Extreme Storm Surge Warning for Coastal Taylor County: Act Now!

Coastal Taylor County residents, including those in Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee, are under an Extreme Storm Surge Warning issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) Tallahassee FL, effective immediately as of October 9 at 5:17 AM EDT. Life-threatening storm surge of 4-6 feet above ground is possible through Saturday morning. Flood preparations and ordered evacuations should be complete. Evacuees must be in shelters well away from storm surge flooding. Residents are advised to remain sheltered in a safe location and not venture outside.

A Flood Watch is also in effect, with an additional 3-6 inches of rain expected, potentially causing major flooding, evacuations, and rescues. Rivers, streams, and ditches may overflow, making driving conditions dangerous and leading to road closures. A significant tornado threat also exists, with the potential for several tornadoes. Be ready to shelter quickly if a tornado warning is issued. While wind speeds are expected to remain below tropical storm force (10-20 mph with gusts to 35 mph), conditions may still be gusty. Monitor local officials' instructions and emergency readiness plans. For more information, visit NWS Tallahassee at weather.gov/tallahassee, floridadisaster.org, or taylorcountyem.com.