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HLSTAE This product covers eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia **AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTERS FIND BERTHA HAS STRENGTHENED** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Coastal Bay and South Walton * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Coastal Bay and South Walton * STORM INFORMATION: - About 70 miles south-southwest of Panama City or about 80 miles west-southwest of Apalachicola - 29.3N 86.3W - Storm Intensity 60 mph - Movement North-northwest or 345 degrees at 3 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ ...TROPICAL STORM WATCH UPGRADED TO WARNING FOR COASTAL WALTON AND COASTAL BAY COUNTIES... Bertha has jogged a bit to the north since the last advisory but is expected to begin a northwest to west-northwest motion this afternoon followed by a turn westward around Wednesday. On this forecast track, the core of Tropical Storm Bertha is expected to remain offshore as it passes south of the Panhandle. As of 10 AM CDT, maximum sustained winds were near 60 mph, and forward motion was to the north-northwest at 3 mph. Those strongest winds will remain offshore, but peripheral impacts around the edge of Bertha will be experienced in coastal communities through Wednesday morning. Impacts include dangerous beach conditions from rip currents and very rough surf, minor coastal flooding, dangerous marine conditions from large waves and strong winds, and gusty winds in squalls. Storm Surge along the coast of Apalachee Bay west of the Aucilla River will bring 1 to 3 feet of inundation over normally dry ground near the shoreline during times of high tide through Wednesday morning. West of Indian Pass, including the coasts of Gulf, Bay, and Walton Counties, storm surge inundation of 1 to 2 feet is expected over normally dry ground near the shoreline during times of high tide through Wednesday morning. Locally heavy rainfall is expected along and south of I-10 in Florida. Isolated flash flooding is possible. Rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches, with isolated spots near 5 inches, are possible through Wednesday. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across the Panhandle coast. Potential impacts in this area include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * 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 rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots. - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures. * SURGE: Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend coasts. Potential impacts in this area 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. Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * TORNADOES: Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia. 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. 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. 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 4 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.
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