Extreme Storm Surge Warning for Coastal Gulf: Evacuate Immediately if Ordered

A Storm Surge Warning has been issued for the Coastal Gulf area, including Port Saint Joe and Cape San Blas, effective immediately as of October 8 at 8:01 AM EDT by the National Weather Service (NWS) Tallahassee. This is an extreme threat, and residents are urged to take immediate action.

Life-threatening storm surge flooding of greater than 6 feet above ground is possible. Evacuation efforts should be completed now before conditions become unsafe. If evacuation orders are given for your area, leave immediately to avoid being cut off from emergency services. This storm surge is expected to bring extensive impacts, including structural damage, washed-out roads, severe beach erosion, and significant damage to marinas.

Strong winds are also anticipated, with peak forecasts of 30-40 mph and gusts up to 50 mph. Preparations to protect property should be underway now. Potential impacts include damage to lightweight structures, broken tree limbs, and scattered power outages.

A Flood Watch is in effect, with additional rainfall of 3-6 inches expected, potentially leading to major flooding. Evacuations and rescues are likely. Heed all flood watches and warnings. The NWS also indicates a favorable situation for several tornadoes, some potentially intense. Listen for tornado watches and warnings and be prepared to shelter quickly if issued.

For more information, visit the NWS Tallahassee at weather.gov/tallahassee, the Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.org, or Gulf County Emergency Management at gulfcounty-fl.gov/county_government/emergency_management. This warning is set to expire on October 8, 2026, at 4:15 PM UTC.