Urgent Preparations: Hurricane Isaias Threatens Panhandle, Big Bend, SE Alabama, SW Georgia

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The National Weather Service (NWS) Tallahassee has issued a Tropical Cyclone Local Statement today, October 8, at 11:20 AM EDT, upgrading warnings and urging residents to complete all preparations immediately. Hurricane Isaias has strengthened to 85 mph and is moving east-northeast at 10 mph, now located about 520 miles south-southwest of Panama City.

A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Coastal Bay and South Walton. A Storm Surge Warning is also in effect for Coastal Dixie and Coastal Taylor. New Tropical Storm Warnings have been issued for Clay, Decatur, Early, Gadsden, Leon, Miller, and Seminole counties. Tropical Storm Watches are now in effect for Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Dougherty, Grady, Inland Jefferson, Lee, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Terrell, Thomas, and Worth counties.

Life-threatening storm surge of 5 to 7 feet is forecast for the coastal Panhandle to Indian Pass, 4 to 6 feet from Indian Pass to the Steinhatchee River, and 3 to 5 feet from the Steinhatchee River to Suwannee River. Preparations to protect life and property from storm surge and damaging winds must be rushed to completion today, as conditions could deteriorate as early as Friday morning. Heavy rainfall of 3 to 7 inches, with isolated amounts up to 15 inches, is expected, likely leading to flash flooding. A Flood Watch is in effect from Friday afternoon until Saturday evening for areas west of the I-75 corridor and Eastern FL Big Bend. An elevated chance for tornadoes exists across the Florida Panhandle and Western FL Big Bend on Friday into Saturday, and Southeast AL & Southwest GA late Friday into Saturday. The next update is expected around 5 PM EDT.