[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Mon May 28 10:20:14 CDT 2018

WTUS82 KTAE 281519
HLSTAE
ALZ065>069-FLZ007>018-026>028-108-112-114-115-118-127-128-134-GAZ120-121-142-143-155>157-282130-

Subtropical Storm Alberto Local Statement Advisory Number 14
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL  AL012018
1119 AM EDT Mon May 28 2018 /1019 AM CDT Mon May 28 2018/

This product covers EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE...FLORIDA BIG
BEND...SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA AND SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA

**CENTER OF ALBERTO NEARING THE COAST OF THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE**

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for Henry and
      Liberty
    - The Storm Surge Watch has been cancelled for Coastal Bay and
      South Walton

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect
      for Coastal Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Gulf, Coastal
      Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, and Coastal Wakulla
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Calhoun, Central
      Walton, Coastal Bay, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Holmes, Houston,
      Inland Bay, Inland Franklin, Inland Gulf, Jackson, North
      Walton, South Walton, and Washington

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 40 miles south of PANAMA CITY or about 50 miles
      west-southwest of APALACHICOLA
    - 29.5N 85.8W
    - Storm Intensity 60 mph
    - Movement North or 360 degrees at 8 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Subtropical Storm Alberto has weakened slightly this morning as it
continues to move northward toward the Florida Panhandle. Little
change in strength is anticipated prior to landfall later today.
Tropical Storm Warnings remain in effect for the Florida Gulf Coast
from the Suwannee River to the Alabama line. Alberto is forecast to
make landfall between Panama City and Destin this afternoon.

Tropical storm force winds have already been observed in Franklin
County and offshore, and are expected further west along the Florida
Panhandle coast. Further east, tropical storm force winds will
primarily occur in gusts across the eastern Florida Big Bend. There
is a risk for isolated tornadoes across the entire region through
tonight. Additional rainfall amounts of 3 to 7 inches are expected
with isolated higher amounts of 10 to 12 inches possible, mainly
across the Florida Panhandle into southern Alabama. A Flash Flood
Watch remains in effect for the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend,
southeast Alabama, and extreme southwest Georgia. The greatest
threat for storm surge impacts will be along the Big Bend coast this
afternoon during the high tide cycle. Between 2 and 4 feet of
inundation will be possible. The storm surge threat has diminished
west of Cape San Blas, but some minor coastal flooding cannot be
ruled out.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE...FLORIDA BIG BEND...SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA AND
SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA. Remain well sheltered from dangerous wind having
possible significant impacts. If realized, these 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:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across EASTERN
FLORIDA PANHANDLE...FLORIDA BIG BEND...SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA AND
SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA. Remain well braced against a tornado event having
possible limited impacts. If realized, these 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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across the
EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE...FLORIDA BIG BEND...SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA AND
SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA. Remain well guarded against life-threatening
flood waters having possible extensive impacts. If realized, these
impacts include:
    - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may
      become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may
      become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter many 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.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the FLORIDA BIG BEND. 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 the EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE, little surge impact is
anticipated.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
Do not enter evacuated areas until officials have given the all clear
to return.

* 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.

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 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 530 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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