[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS82 KTAE 162118
HLSTAE
ALZ065>069-FLZ007>019-026>029-034-108-112-114-115-118-127-128-134-GAZ120>131-142>148-155>161-170530-

Tropical Storm Sally Local Statement Advisory Number 23
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL  AL192020
518 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2020 /418 PM CDT Wed Sep 16 2020/

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

...FLASH FLOOD AND TORNADO THREAT CONTINUE AS SALLY MOVES FURTHER INLAND...

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* 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 Calhoun, Central
      Walton, Coastal Bay, Coastal Gulf, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry,
      Holmes, Houston, Inland Bay, Inland Gulf, Jackson, North
      Walton, and Washington

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 100 miles northwest of Panama City or about 80 miles west
      of Dothan
    - 31.2N 86.8W
    - Storm Intensity 60 mph
    - Movement Northeast or 35 degrees at 7 mph

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

Since the last update Sally has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm, but
the local impacts remain mostly unchanged. The potential for heavy rain
and flash flooding continues as Sally's rain bands orient north to south
and train over the same locations. The hardest hit locations in the Florida
panhandle continue to struggle with significant impacts from Sally's earlier
rainfall, though additional forecast rainfall amounts appear to be low at
this time. The tornado threat in Sally's outer bands has increased in the
past hour or so as the bands interact with small-scale features. Expect the
greatest threat for tornadoes to exist in south-central Georgia and the
eastern Big Bend of Florida over the next few hours. In addition, tropical
storm force winds continue this hour closer to Sally's center across the
Panhandle and southern Alabama. Along the coast, elevated water levels
continue to produce minor coastal flooding from Walton county through the
western Big Bend. In the head of Apalachee Bay, locally significant surge
resulted in a coastal river gauge along the Aucilla river rising to just
shy of Major flood stage.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the Florida panhandle, southeast Alabama, and extreme southwest Georgia.
Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having additional
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
the Big Bend and south-central Georgia. Remain well guarded against
life-threatening flood waters having possible limited to extensive
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 additional 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.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
the Panhandle and southeast Alabama. Remain well sheltered from dangerous
wind having additional 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 are also now unfolding
across extreme western portions of the western Big Bend and southwest
Georgia. Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having possible limited
impacts.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the Panhandle and Big Bend. Remain well away from locally hazardous
surge having additional 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.

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

* EVACUATIONS:

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

* 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 11 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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