Storm Surge Watch Issued for South Walton: Life-Threatening Flooding Possible

SOUTH WALTON, FL – A Storm Surge Watch has been issued for South Walton, including Santa Rosa Beach, Sandestin, and Freeport, effective October 7 at 2:09 PM EDT by the National Weather Service (NWS) Tallahassee. Residents in surge-prone areas should prepare for life-threatening storm surge flooding of greater than 6 feet above ground.

Evacuation preparations should be underway. Assemble disaster supplies and know your evacuation route. Leave immediately if evacuation orders are given for your area. Failure to heed evacuation orders may result in loss of life.

Tropical Storm force winds of 40-50 mph with gusts up to 65 mph are expected from Friday afternoon until Saturday morning. Efforts to protect life and property should be underway now. Complete preparations before winds become hazardous. Significant wind damage is possible, including damage to roofing, siding, and mobile homes, along with downed trees and power outages.

Major flooding from an additional 4-8 inches of rain is also anticipated, with local amounts potentially higher. Evacuations and rescues are likely. Heed all flood watches and warnings. The alert is effective until October 7, 2026, at 10:15 PM UTC.

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