Tropical Cyclone Local Statement for Coffee; Dale; Henry +42 more

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HLSTAE This product covers eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia **ISAIAS MOVING INLAND OVER THE WESTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Coastal Bay and South Walton A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Central Walton, Coffee, Geneva, Holmes, Inland Bay, North Walton, and Washington A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Coastal Franklin, Coastal Gulf, Coastal Jefferson, and Coastal Wakulla A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Coastal Dixie and Coastal Taylor A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baker, Calhoun, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Dale, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Gadsden, Grady, Henry, Houston, Inland Franklin, Inland Gulf, Inland Jefferson, Inland Wakulla, Jackson, Lee, Leon, Miller, Mitchell, Northern Liberty, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Southern Liberty, Terrell, Thomas, and Worth * STORM INFORMATION: About 70 miles northwest of Panama City or about 120 miles northwest of Apalachicola 30.8N 86.5W Storm Intensity 90 mph Movement North or 5 degrees at 20 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ ...DAMAGING WIND GUSTS...FLOODING RAINS...AND A FEW TORNADOES POSSIBLE THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT HOURS INTO SATURDAY... At 11 PM ET, Hurricane Isaias was located over the western Florida Panhandle with winds of 90 mph and moving N at 20 mph. Isaias is forecast to continue on a northward track through the overnight hours and move into Alabama. Now inland, the peak winds of the hurricane will gradually weaken. However, a considerably large wind field combined with displaced convection east of the track will continue to generate impacts well beyond the forecast cone, particularly east of the hurricane's center. Conditions will remain dangerous across the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend, Southeast Alabama, and Southwest Georgia for the next several hours. Residents should remain in a safe location until conditions improve. A Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for the all of our Panhandle and Big Bend coast. Life-threatening inundation values of 3 to 5 feet above normally dry ground remain possible along the Panhandle coast east to the Aucilla River and 2 to 4 feet from the Aucilla River to the Suwannee River. Coastal saltwater flooding may linger through Saturday from persistent onshore flow. Soggy conditions across the region from recent rainfall will make much of the Tri-state area more sensitive to flooding from additional heavy rainfall from Isaias. Forecast rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are expected across much of the area from the storm. Localized totals up to 15 inches are possible, especially within banding across the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend. Such values would be capable of producing isolated to scattered flash flooding. Localized considerable flash flooding is also possible where bands of heavy rain move repeatedly over the same area. Given these factors, a Flood Watch is in effect for the Tri-State area through Saturday evening. Minor to isolated moderate river flooding appears likely from the anticipated rain. Isaias will also bring a heightened tornado risk across the Florida Panhandle and FL Big Bend overnight into Saturday and Southeast AL & Southwest GA late tonight into Saturday. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across the Tri-State area. Remain well sheltered from life-threatening wind having devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts include: Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks or months. Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. Widespread power and communications outages. Potential impacts from the main wind event are expected to continue across the Tri-State area. Remain well sheltered from life- threatening wind having limited to extensive impacts. * SURGE: Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across the Florida Panhandle and western Big Bend coast. Remain well away from life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include: Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast. Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low spots. Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents. Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages. Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across much of the Florida Panhandle, Big Bend and Southeast Alabama into Southwest Georgia. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having possible devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts include: Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues. Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, and ditches may become raging rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. * TORNADOES: Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across the eastern Florida Panhandle, Florida Big Bend, into Southeast Alabama and Southwest Georgia. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include: The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a battery- powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy. During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather. Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-ins. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Tallahassee FL around 530 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.