[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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HLSTAE
ALZ065>069-FLZ007>019-026>029-034-108-112-114-115-118-127-128-134-GAZ120>127-142>146-155>159-151830-

Hurricane Sally Local Statement Advisory Number 16
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL  AL192020
628 AM EDT Tue Sep 15 2020 /528 AM CDT Tue Sep 15 2020/

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

**Hurricane Sally is forecast to track slightly further to the east
compared to yesterday leading to greater rainfall impacts**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Coastal Bay, Coastal
      Gulf, and South Walton

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 170 miles west-southwest of Panama City or about 200
      miles west-southwest of Apalachicola
    - 28.9N 88.1W
    - Storm Intensity 85 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 2 mph

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

Hurricane Sally was located 170 miles west-southwest of Panama City,
with impacts continuing to extend well northeast of the center into
the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend. Sally was moving very slowly toward
the west-northwest early this morning, and will make a gradual turn
toward the north today before making landfall along the northern Gulf
coast on Wednesday. The greatest threat to the area continues to be
heavy rain due to the slow movement of Sally. Localized rainfall
amounts of 10 inches are possible in Southeast Alabama and isolated
amounts up to 20 inches are possible in Walton County, which could
result in flash flooding through Thursday morning.

Additional impacts include tropical storm force winds, potential
tornadoes, and hazardous surf conditions.

Sustained tropical storm force winds continue over the Gulf of Mexico
waters. These tropical storm force winds will occasionally reach the
immediate coast of the Florida Panhandle to the west of Indian Pass
into Tuesday Night, especially in heavier rain bands. Minor storm surge
flooding with 1 to 3 feet of inundation above normally dry ground is
expected across the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend coast near the times
of high tide through Wednesday. A few tornadoes will be possible
across the Florida Panhandle into Southeast Alabama into mid-week.
High surf will continue to create very dangerous conditions at area
beaches, with life-threatening rip currents through mid-week.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across the Florida Panhandle and Western Big Bend, Southeast
Alabama, and portions of Southwest Georgia. 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, 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.

Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited
to significant impacts across the Eastern Florida Big Bend.

* WIND:
Protect against 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:
Protect against 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:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
across the coastal areas of the Florida Panhandle and the Big Bend.
Potential impacts in this area 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.

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
Life threatening rip currents will persist through at least Thursday
and high surf through Wednesday.


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:

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 a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter
quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not
prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter
options.

If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city in which
you are staying and the name of the county in which it resides.
Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for
instructions from local authorities.

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 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 1130 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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