Tropical Cyclone Local Statement

HLSTAE

This product covers eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia

**BERTHA MOVING FURTHER AWAY FROM THE EASTERN PANHANDLE**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Coastal Bay and South Walton

* STORM INFORMATION: - About 130 miles west-southwest of Panama City - 29.4N 87.7W - Storm Intensity 60 mph - Movement West or 270 degrees at 6 mph

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

...IMPROVING CONDITIONS EXPECTED ON WEDNESDAY AS TROPICAL STORM BERTHA MOVES AWAY FROM THE REGION...

At 10 PM CDT Tuesday, the center of Tropical Storm Bertha was located about 130 miles west-southwest of Panama City. Bertha was moving to the west at 6 mph, and a generally westward movement away from the region will continue on Wednesday and Thursday. Maximum sustained winds were near 60 mph.

As Bertha moves further and further from the eastern Panhandle, weather conditions along the coast will slowly improve on Wednesday. Gusty squalls will diminish after Wednesday morning, and sustained winds will decrease throughout the day.

Ocean and surf conditions will be slower to improve. Minor coastal flooding remains a concern through Wednesday morning. Very rough surf will continue into Thursday morning. Substantial improvement in seas over the open Gulf will finally get underway on Thursday. At the beaches, life-threatening rip currents will continue through Friday. Beachgoers should heed the advice of beach flags and plan to stay out of the water.

Minor coastal flooding is possible during the high tide cycle Wednesday morning along the coast of Apalachee Bay west of the Aucilla River and along the Florida Panhandle coast. 1 to 3 feet of inundation over normally dry ground near the shoreline is expected around the time of high tide. No additional coastal flooding is expected after the Wednesday morning high tide cycle.

Brief downpours through Wednesday may cause short-lived nuisance flooding and ponding of water on roads.

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

* SURGE: Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across the coastal Florida Panhandle and Apalachee Bay. Remain well away from locally hazardous surge having additional limited impacts. If realized, these impacts 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.

* WIND: Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across the Florida Panhandle. Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having possible limited impacts. If realized, these impacts 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.

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

* EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-ins.

Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or videos.

* 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 4 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.