Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Northern Liberty County

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Northern Liberty County, affecting the communities of Hosford and Bristol, by the National Weather Service (NWS) Tallahassee FL. This warning, issued today, October 9, at 11:05 AM EDT, is effective until 7:15 PM UTC.

Residents in affected areas should immediately complete preparations for hazardous winds, potential major flooding, and the possibility of numerous tornadoes. Wind gusts up to 35 mph are expected, with a potential for sustained winds of 39 to 57 mph. Efforts to protect property should be underway now to mitigate limited damage to porches, awnings, and unanchored mobile homes. Expect broken tree limbs and scattered power outages.

A Flood Watch is in effect, with an additional 3-6 inches of rain anticipated, leading to a potential for major flooding. Emergency plans should account for possible evacuations and rescues. Heed all flood watches and warnings; failure to act could result in serious injury or loss of life. Rivers and tributaries may overflow, and flood waters could enter structures.

The NWS also indicates a very favorable situation for tornadoes, with the potential for many, some possibly intense. Those in manufactured homes or on boats should relocate to safe shelter. Listen for tornado watches and warnings, and be ready to shelter quickly if a warning is issued. This tornado threat has increased from previous assessments.

For more information, visit NWS Tallahassee or Florida Division of Emergency Management.