[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS82 KTAE 160357
HLSTAE
ALZ065>069-FLZ007>019-026>029-034-108-112-114-115-118-127-128-134-GAZ120>131-142>148-155>161-161200-

Hurricane Sally Local Statement Advisory Number 19
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL  AL192020
1157 PM EDT Tue Sep 15 2020 /1057 PM CDT Tue Sep 15 2020/

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

...LIFE THREATENING FLASH FLOODING LIKELY FOR PORTIONS OF THE
FLORIDA PANHANDLE AND SOUTHEAST ALABAMA THROUGH MID-WEEK...

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning has been issued for South Walton

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for South Walton
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Central Walton,
      Coastal Bay, Coastal Gulf, Coffee, Geneva, Holmes, Inland Bay,
      North Walton, and Washington

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 130 miles west of Panama City or about 170 miles west of
      Apalachicola
    - 29.8N 87.8W
    - Storm Intensity 85 mph
    - Movement North-northeast or 20 degrees at 2 mph

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

Hurricane Sally continues its slow trek towards the Gulf coast this
evening. A Storm Surge Warning is now in effect for portions of Walton
County, particularly closer to the coast, where there is a danger of
life threatening inundation above normally dry ground. Further east
for the remainder of the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend coasts, minor
coastal flooding is expected to continue.

The greatest threat Sally poses to the local area is the potential for
flash flooding. Flash Flood warnings are already in effect across the
Panhandle and it is only expected to get worse over the next 24 to 48
hours. Life threatening flash flooding is possible. Areas that have the
greatest potential of realizing the more extreme accumulations are
west of the Apalachicola river, and primarily from Bay county to Dale
county and points west. 5 to 9 inches of rain have already fallen
across localized areas in the Panhandle. Through Thursday, another 8
to 12 inches will be possible, with isolated higher amounts possibly
exceeding 20 inches.

As far as the wind threat is concerned, Tropical Storm force winds
sustained and/or frequent gusts are increasingly likely across
portions of the Panhandle and extreme southeast Alabama. Tropical
storm force winds could begin as early as late tonight and may
linger into Wednesday night.

A few tornadoes will also be possible as rain bands move ashore.
A tornado watch is in effect through the overnight hours for the
Florida Panhandle. Tornadoes will remain possible through mid-week.


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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the portions of the Florida panhandle. Remain well guarded against
life-threatening flood waters having possible devastating impacts.
If realized, these impacts include:
    - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks
      in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks,
      and ditches may become raging rivers. Flood control systems and
      barriers may become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape
      routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water
      with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very
      dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened
      or washed out.

Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
portions of the Big Bend and southeast Alabama. Remain well guarded against
life-threatening flood waters having possible limited to extensive impacts.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the Panhandle and Big Bend coasts. 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.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event could begin overnight for
portions of the Panhandle and southeast Alabama. Remain well sheltered from
dangerous wind having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts
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. A few bridges, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines.

Potential impacts from the main wind event could begin during Wednesday
across the western Big Bend of Florida and extreme southwest Georgia.
Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having possible limited impacts.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across eastern
Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and
southwestern Georgia. Remain well braced 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.

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
A high risk of rip currents and high surf is likely through Wednesday.


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

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

If evacuating, follow designated evacuation routes. Seek traffic information
on roadway signs, the radio, and from official sources.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch
or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic
rise in water levels.

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 530 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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