Tropical Cyclone Local Statement

HLSMOB

This product covers portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi.

**HURRICANE HUNTERS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING ISAIAS**

**PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM STORM SURGE AND DAMAGING WINDS ALONG THE WARNING AREA OF THE GULF COAST SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION TODAY**

NEW INFORMATION ---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Baldwin Central, Baldwin Coastal, Escambia Coastal, Mobile Central, Mobile Coastal, Okaloosa Coastal, and Santa Rosa Coastal - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Baldwin Inland, Escambia Inland, Mobile Inland, Okaloosa Inland, and Santa Rosa Inland - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Conecuh, Covington, and Escambia - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Butler, Clarke, Crenshaw, George, Greene, Monroe, Washington, and Wilcox

* STORM INFORMATION: - About 540 miles south-southwest of Mobile AL or about 550 miles south-southwest of Pensacola FL - 23.3N 91.2W - Storm Intensity 80 mph - Movement East-northeast or 60 degrees at 9 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------

Tropical Storm Isaias has strengthened and should continue to intensify through Friday morning. Isaias is currently moving east- northeast and should eventually turn northward and accelerate towards the north central Gulf coast. As it nears the coast, wind fields will expand with the potential for significant wind impacts and a life threatening storm surge along and to the east of where the hurricane makes landfall. There still remains uncertainty with the eventual speed and track of the hurricane so everyone should continue to closely monitor the latest forecast over the next few days.

Areas of heavy rainfall and flooding are possible although with the fast speed of the hurricane at landfall we are currently expecting 3 to 7 inches with localized amounts up to 10 inches near the coast. In addition, a favorable environment for tornadoes will also develop to the east of the track as it moves inland Friday through Saturday.

Please continue to monitor the latest forecast updates and follow the advise of your local emergency management officials.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS -----------------

* SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible extensive impacts across the Alabama and western Florida panhandle coasts. Potential impacts in this area include: - Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Large sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss. - Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded.

* WIND: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts across across southwest and portions of south central Alabama and the western Florida panhandle. Potential impacts in this area include: - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed. Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks. - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. - Large areas with power and communications outages.

Also, protect against dangerous wind having possible limited to significant impacts across southeast Mississippi and the remainder of southwest Alabama.

* TORNADOES: Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across portions of coastal Alabama...northwest Florida...south central Alabama. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.

Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across interior southwest Alabama.

* FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across coastal Alabama and the western Florida panhandle. Potential impacts include: - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across interior areas of southwest and south central Alabama.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.

If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible. Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather forecast before departing and drive with caution.

Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.

Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed evacuation orders issued by the local authorities.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For the latest detailed evacuation and shelter information...please refer to your local emergency management agency at the phone number or website listed below. - Coastal Alabama: - Baldwin County: 251-972-6807 or www.baldwincountyal.gov/departments/EMA - Mobile County: 251-460-8000 or mobilecountyema.gov - Northwest Florida: - Escambia County: 850-471-6400 or myescambia.com/beready - Santa Rosa County: 850-983-5360 www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency - Okaloosa County: 850-651-7150 or myokaloosa.com/emergency-management - 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 Mobile AL around 10 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.