Tropical Storm Warning Issued, Flood Watch for Tri-State Area

Residents in Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, North Walton, Central Walton, Holmes, Washington, Jackson, Inland Bay, Calhoun, Inland Gulf, Inland Franklin, Inland Wakulla, South Walton, Coastal Bay, Coastal Gulf, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Wakulla, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Dixie, Northern Liberty, and Southern Liberty counties are urged to finalize all preparations immediately as a Tropical Cyclone Local Statement has been issued by the NWS Tallahassee, FL at 5:58 AM EDT on October 8. Tropical Storm Warnings are now in effect for additional inland Florida Panhandle counties, including Central Walton, North Walton, Calhoun, Holmes, Inland Bay, Inland Franklin, Inland Gulf, Inland Wakulla, Jackson, Northern Liberty, Southern Liberty, and Washington.

A Flood Watch has also been issued for most of the tri-state area, effective from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening, due to expected rainfall of 3 to 7 inches, with isolated amounts up to 10 inches. This could lead to flash flooding and river flooding, especially given recent rainfall. Conditions are expected to deteriorate across the Florida Panhandle as early as Friday morning. A Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for coastal areas, with life-threatening inundation of 5 to 7 feet above normally dry ground forecast for parts of the coastal Panhandle. Tornadoes are also possible Friday into Saturday for the Florida Panhandle, Western Florida Big Bend, Southeast Alabama, and Southwest Georgia.

Actionable Information: Complete all preparations now. Follow any evacuation orders from local officials. If in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground; never drive through flooded roadways. If a Tornado Warning is issued, seek shelter quickly in an interior room away from windows. Monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio, or local news for official updates. Additional preparedness information can be found at ready.gov and redcross.org.