Wacissa, 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 Warning remains in effect...

... New information...
wind gusts to 35 mph have been reported along the Wakulla County
coast this morning. Tides have generally been running 1 to 2 feet
above normal... but this is expected to increase as the onshore
winds continue to push water into the head of Apalachee Bay and
the time of high tide approaches. Inundation of low lying areas is
likely later this morning as the time of high tide approaches.

... 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 gusts are possible mainly right along the
immediate coast early this morning before subsiding later today.

... Storm surge and storm tide...
a storm surge of 2 to 3 feet is possible in Apalachee Bay today.
This surge will add to the normal tide levels... creating above
normal tides. The main threat will come during high tide. The
following are the time of high tide at at Marks river entrance...

736 am EST Tuesday... and 913 PM EST Tuesday.

At these times low lying areas along the coast will be most
vulnerable... as storm tides may reach as high as 5 to 6 feet.
Remember... storm tide is the storm surge plus the actual tide.

... Inland flooding...
a Flood Watch is in effect through Tuesday evening. Storm total
rainfall from today through Wednesday will generally range from
2 to 4 inches. Some localized flooding is possible in low lying
and poor drainage areas... especially near creeks and streams.