[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS84 KMOB 041606
HLSMOB
ALZ051>060-261>266-FLZ201>206-MSZ067-075-076-078-079-050015-

Tropical Storm Gordon Local Statement Advisory Number 9
National Weather Service Mobile AL  AL072018
1106 AM CDT Tue Sep 4 2018

This product covers portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south
central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi.

**GORDON EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL TONIGHT ON THE NORTHERN GULF COAST AS A
HURRICANE**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Escambia Inland,
      George, Greene, Okaloosa Coastal, Perry, and Stone
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Mobile Coastal
    - A Hurricane Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect for
      Baldwin Central, Baldwin Coastal, and Mobile Central
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect
      for Baldwin Inland, Escambia Coastal, Mobile Inland, and Santa
      Rosa Coastal

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 170 miles south-southeast of Mobile AL or about 140 miles
      south of Pensacola FL
    - 28.5N 86.8W
    - Storm Intensity 65 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 305 degrees at 15 mph

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

At 10:00 AM CDT Tropical Storm Gordon was located near latitude 28.5 North,
longitude 86.8 West.  Gordon was moving toward the northwest at 15 mph.
Gordon will continue to move northwestward across
the northern Gulf of Mexico today, and will approach the north-
central Gulf Coast within the hurricane warning area late this
afternoon or evening, and move inland over the lower Mississippi
Valley tonight and early Wednesday.

Storm surge this afternoon and evening could cause water levers to rise
2 to 4 feet along the western portions of Mobile Bay and 3 to 5 feet along coastal
areas of South Mobile County  Storm surges of 1 to 3 feet are generally expected from coastal
Baldwin County eastward along the Florida Coast to Navarre, Florida with
isolated peaks to 4 feet.

Periods of heavy rainfall are still expected by mid afternoon through the evening.
The heavy rainfall amounts are still expected to create areas of flash flooding
primarily southwest of a line extending from Waynesboro to Stockton to Pensacola.
Isolated short-lived and weak tornadoes will also be possible across the region
this evening.

-----------------

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across coastal Mobile and Baldwin counties eastward to Navarre, Florida.
Potential impacts in this area 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.

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts across across extreme southwest Alabama and portions of
interior southeast Mississippi and the far western portion of the
Florida panhandle. 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.
    - Many 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.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages.


* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across portions of southwestern Alabama, interior
southeast Mississippi and the western Florida panhandle..

Potential impacts include:
    - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter
      currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially
      in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and
      ditches overflow.
    - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations.
      Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid
      inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
      areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as
      storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions
      become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south
central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi.. 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:
Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, including
possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately.

For those not under evacuation orders, assess the risk from wind,
falling trees, and flooding at your location. If you decide to move,
relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do not relocate, help keep
roadways open for those under evacuation orders.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of
life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any
orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency
Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are
unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.

Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles
can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide
poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly
ventilated area.

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.

Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!

If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large
trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or
on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of
strong winds or flooding.

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 the latest detailed evacuation and shelter information...please
refer to your local emergency management agency at the phone number
or website listed below.
- Coastal Alabama:
- Baldwin County: 251-972-6807 or
www.baldwincountyal.gov/departments/EMA
- Mobile County: 251-460-8000 or www.mcema.net
- Northwest Florida:
- Escambia County: 850-471-6400 or bereadyescambia.com
- Santa Rosa County: 850-983-5360 www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency
- Okaloosa County: 850-651-7150 or www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/ps/home
- 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 Mobile AL around 4:30 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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