Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Coastal Gulf; Immediate Action Required

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the Coastal Gulf area, specifically impacting Port Saint Joe and Cape San Blas, by the National Weather Service (NWS) Tallahassee, FL, effective immediately as of October 8 at 11:06 AM EDT. This severe warning requires immediate action from residents.

Expect equivalent Tropical Storm force winds of 30-40 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. Residents should complete all property protection efforts as soon as possible and move to safe shelter before hazardous winds begin. Potential impacts include damage to property, broken tree limbs, impassable roads due to debris, and scattered power outages. This wind threat is expected to cause limited damage.

Life-threatening storm surge is possible, with peak inundation potential of 4-7 feet above ground in surge-prone areas, from Friday morning until Saturday morning. If evacuation orders are given for your area, leave immediately to avoid being cut off from emergency services. This storm surge has the potential for extensive impacts, including structural damage, washed-out roads, severe beach erosion, and major damage to marinas.

A Flood Watch is in effect, with additional rainfall of 3-6 inches expected, leading to a potential for major flooding. Evacuations and rescues are likely. Heed all flood watches and warnings; failure to act will likely result in serious injury or loss of life. Extensive impacts from flooding rain include flooded structures, impassable roads, and bridge closures.

The situation is also favorable for several tornadoes, some potentially intense. Those in manufactured homes or on boats are urged to relocate to safe shelter. Listen for tornado watches and warnings and be ready to shelter quickly. Significant impacts from tornadoes include damage to homes, power and communication failures, and dangerous flying debris.

This warning is effective until October 8, 2026, at 7:15 PM UTC. For more information, visit the NWS Tallahassee at https://www.weather.gov/tallahassee, the Florida Division of Emergency Management at https://www.floridadisaster.org, and Gulf County Emergency Management at http://gulfcounty-fl.gov/county_government/emergency_management.