Weather Alert
This product covers eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia**HELENE TO MAKE LANDFALL AS A MAJOR HURRICANE ALONG THE BIG BEND
COAST THIS EVENING. PREPARATIONS SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND THOSE IN
THE FLORIDA BIG BEND AND SOUTH-CENTRAL GEORGIA SHOULD BE PREPARED
TO HUNKERED DOWN.**
NEW INFORMATION
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* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued and the Hurricane
Warning has been cancelled for Calhoun, Henry, Houston, and
Jackson
* 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, Clay, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Dougherty,
Early, Gadsden, Grady, Inland Franklin, Inland Gulf, Irwin,
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 Calhoun, Central
Walton, Coastal Bay, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Holmes,
Houston, Inland Bay, Jackson, North Walton, South Walton, and
Washington
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 150 miles south of St Marks or about 180 miles south of
Tallahassee
- 27.9N 84.6W
- Storm Intensity 125 mph
- Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 23 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
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At 5 PM EDT, the center of Hurricane Helene was located about 150 miles
south-southwest of Saint Marks, Florida. Helene is a Major Hurricane
and is forecast to continue strengthening as it moves north-northeast
towards the Florida Big Bend this evening. Helene will continue northward
through south Georgia tonight.
Any remaining preparations for Helene should be completed and everyone
in the Florida Big Bend and south-central Georgia should be prepared to
hunker down. Conditions will rapidly deteriorate this evening.
If there is an Extreme Wind Warning issued for your location, that
means the eye-wall is about to hit. Treat these warnings as if they
were tornado warnings and get to the interior most portion of your
home, putting as many walls between you and the outside, and stay away
from windows. Remain sheltered until the eye-wall passes.
Catastrophic impacts are expected across our region from high winds,
catastrophic and life-threatening storm surge on the coast of
Apalachee Bay, and considerable to catastrophic flash flooding from
heavy rainfall. A few tornadoes are possible as Helene moves through.
Helene is a large storm and will have a fast forward speed at
landfall, so impacts will penetrate far inland over Georgia.
Tropical-storm force winds extend hundreds of miles out from the
center.
Wind Threat: Helene will make landfall along the Florida Big Bend
coast this evening as a Major Hurricane. While exact impacts will be
heavily dependent on the 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 and large size of Helene,
significant wind damage will extend well north into Georgia.
Surge Threat: There is a danger of catastrophic and unsurvivable storm
surge for Apalachee Bay. Storm surge will continue to worsen
throughout the evening. This forecast is a nightmare surge scenario
for Apalachee Bay. Please take any evacuation orders seriously!
Flooding Rain Threat: Widespread heavy rainfall is expected, with
additional rainfall of 5 to 10 inches and local amounts to 15 inches
in the forecast. Flash flooding is expected, and considerable, to
potentially catastrophic, flash flooding is likely. Minor to moderate
riverine flooding is likely, although major flooding is possible.
Areas that experienced heavy rainfall last night will only make the
region more vulnerable to heavy rainfall today and tonight. 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 remains
in effect for the entire area.
Tornadoes: While not the highest threat with this system locally, a
few tornadoes will be possible ahead of and along and east of the
eventual track.
Conditions will improve on Friday.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across the Florida Big Bend and south-central Georgia.
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 limited
to extensive impacts across the rest of southwestern Georgia, southeastern
Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible catastrophic
impacts along the coast of Apalachee Bay. 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, Florida Big Bend,
southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is
anticipated.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
devastating impacts across the Florida Big Bend, eastern Panhandle,
Alabama Wiregrass, and Southwest 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
extensive impacts across the western Florida Panhandle.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across the Florida Big Bend and south-central Georgia, or
along and to the right of the center of Helene. 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
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* 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
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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.
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