* WHAT. West winds near 30 knots, decreasing to near 20 knots this afternoon. Seas 11 to 16 feet. * WHERE. Coastal waters from Mexico Beach to Okaloosa Walton County Line FL out 20 NM and Waters from Mexico Beach to Okaloosa Walton County Line FL from 20 to 60 NM. * WHEN. Until 10 PM CDT this evening. * IMPACTS. A Small Craft Advisory means that wind speeds of 20 to 33 knots, or seas of 7 feet or greater, are expected to produce hazardous conditions for small craft. These hazardous conditions may result in poor vessel handling and steering response, broaching, overturned dinghies and kayaks, slips and falls on slippery decks, rub damage along docks and seawalls, and dragging anchors.

* WHAT. West winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and seas 8 to 13 ft. * WHERE. Gulf waters from the Walton-Okaloosa County line to Apalachicola out 60 nautical miles. * WHEN. Until 10 PM CDT this evening. * IMPACTS. A Small Craft Advisory means that wind speeds of 20 to 33 knots, or seas of 7 feet or greater, are expected to produce hazardous conditions for small craft. These hazardous conditions may result in poor vessel handling and steering response, broaching, overturned dinghies and kayaks, slips and falls on slippery decks, rub damage along docks and seawalls, and dragging anchors.

HLSTAE This product covers eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia **TROPICAL STORM HELENE MOVING FURTHER AWAY. RESIDUAL STORM SURGE CONTINUES AROUND APALACHEE BAY.** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Coastal Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Wakulla, Colquitt, Cook, Dougherty, Inland Dixie, Inland Taylor, Irwin, Lafayette, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Mitchell, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Coastal Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Wakulla, Inland Dixie, Inland Jefferson, Inland Taylor, and Inland Wakulla * STORM INFORMATION: - About 270 miles north-northeast of Tallahassee or about 230 miles north of Valdosta - 34.2N 83.0W - Storm Intensity 60 mph - Movement North or 360 degrees at 30 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ At 8 AM EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Helene was located over northeast Georgia. It was quickly moving to the north at 30 mph. As Helene moves further away, conditions will continue to gradually improve through this morning and afternoon. Tropical storm force winds have finally exited our region this morning, and all tropical storm warnings have been discontinued. Breezy conditions this morning will gradually subside through the day and into tonight as Helene moves further away. Despite the decreasing winds, tides continue to run very high around Apalachee Bay. At 8 AM EDT, moderate to major flooding was still being observed along the coast. It will take until tonight for tides around Apalachee Bay to finally come out of flood. Further west, minor flooding was occurring along coastal Bay and Gulf Counties, and this will improve later this morning and early afternoon. Rainfall from Helene has ended, and new flash flooding is not expected. Ongoing flooding may take awhile to subside. Minor to moderate riverine flooding will emerge and continue for days to come. Please do not drive through flooded roadways and stay out of flood waters if at all possible. Flood waters may contain downed power lines, dangerous wildlife, and other hazards. The tornado threat has passed. With widespread power outages across the region, please exercise caution with cleanup efforts and use generators responsibly. Carbon monoxide poisoning can result from generator misuse. Please do not return to evacuated areas until cleared by local officials to do so. First responders are working as hard as they can to respond and restore services quickly and safely, and returning too early may hinder their efforts. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * SURGE: Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across Apalachee Bay. Remain well away from life-threatening surge having ongoing devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded from considerable floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible. - Massive damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Numerous small craft broken away from moorings with many lifted onshore and stranded. 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: 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 11 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

HLSTAE This product covers eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia **TROPICAL STORM HELENE MOVING AWAY THROUGH EAST-CENTRAL GEORGIA. RESIDUAL STORM SURGE CONTINUES AROUND APALACHEE BAY.** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning have been cancelled for Coastal Gulf - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued and the Hurricane Warning has been cancelled for Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Coastal Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Wakulla, Colquitt, Cook, Dougherty, Inland Dixie, Inland Taylor, Irwin, Lafayette, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Mitchell, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth - The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled for Calhoun, Clay, Decatur, Early, Gadsden, Grady, Inland Franklin, Inland Gulf, Inland Jefferson, Inland Wakulla, Leon, Liberty, Miller, Quitman, Randolph, and Seminole - The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for Calhoun, Central Walton, Coastal Bay, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Holmes, Houston, Inland Bay, Jackson, North Walton, South Walton, and Washington * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Coastal Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Wakulla, Inland Dixie, and Inland Taylor - A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Inland Jefferson and Inland Wakulla - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Dougherty, Irwin, Lafayette, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Mitchell, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth * STORM INFORMATION: - About 140 miles north of Valdosta - 32.8N 83.0W - Storm Intensity 70 mph - Movement North or 360 degrees at 30 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ At 5 AM EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Helene was located 140 miles north of Valdosta. It was quickly moving to the north at 30 mph. As Helene quickly exits our region, conditions will gradually improve through this morning and afternoon. Tropical storm force winds will continue for a few more hours this morning over parts of South Georgia and the eastern Big Bend of Florida. Despite the decreasing winds, tides continue to run very high around Apalachee Bay. At 5 AM EDT, major flooding was still being observed along the coasts of Taylor and Dixie Counties. Moderate flooding was observed along the coasts of Franklin, Wakulla, and Jefferson Counties. It will take until tonight for tides around Apalachee Bay to come out of flood. Further west, minor flooding was occurring along coastal Bay and Gulf Counties, and this will improve late this morning. New flash flooding is not expected. Minor to moderate riverine flooding will emerge and continue for days to come. The tornado threat has passed. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * SURGE: Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding along the shore of Apalachee Bay. Remain well away from life-threatening surge having additional devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded from considerable floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible. - Massive damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Numerous small craft broken away from moorings with many lifted onshore and stranded. 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 South Georgia and the eastern Big Bend of Florida. Remain well sheltered from dangerous wind having possible additional significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles. - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines. 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. If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic rise in water levels. * 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 12 Noon EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

* WHAT. West winds 20 to 30 kt and seas 11 to 16 ft. * WHERE. Eastern Choctawhatchee Bay, Coastal waters from Okaloosa Walton County Line FL to Pensacola FL out 20 NM, Waters from Pensacola FL to Pascagoula MS from 20 to 60 NM and Waters from Okaloosa Walton County Line FL to Pensacola FL from 20 to 60 NM. * WHEN. Until 7 PM CDT this evening. * IMPACTS. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.