[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS82 KTAE 290325
HLSTAE
ALZ065>069-FLZ007>019-026>029-034-108-112-114-115-118-127-128-134-GAZ120>131-142>148-155>161-291130-

Hurricane Zeta Local Statement Advisory Number 18
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL  AL282020
1125 PM EDT Wed Oct 28 2020 /1025 PM CDT Wed Oct 28 2020/

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

**GUSTY WINDS EXPECTED ACROSS THE FLORIDA PANDHANDLE AND SOUTHEAST ALABAMA TONIGHT**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 200 miles west-northwest of Panama City or about 200
      miles west of Dothan
    - 31.5N 88.7W
    - Storm Intensity 80 mph
    - Movement Northeast or 40 degrees at 31 mph

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

Hurricane Zeta made landfall earlier today in southeast Louisiana
near Cocodrie. The system will continue quickly tracking northeast
across central Alabama overnight. As this occurs, portions of the
Florida Panhandle and southeast Alabama will see a short period
tonight of gusty winds with gusts of 40-50 mph possible. A few gusts
to around 35 mph have already been observed near the Florida Panhandle
coast. These stronger winds may lead to a few power outages.

In addition to the gusty winds, there is the threat for tornadoes
tonight mainly west of a line from Tallahassee to Albany with this
threat spreading east tomorrow morning. Any tornado that forms will
likely be quick to spin up and thus residents should be prepared to
act quickly.

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

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
the Florida Panhandle, southeast Alabama and portions of southwest Georgia.
Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having possible limited impacts. If realized,
these 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:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across the eastern
Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and
southwestern Georgia. Remain well prepared 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.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
coastal portions of the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend. Remain well
away from locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts. If
realized, these impacts include:
    - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
      immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
      farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
    - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
      with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
      surge water covers the road.
    - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
      in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
    - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
      and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time
across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern
Alabama and southwestern Georgia.

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
High surf is expected to lead to some beach erosion. In addition, there
is a high risk of rip currents through Friday.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

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 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 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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