Though Sandy is not projected to make a direct hit on Northeast Florida, emergency officials are warning that tropical storm conditions are possible Friday going into Saturday afternoon.

Michael Jacobson, director of emergency management, says we can expect more of a wind event than a rain event.

He says we'll see 20 to 30 mph winds sustained throughout Friday, and that range will go up to 25 to 35 mph by Friday night into Saturday morning.

“Heavy onshore winds.  There should be some large waves.  Choppy waves.  So, not even conducive to good surfing,” he said.

He recommends everyone to stay out of the ocean Friday and Saturday.

“This time of year we don’t have a typical robust lifeguard presence that we have in the summertime.”

Jacobson says those tailgating for the Florida-Georgia game should be cautious.  Barbequing with charcoal grills, lighter fluid and open flames could be dangerous with the wind gusting.

He says they may be forced to curtail or suspend the St. Johns River taxis if necessary.  They’re expecting the river to be a two or three feet higher than usual, but they don’t think there will be enough rain to cause major flooding.

If the storm tracks as forecasted, he does not think they will have to close the bridges.  The maximum sustained winds predicted are 35 mph.  They’d have to reach 39 mph for the bridges to be closed.

Jacobson does not think they will have to activate the Duval Emergency Operations Center.