* WHAT. West winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 7 to 10 ft. * WHERE. Gulf waters from the Walton-Okaloosa County line to the Suwannee river out 60 nautical miles. * WHEN. Until 11 PM EDT /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. Southwest winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 5 to 8 ft. * WHERE. Gulf waters from the Walton-Okaloosa County line to the Suwannee river out 60 nautical miles. * WHEN. Until 11 PM EDT /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 CONTINUES TO MOVE FURTHER AWAY. RESIDUAL COASTAL FLOODING AND OTHER BEACH HAZARDS COTINUE. ** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - All watches and warnings have been canceled * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * STORM INFORMATION: - About 360 miles north-northeast of Panama City or about 380 miles north of Apalachicola - 35.1N 83.8W - Storm Intensity 45 mph - Movement North or 350 degrees at 32 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ At 11 AM EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Helene was located about 100 miles northeast. It is now moving to the north/north- northwest at 32 mph. Conditions have improved this morning as Helene as moved out. While tropical storm force winds are now out of our of the region, breezy conditions still will stick around through the rest of the morning and into early afternoon. Additionally, tides still are running high and minor coastal flooding could stick around across the Florida Panhandle and the northeast and eastern portions of the Apalachee Bay through this afternoon and early evening. 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 and/or death 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 ----------------- * OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS: Minor coastal flooding will be continue along much of the coast today. Large waves will be possible along the coast this afternoon. Dangerouns rip currents are expected through at least Saturday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: If your home or shelter was damaged, be alert to the smell of gas leaks and be cautious around electrical wiring, broken glass, jagged metal and wood, and protruding nails and screws. Do not attempt to return to evacuated areas until local authorities have inspected roads and bridges and have given the all clear. Hazards like downed power lines and trees, washed out roads, continued flooding in low lying areas and non-functioning traffic lights make travel difficult. Do not go sightseeing within impacted communities. Sightseers interfere with the emergency work of first responders. When clearing out fallen trees, be careful with chainsaws and axes. Always wear protective gear and keep others at a safe distance. Leaning trees and those which have fallen on roofs or power lines can be especially dangerous. If you are not in good health or unsure about what you are doing, have someone with tree cutting experience do the job. Never cut trees without a partner. If using a generator, avoid carbon monoxide poisoning by following instructions provided by the manufacturer. Operate your generator in a well-ventilated space outside of your living area and away from open doors and windows. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- As it pertains to this event. this will be the last local statement issued by the National Weather Service in Tallahassee FL regarding the effects of tropical cyclone hazards upon the area.

The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Florida. Sopchoppy River near Sopchoppy (FR 343) affecting Wakulla County. * WHAT. Moderate flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Sopchoppy River near Sopchoppy (FR 343). * WHEN. Until further notice. * IMPACTS. At 34.0 feet, Many low lying homes will be flooded or surrounded by water in the city of Sopchoppy. Numerous roads near the Sopchoppy River are flooded. The Painted Bridge is overtopped at this level. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 1:30 AM EDT Friday the stage was 30.7 feet. - Recent Activity. The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 1:30 AM EDT Friday was 30.7 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to rise to a crest of 33.2 feet this morning. - Flood stage is 28.0 feet. - Flood History. This crest compares to a previous crest of 32.9 feet on 04/01/1973. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee FL has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in Florida. Apalachicola River at Woodruff L&D affecting Liberty, Calhoun, Gadsden and Jackson Counties. * WHAT. Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Apalachicola River at Woodruff L&D. * WHEN. From this evening to early Sunday morning. * IMPACTS. At 65.0 feet, Water begins to flood landshore Road and Ocheesee Landing Road near the boat landing in Calhoun County. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 3:00 PM EDT Friday /2:00 PM CDT Friday/ the stage was 59.2 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to rise above flood stage late this evening to a crest of 65.1 feet just after midnight tonight. - Flood stage is 63.0 feet. - Flood History. This crest compares to a previous crest of 64.5 feet on 04/03/2016. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Florida. Sopchoppy River near Sopchoppy (FR 343) affecting Wakulla County. * WHAT. Moderate flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Sopchoppy River near Sopchoppy (FR 343). * WHEN. Until early Monday afternoon. * IMPACTS. At 34.0 feet, Many low lying homes will be flooded or surrounded by water in the city of Sopchoppy. Numerous roads near the Sopchoppy River are flooded. The Painted Bridge is overtopped at this level. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 3:30 PM EDT Friday the stage was 33.2 feet. - Forecast. The river is cresting now and is expected to fall below flood stage Monday morning and continue falling to 27.8 feet Monday afternoon. - Flood stage is 28.0 feet. - Flood History. This crest compares to a previous crest of 32.9 feet on 04/01/1973. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Florida. Ochlockonee River near Bloxham (SR 20) affecting Liberty, Leon and Wakulla Counties. * WHAT. Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Ochlockonee River near Bloxham (SR 20). * WHEN. From late tonight to Sunday afternoon. * IMPACTS. At 20.0 feet, Water begins to flood the backyards of homes at the end of Crooked Road in Leon County. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 11:15 AM EDT Friday the stage was 18.7 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to rise above flood stage just after midnight tonight to a crest of 20.4 feet early tomorrow afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage early Sunday morning. - Flood stage is 20.0 feet. - Flood History. This crest compares to a previous crest of 20.6 feet on 09/18/2020. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Florida. Ochlockonee River near Havana (US 27) affecting Leon and Gadsden Counties. * WHAT. Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Ochlockonee River near Havana (US 27). * WHEN. From Monday morning until further notice. * IMPACTS. At 28.0 feet, Water spreads out across the flood plain on both banks of the river further inundating wooded areas. The boat ramp at Iron Bridge Road (CR-153) in Gadsden County is flooded. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 11:15 AM EDT Friday the stage was 21.0 feet. - Forecast. The river will rise to 25.0 feet tomorrow morning. It will then fall to 24.5 feet early Sunday afternoon. It will rise above flood stage late Monday morning to 29.4 feet Tuesday evening. It will then fall again but remain above flood stage. - Flood stage is 26.0 feet. - Flood History. This crest compares to a previous crest of 29.5 feet on 04/07/1960. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Georgia. Ochlockonee River near Thomasville (US 84) affecting Thomas and Grady Counties. * WHAT. Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Ochlockonee River near Thomasville (US 84). * WHEN. Until Tuesday evening. * IMPACTS. At 21.0 feet, Egg and Butter Road North in Thomas County begins to flood about 1 mile south of Dusty Trail. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 11:45 AM EDT Friday the stage was 15.4 feet. - Recent Activity. The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 11:45 AM EDT Friday was 15.4 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to rise to a crest of 19.7 feet early Sunday morning. It will then fall below flood stage Tuesday morning. - Flood stage is 15.0 feet. - Flood History. This crest compares to a previous crest of 19.9 feet on 04/03/2016. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood