Tropical Cyclone Local Statement

HLSMOB

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

**TROPICAL STORM BERTHA WILL BRING COASTAL AND OFFSHORE IMPACTS THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baldwin Central, Baldwin Coastal, Escambia Coastal, Mobile Central, Mobile Coastal, Okaloosa Coastal, and Santa Rosa Coastal

* STORM INFORMATION: - About 100 miles south-southeast of Mobile AL or about 80 miles south of Pensacola FL - 29.4N 87.2W - Storm Intensity 60 mph - Movement Northwest or 305 degrees at 6 mph

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

Tropical Storm Bertha continues to slowly move westward this afternoon. A general west-northwest to west motion is expected through tonight with the center of Bertha moving across our offshore gulf waters this evening into Wednesday morning. The storm will move further west and out of the local area during the day on Wednesday. Primary impacts from Bertha remain focused near the coastline and over the Gulf waters.

Dangerous surf and beach conditions are expected. A high risk of deadly rip currents is in effect through much of the week. A High Surf Warning remains in effect due to surf building to 8 to 11 feet along the Gulf beaches, reaching peak heights late tonight into early Wednesday morning. These large breaking waves will result in minor beach erosion, along with flooding of vulnerable areas of the west end of Dauphin Island and the Ft. Pickens area of Gulf Islands National Seashore.

A Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect for the Alabama coast and coastal Escambia County, Florida for inundation of 1 to 3 feet during high tide Wednesday morning and possibly again Thursday morning.

Due to the sheared nature of the storm, most of the heavy rainfall will remain well south across the open Gulf. However, locally heavy rainfall cannot be ruled out in any rainbands that approach the coast.

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

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS: Dangerous surf and beach conditions are expected. A high risk of deadly rip currents continues through much of the week. Surf builds to 8-11 feet tonight through Wednesday.

* SURGE: Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across coastal Alabama and coastal Florida. 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 portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi., little to no impact is anticipated.

* WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across the immediate coastal areas of Alabama and the western 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 portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi., little to no impact is anticipated.

* FLOODING RAIN: Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across coastal Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle. Potential impacts include: - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, 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.

Elsewhere across portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi., little to no impact is anticipated.

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

* EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete preparations in accordance with your emergency plan.

If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in which you are staying and the name of the county in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from 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 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.