[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS82 KTAE 272119
HLSTAE
ALZ065>069-FLZ007>019-026>029-034-108-112-114-115-118-127-128-134-GAZ120>131-142>148-155>161-280530-

Tropical Storm Zeta Local Statement Advisory Number 13
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL  AL282020
519 PM EDT Tue Oct 27 2020 /419 PM CDT Tue Oct 27 2020/

This product covers eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia

**Tropical Storm Conditions Possible for Portions of the Florida
Panhandle and Southeastern Alabama **


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Central Walton,
      Coffee, Geneva, Holmes, and North Walton

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Central Walton, Coffee,
      Geneva, Holmes, and North Walton

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 580 miles south-southwest of Panama City or about 590
      miles southwest of Apalachicola
    - 22.7N 90.3W
    - Storm Intensity 65 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 310 degrees at 14 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Tropical Storm Zeta has pushed into the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast
to strengthen into a hurricane over the next 12 to 24 hours. Zeta is
forecast to make landfall along the Central Gulf coast before quickly
moving northeastward. While Zeta passes just to our northwest through
Central Alabama, some gusty winds near 40 to 50 mph will be possible
across portions of the Florida Panhandle and Southeast Alabama. These
winds could cause minor damage to trees and power lines. There is also
a low end tornado threat across most of the area, primarily for the
Wednesday night into Thursday morning time frame. A storm surge of
near 2 feet is possible across the Florida Panhandle along with rough
surf and deadly rip currents. A storm surge of 2 to 3 feet will be
possible in Apalachee Bay along with rip currents at Franklin County
beaches. There is a very low-end flooding rain threat with only an
inch or two of rainfall (or less) expected.



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

* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and
southwestern Georgia. Potential impacts include:
    - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
      mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
    - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
      uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
      shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
      bridges and other elevated roadways.
    - Scattered power and communications outages.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for 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.

* SURGE:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across eastern
Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and
southwestern Georgia. A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across the Florida Panhandle and Southeast Alabama.
Potential impacts include:
    - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents.
      Small streams, creeks, and ditches may become swollen and
      overflow in spots.
    - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually
      vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water
      occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
      areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become
      near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge
      closures.

Elsewhere across Florida Big Bend and southwestern Georgia, little to
no impact is anticipated.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions,
including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so
immediately.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your
home or business.

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.

$$
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