Storm Surge Watch for South Walton

Full official description

Bulletin details

A Hurricane Watch means hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours A Storm Surge Watch means life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, is possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours * LOCATIONS AFFECTED Santa Rosa Beach Sandestin Freeport * WIND LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Tropical Storm force wind Peak Wind Forecast: 40-50 mph with gusts to 65 mph Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Friday afternoon until Saturday morning THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 58 to 73 mph PLAN: Plan for dangerous wind of equivalent strong tropical storm force. PREPARE: Efforts to protect life and property should now be underway. Prepare for significant wind damage. ACT: Act now to complete preparations before the wind becomes hazardous. POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles. Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over. Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines. * STORM SURGE LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Life-threatening storm surge possible Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for 4-7 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas Window of concern: Friday morning until Saturday morning THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for storm surge flooding greater than 6 feet above ground PLAN: Plan for life-threatening storm surge flooding of greater than 6 feet above ground. PREPARE: Evacuation preparations should be underway. Assemble disaster supplies and know your evacuation route. ACT: Leave if evacuation orders are given for your area. Failure to heed evacuation orders may result in the loss of your life. POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. Large sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss. Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded. * FLOODING RAIN LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 4-8 inches, with locally higher amounts THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for major flooding rain PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for major flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are likely. PREPARE: Strongly consider protective actions, especially if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life. POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. * TORNADO LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Situation is unfavorable for tornadoes THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Tornadoes not expected PLAN: Tornadoes are not expected. Showers and thunderstorms with gusty winds may still occur. PREPARE: Little to no preparations needed to protect against tornadoes at this time. Keep informed of the latest tornado situation. ACT: Listen for changes in the forecast. POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None Little to no potential impacts from tornadoes. * FOR MORE INFORMATION: Local Weather Conditions and Forecasts: NWS Tallahassee https://www.weather.gov/tallahassee Information from the Florida Division of Emergency Management https://www.floridadisaster.org Information from Walton County Emergency Management https://www.co.walton.fl.us/1063/Emergency-Management