5-Day Weather Outlook 01.08.21

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

5-Day Weather Outlook 01.08.21 Friday, January 8, 2021 5-Day Statewide Weather Outlook No Threat Low Threat Moderate Threat High Threat Damaging Day Lightning Tornado Flooding Freeze Wildfire Fog Rip Currents Wind Northwest FL Fri Statewide Rest of North FL North Florida & West Coast Sat Nature Coast Elsewhere Central Florida Inland North East Coast Sun Florida Elsewhere Panhandle & SE FL Mon NE & E Central FL West Coast Panhandle Tue Southeast FL Northwest FL Peninsula Forecast Fronts & Weather for Friday (left), Saturday (middle), and Sunday (right) Forecast Rain Chances Monday Forecast Rainfall Totals Through Tuesday Night FDEM Statewide 5-Day Weather Outlook 01.08.21 …Dry and Cool Weekend Statewide…Next System Brings Showers to the State Starting Sunday Night into Early Next Week…Red Tide Bloom Continues Along Coastal Southwest Florida…Dangerous Rip Currents Saturday and Again Early Week… Friday Night - Sunday: A quiet weekend weather-wise is expected across the state. Clouds are hanging tough today for most, but they should clear out through tonight. Lows will be in the 30s across North Florida, 40s in Central Florida, and 50s in South Florida tonight. A light freeze is expected in the far western Panhandle. Light winds around 5 mph will likely prevent a widespread frost tonight in North Florida. Low Sunshine is expected for Saturday and Temperatures most of Sunday, though clouds begin to build Saturday Night back in Sunday afternoon in the Panhandle. (Blue = Freezing) But no rain is expected through Sunday afternoon. Highs both days will be in the 50s in North Florida with 60s in the Peninsula. Lows Saturday night will be near or below freezing in North Florida (upper 20s to lower 30s), mid- 30s to the lower 40s in Central Florida, and mid-40s to mid-50s in South Florida. Sunday Night - Tuesday: An area of low pressure will move over the northern Gulf of Mexico through Monday and across the Big Bend and southern Georgia Monday night and Tuesday. A cold front will move through the state on the southern side of the area of low pressure. Late Sunday night into early Monday morning, scattered rain showers will begin across the western Panhandle. Temperatures at this time will likely be in the upper 30s to lower 40s, so it will be a very cold rain. The atmospheric conditions do not support wintry precipitation at this time as the air aloft will also be above freezing. With temperatures above freezing, no road impacts from black ice are expected. Elsewhere Sunday night, dry conditions are expected with lows in the mid-30s to lower 40s in North Florida, upper 30s to upper 40s in Central Florida, and lower 50s to lower 60s in South Florida. Monday will continue to feature cold rain showers across the Panhandle and Big Bend. It will feel quite raw as winds will also be Forecast Rain breezy at times. Isolated showers will also be Chances on possible in the Keys on Monday. As the area Tuesday of low pressure moves into the Big Bend, FDEM Statewide 5-Day Weather Outlook 01.08.21 isolated showers will be possible across a majority of the state. No severe weather, flooding, or wintry precipitation is expected. By Tuesday, scattered showers will remain across South Florida with isolated showers farther north in Northeast and Central Florida. A couple isolated thunderstorms will be possible in Southeast Florida, but no significant weather is expected. Highs both Monday and Tuesday will reach the middle to upper 50s in the Panhandle and Big Bend, middle 60s to near 70 in Northeast and Central Florida, and lower to middle 70s in South Florida. Lows will be in the 40s in North Florida, 50s in Central Florida, and 60s in South Florida. Some mid to upper 30s are possible in Northwest Florida Tuesday night. Drought & Fire Weather: Florida remains drought free, and soils are generally wet across the state. However, some abnormally dry conditions continue across lower portions Northeast and North Central Florida. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) average for the state is 181 (on Keetch-Byram a scale from 0-very wet to 800-very dry). Drought Index Humidity is expected to remain above (KBDI) as of critical levels through the next 5 days, though January 4, 2021 breezy winds are expected at times ahead of and behind the next system early next week. There are currently 7 active wildfires across the state burning a total of 333 acres. Flooding & Hydrology: WET DRY A River Flood Warning remains in effect for the Ochlockonee River near Concord and near Havana. Minor flooding is ongoing along the river, but the river at both Concord and Havana will fall below flood stage this weekend. Several other North Florida rivers remain in action stage but are falling. Any additional rainfall over the next 5 days will not result in additional river flooding. For more information on specific rivers, please visit the Southeast River Forecast Center here. Lake Okeechobee’s average elevation is 15.73 feet, which is around one foot above normal for this time of year, but still in the target range for the start of the dry season. Water levels continue to slowly fall. High water levels across South Florida have made it difficult to discharge large amounts of water from Lake Okeechobee, and only small decreases in the Lake level are expected into next week. Rip Currents & Marine Hazards: Breezy west to northwest winds today will subside into tomorrow. There will be a high rip current risk remaining along West Coast beaches where a High Surf Advisory is in effect (waves up to 6’). All other beaches will have a moderate risk on Saturday. By Sunday, winds will become northerly and lessen, leaving only a moderate rip current risk for Atlantic beaches and a low risk elsewhere. However, an area of low pressure will bring strong east to southeast winds across the state Monday, increasing the rip current risk yet again for Panhandle and FDEM Statewide 5-Day Weather Outlook 01.08.21 Southeast Florida beaches to high with a moderate risk elsewhere along the East Coast. The moderate to high rip current risk continues at all beaches on Tuesday as the system departs. A bloom of Red Tide continues in Red Tide Southwest Florida. Medium to high Concentrations concentrations have been observed along from FWC – the coasts of Lee and Collier Counties. This is Past 8 Days resulting in some respiratory irritation at local beaches along with fish kills. Beach Hazards Statements are now in effect for Collier and Lee Counties. Some very low concentrations have been observed along Charlotte County. Little change in Red Tide concentrations are expected through the weekend. For the latest Red Tide concentration reports, please view the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission map. NWS Mobile Daily Hazards NWS Tallahassee Daily Graphical Hazards NWS Jacksonville Daily Hazards NWS Melbourne Daily Graphical Hazards NWS Tampa Daily Graphical Hazards NWS Miami Daily Graphical Hazards NWS Key West Daily Hazards For the official National Weather Service forecast, please click on the following cities: Pensacola Panama City Tallahassee Gainesville Jacksonville Daytona Beach Orlando Tampa Fort Myers West Palm Beach Miami Key West Click here for the latest watches, warnings, and advisories from The National Weather Service For coastal and offshore forecasts throughout Florida and Georgia, please click here. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Have a great weekend! Cameron Young, Assistant State Meteorologist Florida Division of Emergency Management www.FloridaDisaster.org FDEM Statewide 5-Day Weather Outlook 01.08.21 .
Recommended publications
  • State of Florida REMP
    Supplemental Information Withhold under 10 CFR 2.390 as “Sensitive-Federal, State, Foreign Government and International Agency Controlled.” State of Florida Radiological Emergency Management Plan Annex A, Appendix VI, Levy Nuclear Plant Site Plan FINAL DRAFT APPENDIX VI Levy Nuclear Plant Site Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE General ..................................................................................................................... VI-1 Organization and Responsibilities .......................................................................... VI-1 Levy County Organization and Responsibilities .................................................. VI-1 Citrus County Organization and Responsibilities ................................................ VI-6 Marion County Organization and Responsibilities ............................................... VI-11 Alachua County Organization and Responsibilities ............................................. VI-16 Dixie County Organization and Responsibilities .................................................. VI-17 Hernando County Organization and Responsibilities .......................................... VI-17 Gilchrist County Organization and Responsibilities ............................................. VI-18 Lake County Organization and Responsibilities .................................................. VI-18 Pasco County Organization and Responsibilities ................................................ VI-18 Sumter County Organization and Responsibilities .............................................
    [Show full text]
  • Why Popcorn Does That Space Is Cool Snakes with Legs Consumer Alert
    6P | Sunday, February 15, 2015 | Tampa Bay Times Perspective > tampabay.com/opinion Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition | ’Glades to Gulf, Week 5 Photograph by Carlton Ward Jr., carltonward.com The Aucilla flo ws along the east side of the Red Hills region between Thomasville and Tallahassee. Closer to the Gulf of Mexico, in Aucilla Wildlife Management Area, limestone bedrock rises close to the forest floor, providing substrate for these rapids. Sinkholes and caverns eroded by the tannic water envelop the river underground; it disappears and reappears several times flowing to the coast. A river goes underground Editor’s note: The three members of the second Florida river swirls like a giant ditioner Mallory Lykes Dimmitt said we Wildlife Corridor Expedition are filing weekly dispatches bathtub drain and disap- had reached the end of the Earth. of their 1,000-mile, 10-week journey to highlight the value of pears underground. This Finish Tallahassee Jacksonville Four more days in the refuge, the keeping an open pathway through the state for wildlife. Here section of the Florida Pensacola trail entered the 632,000-acre Apala- is the story of the fifth week. National Scenic Trail is Daytona chicola National Forest, which com- 2015route Aucilla Beach named the Aucilla Sinks 2012route River bined with adjacent conservation lands, BY CARLTON WARD JR. Trail for the series of cir- Orlando anchors nearly a million protected acres. he ribbon of damp earth is punctuated by lime- cular sinkholes that pro- lf of M On scale, it’s the Everglades of North Flor- Gu ex ic Start stone ledges, their bronze patinas textured by vide portals to the river o ida.
    [Show full text]
  • Nature Coast State Trail Management Plan
    APPENDIX B State Designation National Recreation Trail (NRT) Designation THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Appendix B-1 Appendix B-2 Appendix B-3 Appendix B-4 .Appendix A Designated State Parks Long Key 05 Monroe 763.24 147.95 Lease--- Trustees 09121/61 Pari< Open-Fee Required / /' State Pari< - Lower Wekiva River 03 Lake 17,137.55 588.02 Lease Trustees 08119176 Preserve Open-No Fee Required Preserve Stale Park Seminole' Madlra Bickel Mound 04" Manatee ., 5.68 4.32 Lease Trustees 04116148 Special Feature Site (A) Open-No Fee Required State Archaeological Site' Mike Roess Gold Head 02 Clay 2,059.67 115.47 lease Trustees 02115136 Park Open-Fee Required Branch State Pari< '''' ~ . '.' .''' . Mound Key ': • ,." . 04 lee 168.86 Lease Trustees 11/02161 Special Feature Site (A) Open-No Fee Required An:haeologicat State Pari< L',_ .... , Nature Coast Trail 02 Dixie 469.71 Lease: Trustees 12118196 Trail Open-No Fee Required State Park Gilchrist levy " '" .. ' North,Peninsula State Park 03 Volusla 519.90 "- 2.36 Lease Trustees 05116184 Recreation Area Open-No Fee Requ1ied alene 02 . A1achua .. ·__ . 1,714. 17 26.99 Lease Trustees 06129/36 ·.,Park Open-Fee Required State Park Columbia Ochlockonee River · .. 01 Wakulla. .'-370.33 15.13 Lease Trustees 05114170, Pari< Open-Fee Required State Park OletaRiver ._.,05 ..... Dade ... 1,012.64. 20.20 Lease Trustees 06109160 Recreation Ar.ea Open-Fee Required State Park Orman House ..... - ~ .. --,- 01 .. Franklin.' _'. " 1.SO Lease Trustees 02/02/01 Undetennined Open-Fee Requir~ Oscar Scherer 04 , 'Sarasota 1,376.96 4.66 Lease Trustees 09/12/56 Park Open-Fee Required State Park - .: ~ ;" Paynes Creek 04 Hardee 396.20 Lease Trustees 09/19n4 Special Feature Site (H) Open-Fee Required H"lStoric State Park ."."'(" .-.,--.
    [Show full text]
  • 2018 Annual Report
    Florida Native Plant Society 2018 Annual Report Renewal! The mission of the Florida Native Plant Society is to promote the preservation, conservation and restoration of the native plants and native plant communities of Florida. A Message from Executive Director Juliet Rynear Contents A Message from Executive Director Juliet Rynear 2 Our Vision 2 relevance would extend beyond the conference to our organization as a whole. This has definitely been a year of renewal as we worked 2018 Accomplishments 4 to make our Society stronger and rebuild the infrastructure needed to 2018 Research Grants 5 support this growing nonprofit. We hired two full-time staff members, brought our accounting system in-house, and began new 2018 Conservation Grant 5 conservation projects to conserve Peer-Reviewed Articles Resulting from rarest species. FNPS Research Grants in 2018 5 Land Management 6 Our friends and family in the Panhandle suffered through the th devastation of Hurricane Michael that leveled entire forests. This 38 7 catastrophic event makes the future of Torreya taxifolia, the rarest Chapter Highlights 8 conifer in north America, uncertain and we are committed to doing Our Business Members 9 everything we can to help conserve this iconic tree. Our Conservation Partners (A-Ri) 10 Our committee chairs and members worked tirelessly to fulfill our Conservation Partners (Ro-W) 11 mission. The Policy and Legislation Committee worked with state Palmetto Awards 11 and local legislators to increase awareness of the need to continue to acquire, protect and manage natural lands in our rapidly developing Landscape Awards 12 state. Our Conservation Committee began new projects to conserve and monitor our rare plant species.
    [Show full text]
  • Local Florida Home Builders Associations
    LOCAL FLORIDA HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATIONS EXECUTIVE PHONE LOCAL HBA EMAIL ADDRESS OFFICER NUMBER Bay Building Industries Association Gloria Feeney [email protected] 850.784.0232 2428 Lisenby Avenue | Panama City, FL 32405 Home Builders & Contractors Association of Josh Clark [email protected] 321.254.3700 1500 W Eau Gallie Blvd, #A2 | Melbourne, FL 32935 Brevard Charlotte-DeSoto Building Industry Association Donna Barrett [email protected] 941.625.0804 17984 Toledo Blade Boulevard | Port Charlotte, FL 33948 Collier County Building Industry Association Kathleen Curatolo [email protected] 239.436.6100 3200 Bailey Lane, #110 | Naples, FL 34105 Columbia County Builders Association Lynda Yeany [email protected] 386.867.1998 824 NW Emerald Lakes Drive | Lake City, FL 32055 Flagler Home Builders Association Annamaria Abad [email protected] 386.226.1414 4863 Palm Coast Parkway NW, #1 | Palm Coast, FL 32137 Gold Coast Builders Association K.T. Catlin [email protected] 561.228.6137 2101 Vista Parkway, #114 | West Palm Beach, FL 33411 Nature Coast Builders Association Nita Beckwith-Melaugh [email protected] 352.596.1114 7391 Sunshine Grove Road | Brooksville, FL 34613 Home Builders Association of Lake-Sumter Lisa Templin-Rayborn [email protected] 352.343.7101 1100 N Joanna Avenue | Tavares, FL 32778 Lee Building Industry Association Phillip Ford [email protected] 239.936.5525 6835 International Center Blvd., #4 | Fort Myers, FL 33912 Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association Jon Mast [email protected] 941.907.4133 6983 Professional
    [Show full text]
  • Exhilarating! Or the Local Lakes and Ponds Attractions, Events Or Activities
    www.vnnf.org • 877.955.2199 • 352.955.2199 • 877.955.2199 • www.vnnf.org Park, Lafayette Blue Springs State Park and Fanning Springs Springs Fanning and Park State Springs Blue Lafayette Park, Heritage Paddling Trail System. Apalachee Bay is one one is Bay Apalachee System. Trail Paddling Heritage coast for shipment to textile mills in England as well as New New as well as England in mills textile to shipment for coast Beautiful cabins at Stephen Foster, Suwannee River State State River Suwannee Foster, Stephen at cabins Beautiful ecological diversity on the Apalachee Bay Maritime Maritime Bay Apalachee the on diversity ecological and attractions you’ll love to explore. to love you’ll attractions and authentic Cracker farm at the Forest Capital Museum in Perry Perry in Museum Capital Forest the at farm Cracker authentic was used to carry cotton from the plantation belt to the the to belt plantation the from cotton carry to used was and cabins alternate every ten river miles down the trail. trail. the down miles river ten every alternate cabins and Be transported back in time, discovering history and and history discovering time, in back transported Be • Florida Heritage Highway (U.S. Highway 441). Highway (U.S. Highway Heritage Florida Museums and Towns — For a sense of life gone by, visit the the visit by, gone life of sense a For — Towns and Museums • Marks. From the early 1900s, this historic railroad corridor corridor railroad historic this 1900s, early the From Marks. map of the region and a listing of springs, state parks, events events parks, state springs, of listing a and region the of map Places to Stay — River camps with sleeping platforms platforms sleeping with camps River — Stay to Places • (U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Par-3, 173-Yard 17Th Hole St. James Bay Club Photo by Daniel Zelazek
    Par-3, 173-yard 17th Hole St. James Bay Club Photo by Daniel Zelazek 14 THE FLORIDA GREEN In a part of Florida where time moves just a little slower and development even slower, St. James Bay has preserved small pieces of man’s history on the land. St. James Bay Golf Club Discovering the Forgotten Coast By Joel Jackson Dade-Broward area. Swinging up the western side ing area as, “the Forgotten Coast from Apalachicola of the state there’s the, Platinum Coast, Suncoast, to Tallahassee” and realized I had discovered yet I’m a native Floridian and thought I had Nature Coast and Emerald Coast in the Destin- another unique coastal area of Florida. After return- heard all the names for the various sections of the Pensacola area. Did I miss anyone? Evidently I did. ing home I found out more about the histor y of this state’s lengthy coastline. From Jacksonville down the It wasn’t until this trip to St. James Bay area on the Internet at www.forgotten-florida.com. It eastern seaboard there’s the First Coast, Space at Carrabelle in the eastern panhandle that I heard is a story of forestry, fisheries and Camp Gordon Coast, Treasure Coast and the Gold Coast in the Coast Radio 100.5 FM proclaim the station’s listen- Johnson, a World War II training camp for amphibi- WINTER 2005 15 COVER STORY Course Facts tained by Biological Research Associates. They also prune and trim back wetland vegetation twice per year. Irrigation: Source: surface water, but will take some effluent from city of Carrabelle in the near future after they upgrade their treatment plant.
    [Show full text]
  • Wakulla Caves Forest, Florida, USFS Forest
    Project information last updated: 1/28/2020 10:09 AM Report prepared: 4/20/2021 8:15 AM Forest Legacy Project Wakulla Caves Forest Wakulla County, Florida FUNDING HISTORY FY 2021 Forest Legacy Program Funding $2,600,000 FY 2021 Non-Federal Cost Share $900,000 FY 2021 Project Costs $3,500,000 FY 2021 Project Acres 779 Forest Legacy Funding To Date $5,140,000 Total Project Costs $7,700,000 Total Project Acres 1,496 Tract Name Size (ac) Tract Cost FLP Funding Non-Fed Cost Share Status Caves Tract 717 $4,200,000 $2,540,000 $1,660,000 Completed 2020 Legacy Tract 779 $3,500,000 $2,600,000 $900,000 Funded 2021 GENERAL DESCRIPTION With the successful FEE acquisition of the Forest Legacy Caves Tract in 2019 and protection of its many well-known karst sinks, other heirs of John Stallon Ferrell have come together to present their 779 acres (Legacy Tract) for FEE acquisition to realize the habitat and aquifer protection goals of the 1,496-acre Wakulla Caves Forest (WCF) project. The WCF is part of the lands assembled by Mr. Ferrell, a Civil War veteran and state legislator, in the 1870s. The Legacy Tract is an opportunity to protect more known karst features like those associated with the Wakulla-Leon Sinks Cave System (WLSCS), a globally-significant cave system. Legacy Tract will also contribute to linking the 632,890-acre Apalachicola National Forest to the 6,000-acre Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park and protecting the aquifer for Wakulla Large unnamed karst sink ready for exploration by WLSCS diver Springs, a National Natural Landmark.
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 Edition TABLE of CONTENTS PARTICIPATINGVISIT NATURAL COUNTIES NORTH FLORIDA
    BikingGUIDE POWERED BY 2016 Edition TABLE OF CONTENTS PARTICIPATINGVISIT NATURAL COUNTIES NORTH FLORIDA 1 Table of Contents 3 Introduction 5 Bell Loop 6 Bowlegs Mainline Loop 7 Cedar Key 8 Cross City Mainline Loop 9 Florida's Big Bend Coastal Tour 11 Florida's Ichetucknee-O'leno State Trail 12 Florida's Nature Coast State Trail 13 Florida's Ochlockonee Bay Bike Trail 14 Four Freedoms Trail 15 Four Springs Loop 16 Gainesville to Lake Butler 17 Grand North Florida Tour 19 Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail 20 Jasper to White Springs 21 Lake City - Lakes Loop 22 Madison County 100-Mile Loop 23 Mayo Loop 24 Mayo to R.O. Ranch 25 Monticello Century Loop 26 Moticello 60-Mile Loop SPONSORS OF VNNF 27 Palatka - Lake Butler State Trail 28 Perry to Econfina State Park 29 Santa Fe Lake Loop 30 Starke - Lake Butler Loop 31 Steinhatchee to Perry 32 Tallahassee - St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail 33 Trenton Loop 34 Woodpecker Loop Funding provided by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. 1 2 FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT VNNF.ORG/BIKE-GUIDE FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT VNNF.ORG/BIKE-GUIDE 23 The two multi-day routes are not segmented by day. Rather, given significant differences in the INTRODUCTION abilities of riders, it is left up to them to determine how many miles can be ridden in a day and to plan overnight stays accordingly. The routes are available through the Visit Natural North Florida website. Please visit us at www.vnnf.org/bikeguide. The website provides maps, elevations, cue sheets and descriptions.
    [Show full text]
  • Ambrose 0Front I-Xviii.Pmd
    Contents Foreword xvii 1. Florida as an Ecotourism Destination 1 Part 1. Northwestern Florida 2. The Panhandle’s Pitcher Plant Prairies 11 Blackwater River State Park, Blackwater River State Forest Sidetrips: Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park, Garcon Point, Clear Creek Nature Trail, Eglin Air Force Base, Blackwater Heritage Trail State Park 3. Emerald Coast 20 Gulf Islands National Seashore, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Grayton Beach State Park, St. Andrews State Park Sidetrips: Perdido Key State Park, Big Lagoon State Park, Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, Point Washington State Forest, Pine Log State Forest, Deer Lake State Park 4. Forgotten Coast 34 T. H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park, St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge Sidetrips: Dead Lakes Recreation Area, St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve 5. Apalachicola National Forest 44 Sidetrips: Tate’s Hell State Forest, Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area 6. Apalachicola River Lands 52 Three Rivers State Park, Torreya State Park, Florida Caverns State Park Sidetrips: Falling Waters State Park, Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve 7. Big Bend Territory 60 St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, Big Bend Wildlife Management Area Sidetrips: Econfina River State Park, Ochlockonee River State Park, Bald Point State Park, Aucilla Wildlife Management Area Part 2. Northern Florida 8. Upper Suwannee River 71 Suwannee River State Park, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, Big Shoals State Park Sidetrips: Osceola National Forest, Ichetucknee Springs State Park, O’Leno State Park/ River Rise Preserve, Ginnie Springs Outdoors 9.
    [Show full text]
  • 070-079 Citrus County FL.Indd
    Best Neighborhood: Relocate Using Your Florida’s Citrus County Waterways in Richmond Hill, GA Home Sale Proceeds North of Tampa The Authority on Retirement Relocation March/April 2020 8 Cities for Hikers &Walkers Las Vegas, NV: Blue Ridge Splendor Diving Into a A Retiree Haven In Lynchburg, VA New Dining Scene Cathedral Rock in Sedona, AZ US $5.95/CAN $6.95 | DISPLAY UNTIL APRIL 7 | WhereToRetire.com WTR_MA20_cover_FINAL.indd 1 1/14/20 3:25 PM PROFILE by Alan Macher CITRUS COUNTY, FL Florida still has some pastoral land as well as acres of preserved properties, and plenty of both are in Citrus County, north of Tampa. e county now is seeing growth, partly due to master-planned communities for retirees. URSULA CASETT VON BATEMBERG-CVB PHOTOGRAPHY/DISCOVER CRYSTAL RIVER FLORIDA CRYSTAL PHOTOGRAPHY/DISCOVER BATEMBERG-CVB VON CASETT URSULA HE “SWEET SPOT” of Florida living is how Cynthia Oswald describes ru- AL GA ral Citrus County on the state’s Gulf Coast. “I call it that because we enjoy Jacksonville the wide-open spaces, but we’re also the northern gateway to the Tampa Tallahassee Bay region, with all of its attractions at our doorstep,” she says. “Here, you Gainesville Atlantic Ocean can do everything from swim with the manatees in Crystal River to kayak along inland waterways.” CITRUS Orlando Citrus County, 75 miles north of Tampa, is a wonderland of natural COUNTY beauty featuring miles of waterways, wildlife refuges, state forests and nature Tampa preserves. Residents like to call this region the Nature Coast, since large swaths of FL county land is in the public domain and therefore protected.
    [Show full text]
  • Currents and Crossroad: a Vision for Florida's Ocean and Coasts
    CURRENTS & Solutions CROSSROADS A VISION FOR FLORIDA’S OCEAN & COASTS 1 WHAT COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT FLORIDA? Healthy Florida Ocean & Coast Florida’s ocean and coastal environment drives the economy and culture of the state, making it a For me and for so many Americans, it’s emerald waters. Sandy beaches. Diverse coral reefs. world-renowned destination. In this section, we lay out key pillars of a healthy ocean and coast. Sea turtles. Manatees. Fresh seafood. I constantly marvel at the ocean and coastal riches bestowed on this state. FLORIDA COASTAL CONNECTIONS 4 Florida has an iconic natural environment. It is surrounded by and dependent on clean water. From the Panhandle to the Treasure Coast to the Florida Keys, you’re never more than CLEAN AND ABUNDANT WATER 6 60 miles from the beach. Florida’s coasts serve as treasured sanctuaries and economic engines – places to enjoy as well as earn a living and build a life. Ocean Conservancy has HEALTHY BEACHES 8 been honored to work in Florida for more than 30 years, working to keep beaches clean and fisheries healthy. During our time in this state we have seen time and again the deep THRIVING HABITATS 10 passion that Floridians have for their ocean and coasts. ABUNDANT WILDLIFE 12 Florida is now at a crossroads. It seems like new threats emerge every day that risk taking away that special connection to the ocean. We’ve seen harmful algal blooms blanket PLENTIFUL FISHERIES 14 both coasts. Pollution, from oil and gas to plastic trash, hurts Florida’s diverse wildlife and threatens the state’s pristine beaches and waters.
    [Show full text]