Panama City Beach, Florida

... The Flood Watch remains in effect through this evening...

The Flood Watch continues for

* portions of southeast Alabama... Florida and Georgia...
including the following areas... in southeast Alabama...
Coffee... Dale... Geneva... Henry and Houston. In Florida... Bay...
Calhoun... coastal Walton... Franklin... Gadsden... Gulf...
Holmes... inland Walton... Jackson... Jefferson... Leon...
Liberty... Wakulla and Washington. In Georgia... Baker...
Decatur... early... Grady... Miller... Mitchell... Seminole and
Thomas.

* Through this evening

* Tropical Storm Ida is forecast to move ashore across the
northern Gulf Coast early this morning. Even though Ida is
expected to gradually weaken and begin transitioning into a non-
tropical low pressure system today... there will still be bands
of moderate to heavy rainfall that will affect portions of the
region... mainly over northern and western parts of the area.
Maximum storm total rainfall amounts will generally be in the 2
to 4 inch range before coming to an end tonight with isolated
higher amounts of up to 5 inches possible. Although these totals
are not expected to exceed flash flood guidance... minor flooding
of low lying and poor drainage areas can be expected.


Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on
current forecasts.

Please monitor later forecasts and be alert for potential flood
warnings or advisories if they are needed. Those living in areas
prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should
flooding develop. Flooded roads can be especially dangerous to
motorists... as it can be difficult to see how deep standing water
is on roadways. This danger is enhanced at nighttime.

... Tropical Storm Wind Warning now in effect until 7 PM EST this
evening for areas away from the immediate coast...
... Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for areas along the
immediate coast...

... New information...
tropical storm force wind gusts continue to be reported along the
Florida Panhandle coast this morning. At 140 am CST... Tyndall
Air Force base reported a wind gust to 48 mph. Slightly lower wind
gusts have been reported in Panama City and along the Walton
County coast. Tide gages in the area continue to show high water
levels along the coast with minor inundation of low lying areas
along the coast likely.

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

The most significant threat from Ida continues to be along the
coast in the form of above normal tides and high surf. Residents
living in or travelling near the coast this morning should be
alert for flooded areas. If you come upon a Road that is flooded
by sea water... do not attempt to cross... the water depth may be
too great for your car to pass safely. In addition to the threat
for coastal flooding... gusts to tropical storm force will be
possible throughout the morning hours. Thus... keep light weight
outdoor objects secured until the storm passes.


... Winds...
tropical storm force winds... mainly in gusts will continue this
morning and likely subside later today as Ida further weakens.
Winds up to 50 mph will be possible in the strongest gusts.

... Storm surge and storm tide...
a storm surge of 2 to 4 feet is possible along the Panhandle coast
this morning and into the afternoon. This surge will add to the
normal tide levels... creating above normal tides. The high tide at
Panama City has already occurred for Tuesday. However... even though
the tide will be decreasing through the remainder of the day... the
difference between the high and low tide amplitudes for today is
quite low. Thus... the potential exists for a long period of
inundation of low lying areas until the onshore winds subside.

Low lying areas along the coast will be most vulnerable as storm
tides may reach 3 to 5 feet. Remember... storm tide is the storm
surge plus the actual tide.

In addition to above normal tides... high surf... and strong rip
currents are expected. The surf at Panama City will likely
approach 7 to 10 feet today. Higher surf is possible especially
in Western Bay and Walton counties. This could cause significant
beach erosion and possibly flooding of low lying areas and roads.

... Inland flooding...
a Flood Watch is in effect through Tuesday evening. Storm total
rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is expected along the path of Ida with
locally heavier amounts possible. This could cause minor flooding
in urban areas.

... Tornadoes...
a feeder band associated with the outer fringes of Ida has
developed early this morning. As this band lifts northward across
the Florida Panhandle coast there is a low tornado potential as
the convective elements of this band move ashore.