[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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ALZ065>069-FLZ007>019-026>029-034-108-112-114-115-118-127-128-134-GAZ120>131-142>148-155>161-101830-

Hurricane Michael Local Statement Advisory Number 15
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL  AL142018
623 AM EDT Wed Oct 10 2018 /523 AM CDT Wed Oct 10 2018/

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

**HURRICANE MICHAEL IS A CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE. THIS WILL BE AN
UNPRECEDENTED EVENT FOR THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE AND BIG BEND.**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Warning has been upgraded to a Hurricane
      Warning for Tift and Turner
    - The Hurricane Watch has been cancelled for Coffee
    - The Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning have been
      upgraded to a Hurricane Warning for Clay, Dale, Henry, Lee,
      Quitman, Randolph, and Terrell

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 130 miles south-southwest of PANAMA CITY or about 130
      miles southwest of APALACHICOLA
    - 28.3N 86.5W
    - Storm Intensity 140 mph
    - Movement North or 360 degrees at 13 mph

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

Hurricane Michael is now a category 4 hurricane! Catastrophic storm
surge and winds are expected today. Michael is expected to make
landfall as a category 4 along the Florida Panhandle Coast or Big Bend
late this morning or early afternoon. This is an unprecedented event
as there are no Category 4 storms on record to have made landfall
along the Florida Panhandle coast. There is an increasing threat for
tornadoes this morning as rain bands are already moving onshore.
Michael is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, widespread
power outages that will last days to even more than a week in some
areas, 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. Trees falling on homes will
become a dangerous and potentially deadly situation. The time for
preparations is quickly ending.

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

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend coastline. These impacts 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.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
the Florida Panhandle, Western Big Bend, SW Georgia and SE Alabama.
Remain well sheltered from life-threatening wind having devastating
impacts. These impacts 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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the Florida Panhandle, Western Big Bend, SW Georgia and SE Alabama.
If realized, these 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.

* TORNADOES:
Potential for tornadoes across the Florida Panhandle, Big Bend and SW
Georgia. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having
significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution
      of emergency plans during tropical events.
    - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots
      of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
    - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile
      homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or
      uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about.
      Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local officials for recommended preparedness actions and
evacuations. Conditions will deteriorate this morning and the time
to evacuate is quickly ending. Remain in a safe place and do not
return until county officials say it is safe.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your
shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best
foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather.

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.

If an Extreme Wind Warning is issued for your area, move to the
safest place within your shelter. Take the same life-saving actions
as if it were a violent tornado.

* 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 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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