[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS84 KMOB 131006
HLSMOB
ALZ263>266-FLZ202-204-206-131815-

Tropical Storm Sally Local Statement Advisory Number 7
National Weather Service Mobile AL  AL192020
506 AM CDT Sun Sep 13 2020

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

**TROPICAL STORM SALLY IS STRENGTHENING OVER THE EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Baldwin Central,
      Baldwin Coastal, Mobile Central, and Mobile Coastal
    - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
      Warning for Escambia Coastal, Okaloosa Coastal, and Santa Rosa
      Coastal

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 360 miles southeast of Mobile AL or about 310 miles
      southeast of Pensacola FL
    - 27.0N 84.0W
    - Storm Intensity 50 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 13 mph

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

At 4:00 AM CDT, Tropical Storm Sally was located 115 miles west of Port
Charlotte, along the west coast of Florida. Sally will move west-northwest to
northwest into the north central Gulf of Mexico through Monday, then begin
to slow its forward speed. The cyclone should turn north at a slow rate of
speed and approach the north central Gulf coast by Tuesday evening.

This system will bring an extended period of heavy rains with amounts of
6 to 12 inches expected, with locally higher amounts up to 20 inches across
the western Florida panhandle, coastal southwest Alabama and southeast
Mississippi. Tropical Storm Force winds are likely along the immediate
coastlines of Alabama and much of the western Florida Panhandle. If the storm
were to take a more eastward track then currently forecast, then hurricane
force winds would be possible. A Storm Surge Watch remains in effect for
coastal Alabama where water levels of 2 to 4 feet above dry ground are
possible.  Further to the east, a Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect with
water levels of 1 to 3 feet above dry ground expected along the western
Florida panhandle. A few tornadoes are also possible mainly across the
western Florida panhandle, extreme southwestern Alabama and extreme southeast
Mississippi. In addition, rough surf and dangerous rip currents are expected
along the beaches with dangerous wave run up likely.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across southeast Mississippi, extreme southwestern Alabama
and the western Florida panhandle. 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, canals, and ditches may
      become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas, destructive runoff
      may run quickly down valleys while increasing susceptibility to
      rockslides and mudslides. 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 interior southwest Alabama and portions of south
central Alabama.

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across coastal Alabama. 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.

Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across coastal portions of the western Florida Panhandle.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across extreme southeast Mississippi, extreme southwestern Alabama, the
western Florida panhandle and extreme south central Alabama. 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.

Elsewhere across portions of southwest Alabama...northwest
Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi.,
little to no impact is anticipated.

* WIND:
Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts
across portions of extreme southeast Mississippi, coastal Alabama, and
coastal sections of the western Florida Panhandle. Potential impacts in
this area include:
    - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
      to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
      experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile
      homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight
      objects become dangerous projectiles.
    - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
      numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several
      fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines.

Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across interior southeast Mississippi, interior southwest Alabama, interior
sections of the western Florida panhandle, and portions of south central
Alabama.

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

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

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.

Let others know where you are going prior to departure. Secure loose items
and pets in the car, and avoid distracted driving.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and
property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a
safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.

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!

There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways
to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly.

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 11 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

JLH
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