Tropical Update From the National Weather Service

Matt Boster

Viewed: 4242

Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: May 26 2018 10:21 AM

This product covers the eastern Florida panhandle, western Florida 
Big Bend, southeastern Alabama, and extreme southwestern Georgia. 
 
**TROPICAL STORM WATCH EXPANDED EASTWARD AND INLAND** 
NEW INFORMATION 
--------------- 
 
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: 
- A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Central Walton, 
Coastal Franklin, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Wakulla, Inland 
Bay, and Inland Gulf 
 
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: 
- A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for Coastal Dixie and Coastal 
Taylor 
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Central Walton, Inland 
Bay, and Inland Gulf 
- A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch are in effect for 
Coastal Bay, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Gulf, Coastal Jefferson, 
Coastal Wakulla, and South Walton 
 
* STORM INFORMATION: 
- About 590 miles south of PANAMA CITY or about 560 miles south 
of APALACHICOLA 
- 21.6N 84.9W 
- Storm Intensity 40 mph 
- Movement North or 10 degrees at 10 mph 
SITUATION OVERVIEW 
------------------ 
The latest forecast has shifted the track of Subtropical Storm 
Alberto a bit eastward. The primary threats remain the same however, 
with heavy rain, coastal flooding, and isolated tornadoes possible. 
Forecast rainfall amounts range from 4 to 6 inches across the 
eastern Big Bend and Panhandle of Florida, to 2 to 4 inches 
elsewhere. Isolated higher amounts up to double these values will be 
possible. The bulk of these totals will fall between Sunday 
afternoon and Monday, with flash flooding possible during this time 
period. Coastal flooding remains a threat along the entire Panhandle 
and Big Bend coast, with 2 to 4 feet of inundation possible at the 
immediate coast. The greatest coastal flooding impacts appear to be 
focused along Franklin and Wakulla counties at this time. The chance 
for isolated tornadoes exists with the onset of rain bands on 
Sunday, lasting through Monday. At this time, the potential for 
tropical storm force winds remains confined to the immediate coast 
from the Aucilla river westward, inland Gulf, Bay, and central Walton 
counties, as well as across the northeast Gulf waters. 
POTENTIAL IMPACTS 
----------------- 
 
* FLOODING RAIN: 
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant 
impacts across the Florida Big Bend, eastern Panhandle, and southeast 
Alabama. Potential impacts include: 
- Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and 
rescues. 
- Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter 
currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially 
in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, 
arroyos, and ditches overflow. 
- Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. 
Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid 
inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage 
areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as 
storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions 
become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures. 
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible 
limited impacts across southwest Georgia. 
 
* SURGE: 
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant 
impacts across Franklin and Wakulla counties. Potential impacts in 
this area 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. 
Also, prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited 
impacts across the remainder of the Panhandle and Big Bend. 
 
* WIND: 
Prepare for dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across 
the immediate coast from the Aucilla river westward, as well as 
interior Gulf, Bay, and Walton counties. Potential impacts include: 
- 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. 
 
* TORNADOES: 
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across 
the eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern 
Alabama, and southwestern Georgia.. Potential impacts include: 
- The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution 
of emergency plans during tropical events. 
- A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power 
and communications disruptions. 
- Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys 
toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, 
large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees 
knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats 
pulled from moorings. 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS 
---------------------------------- 
 
* EVACUATIONS: 
Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, 
including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so 
immediately. 
 
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: 
When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the 
exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging 
wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the 
center of the storm. 
 
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: 
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov 
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org 
- 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 5 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions 
warrant.

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