Hurricane Local Statement
This product covers EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE...FLORIDA BIG BEND...SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA AND SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA
Powerful Hurricane Michael remains a serious threat over southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia! Hurricane force winds are likely across southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia as the center of Michael passes through these areas. This will cause numerous power outages due to falling trees and powerlines. Trees falling on homes will become a dangerous and potentially deadly situation! Now is the time to shelter in place in an interior room away from windows at the lowest level possible.
Elsewhere, where winds and rain have started to diminished, the threat is not over! Tropical storm force wind gusts are likely to continue for the next several hours. Remain in a safe place and do not try to enter evacuated areas until officials have given the all clear to return.
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien,
Brooks, Calhoun, Calhoun, Central Walton, Clay, Colquitt, Cook,
Dale, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Gadsden, Geneva, Grady, Henry,
Holmes, Houston, Inland Bay, Inland Jefferson, Irwin, Jackson,
Lee, Leon, Liberty, Miller, Mitchell, North Walton, Quitman,
Randolph, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Washington,
and Worth
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Coffee, Inland Dixie,
Inland Taylor, Lafayette, Lanier, Lowndes, and Madison
- A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
Coastal Bay, Coastal Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Gulf,
Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Wakulla, Inland
Franklin, Inland Gulf, Inland Wakulla, and South Walton
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 30 miles southeast of DOTHAN or about 110 miles west of
VALDOSTA
- 30.9N 85.1W
- Storm Intensity 125 mph
- Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 16 mph
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
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* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
southeastern Alabama and southeastern Georgia. 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. Several bridges, causeways, and
access routes impassable.
- Large areas with power and communications outages.
Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across the Florida Panhandle and the Big Bend. Remain well sheltered
from dangerous wind having additional limited to significant impacts.
* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend coastline. Remain well away from
life- threatening surge having additional 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.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia. Remain well guarded
against life- threatening flood waters having additional extensive
impacts. If realized, these 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.
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend. Remain well guarded against
dangerous flood waters having possible limited impacts.
* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across southeast
Alabama and southwest Georgia. Remain well braced against a dangerous
tornado event having possible significant impacts. If realized, these
impacts include:
- The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution
of emergency plans during tropical events.
- Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots
of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
- Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile
homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or
uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about.
Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.
Elsewhere across EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE...FLORIDA BIG
BEND...little to no impact is anticipated.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
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* EVACUATIONS:
Remain in a safe place. Do not enter evacuated areas until officials
have given the all clear to return.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
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.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
NEXT UPDATE
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The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Tallahassee FL around 12 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.