[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS82 KTAE 091518
HLSTAE
ALZ065>069-FLZ007>019-026>029-034-108-112-114-115-118-127-128-134-GAZ120>131-142>148-155>161-092330-

Hurricane Michael Local Statement Advisory Number 12
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL  AL142018
1118 AM EDT Tue Oct 9 2018 /1018 AM CDT Tue Oct 9 2018/

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

**MICHAEL FORECAST TO BRING DEVASTATING IMPACTS TO THE GULF COAST AS
A MAJOR HURRICANE**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Clay, Coffee, Dale, Henry, Lee, Quitman, Randolph, and Terrell
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Coastal Bay, Coastal Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Gulf,
      Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Wakulla, Inland
      Franklin, Inland Gulf, Inland Wakulla, and South Walton
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Baker, Brooks, Calhoun,
      Calhoun, Central Walton, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early,
      Gadsden, Geneva, Grady, Holmes, Houston, Inland Bay, Inland
      Jefferson, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Miller, Mitchell, North
      Walton, Seminole, Thomas, Washington, and Worth
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Ben Hill, Berrien,
      Cook, Inland Dixie, Inland Taylor, Irwin, Lafayette, Lanier,
      Lowndes, Madison, Tift, and Turner

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 350 miles south of PANAMA CITY or about 330 miles
      south-southwest of APALACHICOLA
    - 25.0N 86.2W
    - Storm Intensity 110 mph
    - Movement North or 350 degrees at 12 mph

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

A potentially catastrophic event is developing. Hurricane Michael, now
with maximum sustained winds of 110 MPH, is forecast to continue to
strengthen as it moves toward the northern Gulf coast. Michael is
forecast to reach major hurricane status this evening before landfall
along the Florida Panhandle tomorrow. Michael is forecast to bring
significant impacts to the area including life-threatening storm
surge, widespread power outages, downed trees that will block access
to roads and endanger individuals, structural damage to homes and
businesses, isolated flash flooding and the potential for tornadoes.
Impacts, including storm surge and tornadoes, may begin tonight along
our coastline.

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

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across the Florida panhandle, western Big Bend, extreme
southwest Georgia, and extreme southeast Alabama. Potential impacts in
this area 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.

Also, protect against life-threatening wind having possible
significant to extensive impacts across central Big Bend, south-central
Georgia, and southeast Alabama.

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible devastating
impacts across the Big Bend coast, especially Apalachee Bay. Potential
impacts in this area include:
    - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly
      accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to
      buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded
      from considerable floating debris. Locations may be
      uninhabitable for an extended period.
    - Near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or
      severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become
      stressed.
    - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible.
    - Massive damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
      Numerous small craft broken away from moorings with many lifted
      onshore and stranded.

Also, protect against life-threatening surge having possible
significant to extensive impacts across the Florida panhandle.


* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across the eastern Panhandle and western Big Bend.
Potential impacts include:
    - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple places. Small streams, creeks, 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.

Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across much of southeast Alabama, south Georgia,
and the remainder of the Florida panhandle and Big Bend.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across 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:
If evacuating, leave with a destination in mind and allow extra
time to get there. Take your emergency supplies kit. Gas up your
vehicle ahead of time.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible.
Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges
will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather
forecast before departing and drive with caution.

If heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter
rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or have
pets. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit.

Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and
hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge
zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find
yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed
evacuation orders issued by the local authorities.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.

* 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 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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