SMWTAE The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a * Special Marine Warning for... Apalachee Bay or Coastal Waters From Keaton Beach to Ochlockonee River Fl out to 20 Nm... Coastal Waters From Ochlockonee River to Apalachicola FL out to 20 Nm... Coastal Waters from Mexico Beach to Apalachicola out 20 NM... Coastal waters from Suwannee River to Keaton Beach out 20 NM... Waters from Suwannee River to Apalachicola FL from 20 to 60 NM... * Until 645 AM EDT/545 AM CDT/. * At 442 AM EDT/342 AM CDT/, severe thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts were located along a line extending from 10 nm southwest of Apalachicola to 18 nm north of K Tower to near Marker 24 Barge to 11 nm east of Buckeye Reef, moving northwest at 25 knots. HAZARD...Waterspouts and wind gusts 34 knots or greater. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Waterspouts can quickly form and capsize boats...damage vessels...and create suddenly higher waves. Make sure all on board are in a secure location and wearing life jackets. Expect wind gusts in excess of 34 knots...suddenly higher waves...frequent lightning...and heavy downpours. Make sure all on board are wearing life jackets. * Locations impacted include... Buckeye Reef, O Tower, K Tower, Port St. Joe, V Tower, Horseshoe Beach, Apalachicola, C Tower, Cape San Blas, St George Island, Marker 24 Barge, and Mexico Beach.

HLSTAE This product covers eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia **TROPICAL DEPRESSION TWO MOVING SLOWLY NORTH-NORTHWESTWARD** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Coastal Bay, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Gulf, and South Walton * STORM INFORMATION: - About 150 miles south-southeast of Panama City or about 120 miles south of Apalachicola - 28.0N 85.1W - Storm Intensity 30 mph - Movement North-northwest or 335 degrees at 3 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ ...TROPICAL DEPRESSION TWO CONTINUES TO DRIFT OVER THE EASTERN GULF... At 11 PM EDT, Tropical Depression Two was located 120 miles south of Apalachicola and moving NW at 3 mph. Tropical Depression Two is expected to continue moving northwestward over the next day before turning more westward. At this time, the center of the tropical depression is expected to remain offshore. The primary impacts to the local area will be hazardous beach conditions from rip currents and rough surf, dangerous marine conditions from large waves and strong winds, gusty winds in squalls across coastal areas, and locally heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding. Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are possible over the next 3 days, especially along and south of I-10. A Storm Surge of 1 to 3 feet above ground level will be possible at times of high tide along the coast of Apalachee Bay. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia. Potential impacts include: - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots. - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures. * WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across coastal areas of the western Florida Big Bend and Florida Panhandle. Potential impacts in this area include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * SURGE: Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across coastal areas of the western Florida Big Bend and Florida Panhandle. Potential impacts in this area include: - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * TORNADOES: Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business. When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm. If you are a visitor, know the name of the county in which you are located and where it is relative to current watches and warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially pertaining to area visitors. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Tallahassee FL around 6 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.