[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Nate Local Statement Advisory Number 12
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL  AL162017
533 AM EDT Sat Oct 7 2017 /433 AM CDT Sat Oct 7 2017/

This product covers EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE...FLORIDA BIG BEND...SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA AND SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA

...Hurricane Nate Continues To Barrel Towards the Central Gulf Coast...

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 410 miles south of DESTIN
    - 24.5N 87.0W
    - Storm Intensity 80 mph
    - Movement North-northwest or 340 degrees at 22 mph

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

Hurricane Nate continues to strengthen as it barrels toward the
central Gulf Coast this morning. The tri-state area may begin to
feel the effects of Nate as early as this afternoon. Tropical storm
force winds, isolated tornadoes, and coastal flooding remain the main
impacts for our local area. You should be finishing up your
preparations this morning.

Tropical storm force winds and wind gusts will be possible across the
Florida Panhandle and portions of southeast Alabama starting this
evening and lasting into Sunday. There is also the potential for
isolated tornadoes across the Florida Panhandle and portions of
southeast Alabama starting this afternoon, with the threat expanding
into southwest Georgia on Sunday as Nate moves inland. Additionally,
due to a combination of above average tides and increased swells from
Nate, there is the potential for 2 to 4 feet of inundation along the
Florida Panhandle coastline and 1 to 3 feet of inundation for coastal
areas of Apalachee Bay and elsewhere along the Big Bend coastline.

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

* WIND:
Prepare for dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across
extreme western Walton county in Florida and Geneva and Coffee counties
in southeast Alabama. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Moderate damage to frame built homes, primarily due to the loss
      of roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches,
      awnings, carports, and sheds. Some windows and garage doors may
      fail. Mobile homes damaged, some significantly if unanchored.
      Unsecured lightweight objects become projectiles.
    - Several large trees uprooted; some snapped. Some large roadway
      signs blown over.
    - A few primary and some secondary roads are impassible due to
      debris.
    - Scattered power and communication outages; some locally
      significant, lasting for days.

Also, prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across the Florida Panhandle and southeast Alabama.

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across the Florida Panhandle coastline. Potential impacts in
this area include:
    - Areas of inundation from storm surge flooding, compounded by
      higher waves. Non-elevated homes and businesses along the coast
      will be subject to flooding primarily on the ground floor.
    - Sections of coastal highways and access roads will be flooded
      with portions washed out, isolating affected coastal
      communities.
    - Moderate beach erosion with damage to the dune line.
    - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, and piers. Small craft not
      secured prior to the storm will break away from moorings.

Also, prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across Apalachee Bay and the Big Bend coastline.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across the
Florida Panhandle, southeast Alabama, and southwest Georgia. Potential
impacts include:
    - Isolated tornadoes are expected, resulting in a notable impact
      to affected communities.
    - Isolated areas affected by tornadoes will experience minor
      damage, including some damage to structures and sporadic power
      and communication outages.
    - A few structures will be damaged by tornadoes, mainly with loss
      of shingles or siding. Some mobile homes will be significantly
      damaged, especially those unanchored. Large trees will be
      snapped or uprooted.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE...FLORIDA BIG
BEND...SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA AND SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA. Potential
impacts include:
    - Localized heavy rainfall may result in flooding of low lying
      areas, necessitating basic precautions to protect vulnerable
      structures.
    - Rivers and associated tributary creeks and streams will rise
      and approach bankfull levels. Runoff will increase water levels
      in area holding ponds and drainage ditches, reducing storage
      capacity to absorb future rainfall.
    - Isolated flooding in low lying areas will make driving
      difficult. Ponding of water in low lying areas may result in
      brief road closures.

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
There is a high risk of rip currents along Florida Panhandle and Big
Bend Beaches through tonight.

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

Now is the time to review your emergency plan and finish up necessary
actions to secure your home or business. Deliberate to protect life and
property should be wrapped up this morning. Ensure that your Emergency
Supplies Kit is stocked and ready.

Visitors to the area should become familiar with nearby surroundings.
If you are a visitor, know the name of the county in which you are
located and where it is relative to current watches and warnings. If
staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their onsite
disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially pertaining to
area visitors.

Closely monitor NOAA Weather Radio or other local news outlets for
official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the
forecast.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- 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 as conditions warrant.

$$
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