UPDATE: Hurricane Isaias is now making landfall in the Florida Panhandle, close to Fort Walton Beach. Storm surge is occurring. An extreme wind warning is still in place for portions of the Western Florida Panhandle. There is still a concern for heavy rain and flooding across the Southeast this weekend.
Update: Extreme winds continue across the northwestern Florida panhandle into southern Alabama. High winds WILL continue north into Escambia, Covington, Monroe, Conecuh, Butler, Crenshaw counties through early tonight. Be in your safe place until the storm passes!
HOUSTON COUNTY: ALERT- Reports of a tree on a power line on Coot Fowler Road. This has resulted in a fire call. Sparks are reported. Use extreme caution.
FLOOD WATCH: Through October 10th 7:00 PM CST
* WHAT…Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE…Portions of southeast Alabama, including the following areas, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston, Florida, including the following areas, Calhoun, Central Walton, Coastal Dixie, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Gadsden, Holmes, Inland Bay, Inland Dixie, Inland Franklin, Inland Gulf, Inland Jefferson, Inland Taylor, Inland Wakulla, Jackson, Lafayette, Leon, Madison, North Walton, Northern Liberty, South Walton, Southern Liberty and Washington, and Georgia, including the following areas, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Irwin, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner and Worth. * WHEN…Through Saturday evening. * IMPACTS…Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS… – Hurricane Isaias is expected to bring bands of heavy rainfall to the area. Widespread totals of 4 to 8 inches are expected with localized amounts of 10 to 15 inches. Given saturated soils from recent heavy rainfall, flash flooding is expected. Considerable flash flooding is possible where bands of heavy rain move repeatedly over the same area. – http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
FROM JAMES SPANN:
ISAIAS AT 4:00
Sustained winds 115 mph
Located about 125 miles south/southeast of Mobile
Moving north at 17 mph
*Landfall comes around 7pm CT near Navarre Beach with winds around 100-105 mph
*Storm surge of 6-9 ft from the AL/FL Border to Grayton Beach
*Storm surge of 4-6 ft for the Alabama Gulf Coast including Dauphin Island
*Storm surge of 3-5 ft for Lower Mobile Bay
*Storm surge of 2-4 ft for Upper Mobile Bay
*Highest tornado risk over the Florida Panhandle, Georgia, and the southeast tip of Alabama
*Rain amounts 4-6 inches near the coast, 2-3 inches for most of inland Alabama.
*Wind is the BIG issue. Winds at hurricane force on the coast. Due to the accelerating forward speed and expanding wind field, most all of inland Alabama could see gusts to 50/60 mph overnight tonight. This will likely create major power outages and considerable tree damage.
*Winds will diminish late tomorrow morning, and by tomorrow night the weather will be completely dry with lighter wind.
WIREGRASS: As the storm gets closer to landfall, there are a few things weather watchers will be keeping an eye on.
As the storm begins to weaken or change structure, some of its strongest weather could become more concentrated on the north and west sides of the center. This could mean stronger winds and periods of very heavy rain in those areas.
Another concern is to the east of the storm’s center, where a line of powerful thunderstorms, known as supercells, could develop. These storms are capable of producing tornadoes as the system moves closer to land.
The storm’s exact track and how it develops will determine where the greatest threats occur. Residents should stay weather-aware, have multiple ways to receive warnings, and be ready to take shelter if a tornado warning is issued.
The bottom line: Don’t wait until the storm is at your doorstep to prepare. Stay informed and take every warning seriously.
