Flood Warning Issued For NE; Wildfires, Drought Warning In Central FL

FLORIDA ? While parts of west and central Florida battle wildfires caused by drought, the National Weather Service in Jacksonville has issued a coastal flood warning through Tuesday night and a gale warning through Tuesday afternoon for the coastlines of Volusia and Flagler counties.

Strong northeast onshore winds, downpours and an above-normal high tide will combine to create flooding in low-lying areas along the shores of northeastern Florida as well as the St. Johns River with minor to moderate flooding along the Altamaha River.

The NWS said water levels are expected to rise 2 to 3 feet above normal high tide through late Tuesday night with high surfs of 10 to 13 feet, causing moderate coastal flooding and threatening flood-prone buildings and roads.

Already suffering from the impacts of hurricanes Ian and Nicole last fall, northeast beaches could experience further beach erosion as well, said the NWS.

The flooding will be exacerbated by heavy downpours and isolated thunderstorms through sunset and wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph along the Atlantic Coast.

Since January, more than 1,000 wildfires have burned more than 35,000 acres in Florida, including a massive wildfire that burned more than 1,000 acres at the River Ranch Hunting Club in Lake Wales March 28 and 29.

Last year, a total of 2,500 wildfires burned more than 141,000 acres across the state.

A number of south and central Florida counties have now issued burn bans due to the likelihood of igniting a wildfire, including Polk, Pasco, Hendry, Collier, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Orange, St. Lucie, Indian River, Brevard, Lee and Highlands counties. Watch for updates on the Florida Forest Service's ban burn dashboard.

In contrast, AccuWeather meteorologists are closely monitoring the Gulf of Mexico this week for the potential of heavy rain along the Gulf Coast, although the meteorologists say the potential of a tropical depression this early in the year is unlikely.

The hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Although there have been tropical depressions as early as April, AccuWeather said they are rare. The last one to form in April was Tropical Storm Arlene in 2017.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson said the possibility of downpours would be a welcome respite after this spring's drought.

During a news conference Thursday, Simpson announced that the National Interagency Fire Center has predicted an above-normal wildfire potential for this year's wildfire season in Florida, which peaks in April, May and June.

Related: Massive Polk County Brush Wildfire Now Contained, Says Forest Service

?With above-normal wildfire potential this wildfire season, it?s more important than ever for Floridians to be aware of and prepared for the devastating effects of wildfire,? said Simpson. ?I?m urging all Floridians to be wildfire ready and to use extra caution, because we all want to keep our firefighters and communities safe this wildfire season.?

?We are now entering the peak of wildfire season, which means Floridians should take extra precaution during these drier months to protect people and property,? said Rick Dolan, director of the Florida Forest Service. ?The Florida Forest Service encourages Floridians to be wildfire ready by preparing your yard, home and emergency kit, and knowing Florida?s outdoor burning laws.?

According to the Florida Forest Services active response map, there are six active wildfires in the state as of Tuesday.