or the family room watching the nascar race and no rain or wind. Our forcast shows that the highest winds we can expect is 31mph, so what the TV is telling you and what the national weather service is broadcasting appears to be two different things.
The only thing bad is that the TV appears once again over hyping something again to the point that when something serious does happen, nobody will pay attention.
I did normal precaution, checked the generator ( working fine ), we secured the loose items from the ongoing party, and made sure all cars were in the clear of trees ( I have a bunch on my five acres). Party should go to midnight as usual and if it changes I'll log back in and tell you.
Happy Memorial Day
U.S.M.C. '66-'70
Hey climate change groupies. A couple of early storms isn't a sign the world is coming to an end. The rest of the storm season could be mild. There a whole lot of other issues to worry about. The earth has and will continue to go trough various cycles of climate. Humans have made very little impact on climate, so get over yourselves.
Well I think it is time for the libtarded left to commit suicide and make more room for society and animals.
Update, Melrose Fl. ( 40 miles S.W. of Jax. Fl. ) Sun is out and no wind or rain.
I hate to burst the msnbc staff and news services investigative bubble, but Cumberland Island belongs to the great state of Georgia and it is located just above the Florida stateline.
Dpn't confuse them they think Arkansas and Kentucky are in the Appalachians.
hi lonereb.
errr...actually, you're 50% correct.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachia
WOW....hurricane season is starting early this year.
I hate to burst the investigative bubble for the story but Cumberland Island is a barrier island off the coast of Georgia. It is part of Camden County, Georgia and most certainly does't belong to the state of Forida.
NOAA complains about running out of names for their hurricanes. Either they have no imagination or they're not the sharpest knives in the drawer. Tropical storm Beryl? Who is named Beryl? I mean, c'mon.
My neighbor? Among many others.
Cumberland Island is off the coast of Georgia, not Florida.
We have this kid from Missouri City Texas they need to hire. So he can tell them that Cumberland Island is in Goergia and Arkansas and Kentucky are not in the Appalachians. They hired all the kids left behind.