New Brockton, AL Weather Warnings
Warning
Tropical Cyclone Statement issued October 7 at 5:21PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL HLSTAE This product covers eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia **MILTON NOW A MAJOR CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Coastal Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Wakulla, Inland Dixie, Inland Taylor, and Lafayette - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Inland Jefferson and Madison * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Coastal Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Wakulla, Inland Dixie, Inland Taylor, and Lafayette - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Inland Jefferson and Madison * STORM INFORMATION: - About 650 miles southwest of Apalachicola or about 720 miles southwest of Tallahassee - 21.8N 90.8W - Storm Intensity 180 mph - Movement East or 90 degrees at 10 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ At 5 PM EDT, Hurricane Milton was a major category 5 hurricane in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico and was moving due east as it parallels the northern portions of the Yucatan Peninsula. It reached Category 5 status around 12 pm noon EDT today after a period of rapid intensification that began Sunday evening accelerated this morning. Milton is still forecast to make landfall along the Florida west coast later on Wednesday or into early Thursday as a major hurricane. While the wind speeds at landfall are forecast at a category 3, a substantial increase in the size of Milton will keep gusty winds and a rainfall threat in place for the southeastern Florida Big Bend. While Milton is currently a small hurricane by size, the wind field is forecast to grow larger as it approaches Florida and this will bring an increase in the surge concerns to the west coast of Florida, depsite the decrease in winds. Additionally, it will begin to interact with a cold front moving southeast over the Florida Panhandle. This expansion in the wind field will help to increase winds on the northwest side of the circulation. Thus tropical storm conditions are likely across the Apalachee Bay coastline, and into the southeast portions of the Florida Big Bend in and and east of Jefferson County, Florida. Note, while gusty winds may not reach tropical storm strength across much of the area, but they could still hamper recovery efforts from Helene and cause additional damage to weakened trees or structures. In addition to the wind threat, heavy rainfall is likely across the southeast Big Bend. As Milton interacts with the cold front, a band of heavy rain may materialize that could produce 3 to 5 inches of rain, with local amounts potentially higher across the lower Suwannee Valley. This could result in some localized flash flooding. There will be a very sharp cutoff in the higher rainfall amounts on the northwestern side of the Milton so any subtle shifts in track could bring higher, or lower, amounts of rainfall to those who reside along the current gradient of heavy rain. This gradient, which has moved southeast with this advisory, now stretches from Steinhatchee northeast through Lake City, Florida. Tornadoes and storm surge are currently not a concern with the forecast track of Milton. However, storm surge will be highly track dependent. Any shifts in the track northward may bring a storm surge threat into the some portions of the Apalachee Bay. With strong easterly flow ahead of the storm, there will at least be some potential for minor coastal flooding under 3 feet, mostly along any beaches with an east facing aspect. These would likely be beaches from Alligator Point to St. Marks. Dangerous marine conditions are also expected with building waves and strengthening winds beginning Wednesday and persisting into Thursday afternoon or evening. This will result in high surf and deadly rip currents along all area beaches for much of the upcoming week. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts across the southeast Florida Big Bend. Potential impacts in this area include: - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed. Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks. - Several large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Some bridges, causeways, and access routes might become impassable. - Scattered power and communications outages. Also, prepare for dangerous wind having possible limited to impacts across the coast of the Apalachee Bay extending westwards towards the Indian Pass. Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * SURGE: Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across the Apalachee Bay. Potential impacts in this area include: - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across the southeast Florida Big Bend. Potential impacts include: - Heavy rainfall flooding may prompt some evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries could rapidly overflow their banks in some places. Small streams, creeks, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter several 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. Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * TORNADOES: Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. 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. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast. * 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 11 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.
National Weather Service