NWS description
HLSTAE
This product covers eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia
**ISAIAS IS NOW POST-TROPICAL. MULTIPLE HAZARDS STILL REMAIN**
NEW INFORMATION
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* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued and the Hurricane
Warning has been cancelled for Central Walton, Coastal Bay,
Coffee, Geneva, Holmes, Inland Bay, North Walton, South Walton,
and Washington
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
for Coastal Bay, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Gulf, Coastal
Jefferson, Coastal Wakulla, and South Walton
- A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Coastal Dixie and
Coastal Taylor
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baker, Calhoun,
Calhoun, Central Walton, Clay, Coffee, Colquitt, Dale, Decatur,
Dougherty, Early, Gadsden, Geneva, Grady, Henry, Holmes,
Houston, Inland Bay, Inland Franklin, Inland Gulf, Inland
Jefferson, Inland Wakulla, Jackson, Lee, Leon, Miller,
Mitchell, North Walton, Northern Liberty, Quitman, Randolph,
Seminole, Southern Liberty, Terrell, Thomas, Washington, and
Worth
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 110 miles north-northwest of Panama City or about 150
miles northwest of Apalachicola
- 31.5N 86.5W
- Storm Intensity 65 mph
- Movement North or 355 degrees at 20 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
At 2 AM ET, Post-Tropical Cyclone Isaias was moving north at 20 mph
over Southern Alabama with max sustained winds of 65 mph. All prior
Hurricane Warnings have been replaced by Tropical Storm Warnings to
account for lingering gusty winds occasionally to around 40 mph or
higher. Other pre-existing hazards remain in effect through this
intermediate advisory cycle.
A Storm Surge Warning continues across all of our Florida Panhandle
and Big Bend coast until later this morning for inundation values of
2 to 4 feet above normally dry ground. Coastal saltwater flooding may
linger through Saturday from persistent onshore flow.
Very heavy rain was observed earlier this evening mainly along and
just east of Isaias' track. Radar-estimated amounts highlight a swath
of 7 to 8 inches from coastal Walton County, FL into western Geneva,
and Coffee County, AL with isolated amounts in excess of 10 inches.
Standing water is likely at those locations. Although much of the
flooding rain threat has subsided, additional bands of showers with
embedded heavy rain are expected to redevelop later this morning and
focus across the Forgotten Coast, Florida Big Bend, and I-75 corridor.
A Flood Watch remains in effect areawide until this evening.
The tornado risk has also diminished substantially this evening, but
there is another window of opportunity for potential tornadic
circulations within the aforementioned bands through this afternoon.
Despite the overall improved weather conditions, residents are urged
to remain vigilant with respect to damage in the form of downed trees
and power lines, in addition to any standing water from flooding
rains, and continued hazardous beach conditions.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still ongoing across
parts of the Tri-state area. 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.
* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are still ongoing across
the Florida Panhandle and 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.
* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes possibly unfold across the Florida
Big Bend and parts of 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.
* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are ongoing across much of
the Tri-state area. Remain well sheltered from strong to gusty winds
having possible 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.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
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.
Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos.
If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch
or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic
rise in water levels.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
NEXT UPDATE
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The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Tallahassee FL around 6 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.
