* WHAT. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall due to a tropical system. * WHERE. Portions of southeast Alabama, including the following areas, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston, Florida, including the following areas, Calhoun, Central Walton, Coastal Bay, Coastal Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Gulf, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Wakulla, Gadsden, Holmes, Inland Bay, Inland Dixie, Inland Franklin, Inland Gulf, Inland Jefferson, Inland Taylor, Inland Wakulla, Jackson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, North Walton, South Walton and Washington, and Georgia, including the following areas, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Irwin, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner and Worth. * WHEN. From Wednesday evening through Friday morning. * IMPACTS. Excessive rainfall due to a tropical system will likely result in areas of flash flooding some of which could be locally considerable across portions of the watch area. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - As Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine approaches the forecast area later this week, widespread moderate to heavy rain is expected across southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend. The current forecast calls for 3 to 6 inches of rain likely across the area with localized totals as high as 10 inches possible across portions of the Florida Big Bend. This could lead to some flash flooding, some of which could be locally considerable. Antecedent conditions are rather wet along and west of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River system. Farther east, rainfall has generally been near or below normal. Given the saturated soils over the western areas, these areas may be more susceptible to flash flooding. Urban and poor drainage areas would also be susceptible. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* WHAT. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE. Portions of southeast Alabama, including the following areas, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston, Florida, including the following areas, Calhoun, Central Walton, Coastal Bay, Coastal Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Gulf, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Wakulla, Gadsden, Holmes, Inland Bay, Inland Dixie, Inland Franklin, Inland Gulf, Inland Jefferson, Inland Taylor, Inland Wakulla, Jackson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, North Walton, South Walton and Washington, and Georgia, including the following areas, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Irwin, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner and Worth. * WHEN. Through Friday morning. * IMPACTS. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - Pockets of heavy rain are expected today, unrelated to Tropical Storm Helene. As Helene approaches the Big Bend coast late Thursday as a major hurricane, additional and widespread moderate to heavy rain is expected across southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend. The current forecast through Friday calls for 5 to 10 inches of rain likely across the area with localized totals as high as 15 inches possible across portions of the Florida Big Bend. This could lead to some flash flooding, some of which could be considerable. Antecedent conditions are rather wet along and west of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River system. Farther east, rainfall has generally been near or below normal. Given the saturated soils over the western areas, these areas may be more susceptible to flash flooding. Urban and poor drainage areas would also be susceptible. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* WHAT. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE. Portions of southeast Alabama, including the following areas, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston, Florida, including the following areas, Calhoun, Central Walton, Coastal Bay, Coastal Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Gulf, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Wakulla, Gadsden, Holmes, Inland Bay, Inland Dixie, Inland Franklin, Inland Gulf, Inland Jefferson, Inland Taylor, Inland Wakulla, Jackson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, North Walton, South Walton and Washington, and Georgia, including the following areas, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Irwin, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner and Worth. * WHEN. Through Friday morning. * IMPACTS. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - Hurricane Helene will bring an additional 5 to 10 inches of rain, with local amounts to near 15 inches, on top of the 4 to 8 inches some locations already picked up late last night and early this morning. Heaviest amounts are expected from the Forgotten Coast near Apalachicola northward. Flash flooding should be expected, some of which is likely to be considerable, potentially catastrophic. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

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 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 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.