Advarsler, Carbur

Tropical Cyclone Statement issued September 25 at 5:24PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL HLSTAE This product covers eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia **HELENE FORECAST TO MAKE LANDFALL AS A MAJOR HURRICANE ALONG THE FLORIDA BIG BEND ON THURSDAY** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Tropical Storm Warning has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning for Henry and Houston - The Storm Surge Watch has been upgraded to a Storm Surge Warning for Coastal Gulf - A Storm Surge Warning has been issued for Inland Taylor * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Coastal Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Gulf, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Wakulla, Inland Dixie, Inland Jefferson, Inland Taylor, and Inland Wakulla - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Gadsden, Grady, Henry, Houston, Inland Franklin, Inland Gulf, Irwin, Jackson, Lafayette, Lanier, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Lowndes, Madison, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Central Walton, Coastal Bay, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Holmes, Inland Bay, North Walton, South Walton, and Washington * STORM INFORMATION: - About 510 miles south-southwest of Apalachicola or about 570 miles south-southwest of Tallahassee - 22.5N 86.6W - Storm Intensity 85 mph - Movement North or 355 degrees at 12 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Helene continues to strengthen in the southern Gulf of Mexico this evening. It is now forecast to rapidly intensify into a powerful Category 4 hurricane before making landfall along the Florida Big Bend on Thursday. Confidence is increasing for catastrophic impacts across our region including high winds, catastrophic and life-threatening storm surge in Apalachee Bay, flash flooding from heavy rainfall, and a few tornadoes. Helene is a large storm and impacts will extend well outside the cone of uncertainty. Preparations should be completed this evening, as conditions deteriorate during the day Thursday. Wind Threat: It is increasingly likely that Helene will make landfall along the FL Big Bend coast on Thursday as a Major Hurricane. While exact impacts will be heavily dependent on the eventual track, expect catastrophic wind damage across the Big Bend and into southern Georgia. Widespread and prolonged power outages, damage to critical infrastructure, catastrophic damage to the trees and powerlines, widespread inaccessibility due to blocked roads, and damage to well-built structures will all be likely, particularly close to and east of the track. Power outages will likely last days, if not weeks. Due to the quick forward speed of Helene, significant wind damage will likely extend well into Georgia. Surge Threat: There is a danger of catastrophic and unsurvivable storm surge for Apalachee Bay. Storm surge may begin to arrive as early as late Wednesday night ahead of the winds. This forecast, if realized, is a nightmare surge scenario for Apalachee Bay. Please, please, please take any evacuation orders seriously! Flooding Rain Threat: Widespread heavy rainfall is forecast with this system and will likely lead to both flash flooding and riverine flooding. Locally heavy rainfall continues to occur ahead of Helene today across portions of Florida and southeastern Alabama, perhaps enhancing the overall flooding threat on Thursday as Helene moves through the area. Even though the hurricane is forecast to be moving quickly, very high rainfall rates and already saturated soils will combine for a serious flood risk across the region. Be prepared for widespread flash flooding and quickly rising rivers and streams. A Flood Watch is in effect for the entire area. Tornadoes: While not the highest threat with this system, a few tornadoes will be possible along and east of the eventual track. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts across the Florida Big Bend, the eastern Florida Panhandle, Southwestern Georgia, and portions of Southeastern Alabama. Potential impacts in this area include: - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks or months. - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. - Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Widespread power and communications outages. Also, protect against life-threatening wind having possible significant to extensive impacts across the western Florida Panhandle and portions of southeastern Alabama. * SURGE: Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible catastrophic impacts across the coastal Florida Big Bend. Potential impacts in this area include: - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded from considerable floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible. - Massive damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Numerous small craft broken away from moorings with many lifted onshore and stranded. Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible devastating impacts across portions of the Florida Big Bend, eastern Florida Peninsula, and portions of Southwestern Georgia. Potential 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. Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible significant to extensive impacts across portions of the western Florida Panhandle, far eastern Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and portions of south-central Georgia. * TORNADOES: Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia. Potential 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. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible. Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather forecast before departing and drive with caution. If heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or have pets. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit. Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making. Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city in which you are staying and the name of the county in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities. Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed evacuation orders issued by the local authorities. Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown! If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options. If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. 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 11:30 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

Special Weather Statement issued September 25 at 5:17PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL At 517 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Belmont to near Crossroads to near Dowling Park to 7 miles east of Perry to 13 miles north of Steinhatchee. Movement was northwest at 30 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Locations impacted include... Mayo, Madison, Lake Park, Perry, Valdosta, Dasher, Greenville, Lee, Pinland, Ebb, Hamburg, Buckville, Pinetta, Eridu, Nankin, Clyattville, Foley, Salem, Hanson, and Perry-Foley Airport. If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.