Gulf Shores, Alabama

... Flash Flood Watch in effect from Monday afternoon through
Tuesday morning...

The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a

* Flash Flood Watch for portions of Alabama and northwest
Florida... including the following areas... in Alabama...
Butler... Clarke... Conecuh... Covington... Crenshaw... Escambia...
lower Baldwin... lower Mobile... Monroe... upper Baldwin... upper
Mobile and Wilcox. In northwest Florida... coastal Escambia...
coastal Okaloosa... coastal Santa Rosa... inland Escambia...
inland Okaloosa and inland Santa Rosa.

* From Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning

* a Flash Flood Watch has been issued for eastern and coastal areas
of southwest Alabama generally east of the I-65 corridor including
Clark County in Alabama and all areas of northwest Florida from
midday Monday through midday Tuesday... due to excessive rainfall
from Ida. Ida is expected to move onshore early Tuesday morning
near the Florida Alabama border bringing heavy Rand bands to the
coastal areas of Florida and Alabama by mid afternoon on Monday
spreading inland over northwest Florida and parts of southwest
Alabama overnight and early Tuesday morning. Rainfall totals of 3
to 6 inches with locally higher amounts can be expected in watch
area... especially over the western Florida Panhandle.


Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should flash flood warnings be issued.

829 am CST sun Nov 8 2009

... Coastal Flood Watch remains in effect from 6 PM CST this
evening through late Monday night...

A coastal Flood Watch remains in effect from 6 PM CST this
evening through late Monday night.

The combination of strong easterly winds combined with high tide
levels is expected to create tide levels of 2 to 3 feet above
normal. This will create total tide levels of 3 to 4 feet. If Ida
is stronger than currently forecast across the southern Gulf...
the increased swell would cause even higher tide levels than the
current forecast.

Residents living in flood prone areas along the coastal sections
of Mobile and Baldwin counties... including Mobile Bay... along
with coastal sections of northwest Florida should take necessary
precautions to protect life and property in case these high tide
levels are reached.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A coastal Flood Watch means that conditions favorable for
flooding are expected to develop. Coastal residents should be
alert for later statements or warnings... and take action to
protect property.

... Hurricane wind warning now in effect until 2 PM CST Tuesday...
... Hurricane Warning remains in effect...

... New information...
Hurricane Ida was about 375 miles south of Pensacola at 3 am CST.
Movement was north northwest near 16 mph. Surf will increase during
the day and a large battering surf is expected from sunset through
the overnight hours. Surf heights of 10 to 15 feet possible from Fort
Morgan Alabama to Destin Florida. Surf heights of 3 to 5 feet
expected along Dauphin Island Alabama.


... Precautionary/preparedness actions...
precautionary/preparedness actions...

For those under a Hurricane Warning... now is the time to complete
preparations for the protection of life and property. Listen
carefully to the advice of local emergency management and evacuate if
directed to do so... especially if you live in an area prone to
coastal flooding. If you live on a boat... make final preparations for
securing your craft before leaving it. Be sure to account for the
possible closure of bridges and causeways. Regarding any coastal
waters under a warning... small craft should remain in port and well
secured. For additional precautionary and preparedness
information... please refer to the detailed recommendations relative
to your location as further described by your local National Weather
Service office and local emergency management.


... Winds...
as Hurricane Ida approaches... sustained tropical storm force
winds are expected to begin around sunset today. Strongest winds
occurring late tonight when winds near hurricane force are possible
for a few hours minor to moderate damage is likely to many Mobile
homes... especially those that have canopies... awnings... or carports.
Other homes may have minor roof and siding damage. Some loose
outdoor items will be tossed around and may cause additional damage.
A few power lines will be knocked down resulting in scattered power
outages. Some large branches of healthy trees will be snapped.

... Inland flooding...
heaviest rainfall will be along and to the right of the
track... some 3 to 6 inches of rainfall could occur east of
I-65... especially closer to the coast. A Flash Flood Watch is in
effect for part of southwest Alabama and the western Florida
Panhandle.



... Storm surge and storm tide...
total tide heights of 4 to 6 feet are possible from Fort Morgan to
Destin. The time of astronomical high tide on Tuesday will range
from 2 to 3 am across the region. This will exacerbate storm related
flooding since ida's forecast landfall is near this time. If Ida
moves in earlier... the time of astronomical high tide may coincide
with landfall which could raise the aforementioned values.

Total tide heights will gradually lower from Fort Morgan to the
west..with Dauphin Island ranging from 2 to 4 feet... still high
enough to send some water across the west end of the island.
&&

... Coastal hazards...
surf will increase during the day and a large battering surf is
expected from sunset through the overnight hours. Surf heights of 10
to 15 feet possible from Fort Morgan Alabama to Destin Florida. Surf
heights of 3 to 5 feet expected along Dauphin Island Alabama. The rip
current risk will be extreme and people should stay out of the
water.


... Tornadoes...
the risk of tornadoes is low... but if tornadoes do occur they will
mainly form in ida's outer rain bands from late today into Tuesday.
Tornadoes are most likely to occur in the northeast quadrant of the
storm and can happen a few hundred miles from the storms center.

... Public information statement...

... Hurricanes and tropical storms... things to consider before...
during and after the storm...

It is important to know the difference between a tropical storm or
Hurricane Watch and a warning.

A watch means that a tropical storm or hurricane has become a threat
to coastal areas... and is usually issued 24 to 36 hours before
expected landfall. Everyone covered by a watch should listen for
current advisories... and act promptly if a warning is issued.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that winds of 39 to 73 mph... as well
as high and rough seas... are expected in a specific coastal area
within 24 hours.

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane force winds of 74 mph or
greater... as well as high and rough seas... are expected in a specific
coastal area within 24 hours.

Precautionary actions should begin immediately whenever a warning is
issued.

Before the storm...

Stay informed by monitoring the latest hurricane and tropical storm
advisories. Listen to radio and television reports... as well as NOAA
Weather Radio to get the latest advisory updates.

Listen carefully to local officials and evacuate the area if told to
do so. Leave low lying or coastal areas... as well as offshore
islands. These are the locations most prone to storm surge. The
storm surge is the most dangerous part of a hurricane or tropical
storm. The surge is a dome of water that comes across the coast as
the storm makes landfall. Water levels can range from 5... to as
much as 25 feet above normal sea level. Superimposed on this high
storm tide are large wind driven waves. Nine out of ten deaths
resulting from hurricanes have historically been the result of storm
surge. If you live close to the coast in a Mobile home you should
evacuate to a more substantial shelter... even if you are not in a
storm surge prone area.

If evacuation is not required or recommended... stay at home if your
house is sturdy and on High Ground. If your plans call for
evacuation... be prepared to go to shelters... to a nearby friends or
relatives home... or to cities well inland away from the storm. If
utilizing official shelters... learn their locations beforehand and
the most direct safe routes to get to the shelter.

Make sure you have the following supplies...

Obtain a portable... battery operated radio along with a fresh supply
of batteries. A radio will be one of your most useful sources of
information.

Obtain several flashlights with fresh batteries. Use of candles for
lighting is not recommended for safety reasons.

Have enough extra batteries to last for several days. There may be
no electricity after the storm.

Have a full tank of gasoline in your automobile. Never let your
vehicle Gas Tank be less than half full during a hurricane or
tropical storm threat. Electrically operated gas pumps may fail
during the storm.

Obtain canned goods and non perishable foods. Store packaged foods
which can be prepared without cooking and need no refrigeration... as
there may be no electricity or gas after the storm. Refill needed
prescription medications.

Obtain containers for drinking water. Have clean... air tight
containers to store a sufficient water supply for several days.
The city water supply will possibly be interrupted or contaminated.

Obtain materials for protecting glass openings. Have shutters or
lumber for protecting large windows and doors. Use masking tape
on small windows. Putting tape on glass windows or doors will not
prevent flying debris from breaking the glass... but will minimize the
spreading and shattering of glass if the window does break.

Have materials for emergency repairs. Your insurance policy may
cover the cost of materials used in temporary repairs... so keep all
receipts. These will also be helpful for any income tax deductions.

Moor your boat securely or move it to safe shelter. Secure outdoor
objects or bring them indoors. Bring pets indoors.

During the tropical storm or hurricane...

Stay indoors and away from windows and doors. Take Refuge in a small
interior room.

Beware of the eye of the storm. This calm center of the storm can be
deceptive due to its clearing sky and relatively calm winds. The
storms eye is bordered by winds and rains of maximum force that will
increase rapidly and from the opposite direction to the winds and
rains prior to the arrival of the eye. Minor emergency repairs may
be possible with the passage of the eye if necessary... but in general
one should not venture out of safe shelter into the eye of the
storm... as rapidly deteriorating conditions will follow.

After the storm has passed...

If you need to use an alternate source of electricity for your
home... be careful. Observe all safety precautions to avoid Carbon
monoxide poisoning... electrocution... or a fire. Portable generators
should only be operated outdoors in a dry and well ventilated area.
Never operate a portable generator indoors.

If you evacuated to a public shelter... remain there until you are
told that is safe to return home. Listen to your local radio or
television for advice and instructions from the local government
officials regarding food... housing... and other forms of assistance.

Do not drive unless necessary. The streets are likely to be filled
with debris and downed power lines. Roads should be primarily
reserved for emergency vehicles and essential Rescue and recovery
work.

Avoid loose or dangling wires and report them to your local
electric company as soon as possible. Report all broken or
damaged water... sewer... gas... and electrical lines.

Hurricanes moving inland can cause severe flooding due to heavy
rainfall. Stay away from river banks... creeks... or streams. When
driving... do not drive into areas where water covers the roadway...
the water may be too deep to safely navigate. Remember... live to
drive another day. Turn around... dont drown.

If you left your home for the storm... cautiously re-enter upon
returning after the storm has passed. Check for gas leaks... food
spoilage... water and wind damage.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Discuss hurricane preparedness with your family. Share your ideas
with friends... neighbors and relatives. Hurricane preparedness is
a job for everyone in the community.

For additional help or assistance on hurricane preparedness...
please contact your local emergency management agency or your local
National Weather Service office. It is best to formulate your
preparedness plan well in advance of a storm system... do not wait
until the last minute.

Note... for people who may have weather equipment at their homes or
businesses... please make sure your equipment is working properly.
After the storm has passed... please relay your highest observed wind
speed and direction... your lowest sea level pressure and rainfall
totals... and the times of occurrence of these parameters... to your
Mobile Weather Service office at 251-633-6443.