[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS84 KMOB 161558
HLSMOB
ALZ051>060-261>266-FLZ201>206-MSZ067-075-076-078-079-170000-

Hurricane Sally Local Statement Advisory Number 22
National Weather Service Mobile AL  AL192020
1058 AM CDT Wed Sep 16 2020

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

**Hurricane Sally producing damaging winds, life threatening
flooding, and storm surge**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Butler, Clarke,
      Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, George, Greene, Monroe,
      Washington, and Wilcox
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Baldwin Central, Baldwin
      Inland, Escambia, Escambia Inland, Mobile Central, Mobile
      Inland, Okaloosa Inland, and Santa Rosa Inland
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Baldwin Coastal, Escambia Coastal, Mobile Coastal, Okaloosa
      Coastal, and Santa Rosa Coastal

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 40 miles east of Mobile AL or about 10 miles
      west-northwest of Pensacola FL
    - 30.6N 87.4W
    - Storm Intensity 80 mph
    - Movement North-northeast or 30 degrees at 5 mph

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

As of 10:00 PM CDT, the eyewall of Hurricane Sally continues to move very
slowly north northeast through Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida.
The eyewall is bringing dangerous sustained hurricane force winds and gusts
between 70 and 90 mph. Life threatening storm surge is also occurring at this
time in surge prone areas along the western Florida Panhandle. This will
result in significant damage in areas impacted by the eyewall. Please do not
venture outside during the calm period with the eye. This will be temporary
and damaging winds will follow the period of calm with the back side of the
eyewall. Damaging winds will continue to spread inland through today after
landfall and it will continue to weaken as it slowly moves northeast.

Historic and extremely dangerous flash flooding and river flooding will
continue through tonight. Total rainfall amounts of 20 to 30 inches will
be common with isolated amounts of 35 inches along coastal
Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle. Farther north over interior
portions of southwest and south-central Alabama, totals of 8 to
16 inches with locally higher amounts between 20 and 25 inches will be
possible through Thursday.

A Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for coastal Alabama from Dauphin
Island east through the western Florida Panhandle. Water levels of 2 to
4 feet are expected at Dauphin Island. Water levels of 4 to 7 feet are
expected through the western Florida Panhandle. In addition, rough surf
and dangerous rip currents are expected along the beaches with dangerous
wave run up.

A few tornadoes are also possible across the western Florida Panhandle and
south-central Alabama today.

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

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the western Florida Panhandle. Remain well away from life-threatening
surge having extensive impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding
      accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings,
      with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating
      debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period.
    - Large sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads
      washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and
      barriers may become stressed.
    - Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss.
    - Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many
      small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
coastal Alabama eastward through the western Florida Panhandle. Remain
well sheltered from life-threatening wind having extensive impacts.
If realized, these impacts include:
    - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
      window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
      damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.
      Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be
      uninhabitable for weeks.
    - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
      roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages.

Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across south central Alabama. Remain well sheltered from
dangerous wind having significant impacts.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
coastal Alabama eastward across the western Florida Panhandle. Remain well
guarded against life-threatening flood waters having 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,
      canals, and ditches may become raging rivers. In mountain
      areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while increasing
      susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. 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
interior southwest into south central Alabama. Remain well guarded against
life-threatening flood waters having limited to extensive impacts.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across south central
Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle. Remain well braced against a
tornado event having 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.

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

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

* EVACUATIONS:

Do not enter evacuated areas until officials have given the all clear
to return.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for
updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a
battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.

During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your
shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best
foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather.

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.

Be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure
generators are placed outside and in a well-ventilated area away from
where you are sheltering. Do not leave your car running in the garage.

Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos.

Quickly move to the safest place within your shelter if it begins to
fail, preferably an interior room on the lowest floor as long as
flooding is not a concern.

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 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 4 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

$$
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