Mobile, AL Severe Weather Alertstar_ratehome

This product covers portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south
central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi.

**TROPICAL STORM BERTHA WILL BRING COASTAL AND OFFSHORE IMPACTS LATER
TODAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING**

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- The Storm Surge Watch has been cancelled for Baldwin Coastal
and Mobile Coastal
- The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
Warning for Escambia Coastal, Okaloosa Coastal, and Santa Rosa
Coastal

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baldwin Central,
Baldwin Coastal, Escambia Coastal, Mobile Central, Mobile
Coastal, Okaloosa Coastal, and Santa Rosa Coastal

* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 140 miles southeast of Mobile AL or about 100 miles
south-southeast of Pensacola FL
- 29.3N 86.3W
- Storm Intensity 60 mph
- Movement North-northwest or 345 degrees at 3 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Tropical Storm Bertha continues to move very slowly to the northwest.
A general northwest to west- northwest motion is expected today into
tonight with the center of Bertha moving into the offshore Gulf waters
of northwest Florida and Alabama this afternoon and into tonight. The
storm will move further west and out of the local area during the day
on Wednesday. While some slight strengthening is possible over the next
12 hours, Bertha is likely to weaken some on its closest approach to
the local area. Primary impacts from Bertha remain focused near the
coastline and over the Gulf waters.

Dangerous surf and beach conditions are expected. A high risk of
deadly rip currents is in effect through much of the week. A High Surf
Warning remains in effect due to surf building to 8 to 11 feet along
the Gulf beaches, reaching peak heights tonight into early Wednesday
morning. These large breaking waves will result in minor beach erosion,
along with flooding of vulnerable areas of the west end of Dauphin
Island and the Ft. Pickens area of Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Coastal Flood Warnings are now in effect for the Alabama coast and
portions of the northwest FL coast. Coastal flooding will bring 1 to 3
feet of inundation along the Alabama and Florida coasts, coinciding
with high tide Wednesday morning.

Due to the sheared nature of the storm, most of the heavy rainfall
will remain well south across the open Gulf. However, locally heavy
rainfall cannot be ruled out in any rainbands that approach the coast.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
Dangerous surf and beach conditions are expected. A high risk of deadly
rip currents continues through much of the week. Surf builds to 8-11 feet
tonight through Wednesday.

* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across coastal Alabama and coastal Florida. Potential impacts in
this area include:
- Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
- Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
surge water covers the road.
- Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
- Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.

Elsewhere across portions of southwest Alabama...south central
Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi., little to no impact is
anticipated.

* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
the immediate coastal areas of Alabama and the western Florida
Panhandle. Potential impacts in this area include:
- Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
- Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
- A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
bridges and other elevated roadways.
- Scattered power and communications outages.

Elsewhere across portions of southwest Alabama...northwest
Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi.,
little to no impact is anticipated.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across coastal Alabama and the western Florida
Panhandle. Potential impacts include:
- Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations.
- Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents.
Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen
and overflow in spots.
- Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually
vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water
occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become
near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge
closures.

Elsewhere across portions of southwest Alabama...northwest
Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi.,
little to no impact is anticipated.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to complete preparations in accordance with your
emergency plan.

If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in
which you are staying and the name of the county in which it resides.
Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for
instructions from local authorities.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For the latest detailed evacuation and shelter information...please
refer to your local emergency management agency at the phone number
or website listed below.
- Coastal Alabama:
- Baldwin County: 251-972-6807 or
www.baldwincountyal.gov/departments/EMA
- Mobile County: 251-460-8000 or mobilecountyema.gov
- Northwest Florida:
- Escambia County: 850-471-6400 or myescambia.com/beready
- Santa Rosa County: 850-983-5360 www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency
- Okaloosa County: 850-651-7150 or myokaloosa.com/emergency-management
- 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 Mobile AL around 4 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM CDT THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Minor coastal flooding expected.

* WHERE...Mobile Central and Baldwin Central Counties.

* WHEN...Until 10 AM CDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Flooding of lots, parks, and roads with only isolated
road closures expected.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be
closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of
unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone
property.

&&

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 kt with gusts up to 55 kt and
seas 9 to 14 ft.

* WHERE...Portions of the coastal waters of Alabama and
northwest Florida.

* WHEN...Tropical Storm force winds possible until early
Wednesday morning.

* IMPACTS...Tropical storm force winds and hazardous seas will
capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions.
Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the
vessel for hazardous conditions.

&&

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT...

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
- Mobile
- Prichard
- Theodore

* WIND
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind
- Peak Wind Forecast: 10-15 mph with gusts to 25 mph

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Wind less than 39 mph
- The wind threat has decreased from the previous assessment.
- PLAN: The sustained wind should remain less than tropical
storm force. Conditions may still be gusty.
- PREPARE: Listen for any instructions from local officials.
- ACT: Ensure emergency readiness should the forecast change.

- REALIZED IMPACTS: Being Assessed
- Little to no additional wind impacts expected. Community
officials are now assessing the extent of actual wind
impacts accordingly.

* STORM SURGE
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Localized storm surge possible
- Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for 1-3 feet
above ground somewhere within surge prone areas
- Window of concern: Wednesday morning until Thursday morning

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for storm
surge flooding greater than 1 foot above ground
- The storm surge threat has remained nearly steady from the
previous assessment.
- PLAN: Plan for storm surge flooding greater than 1 foot
above ground.
- PREPARE: Complete preparations for storm surge flooding,
especially in low-lying vulnerable areas, before conditions
become unsafe.
- ACT: Leave immediately if evacuation orders are given for
your area.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited
- Localized inundation affecting areas such as from the Dog
River up through the Mobile River and tributaries,
including downtown Mobile.
- Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become
overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous
in places where surge water covers the road.
- Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks,
boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from
moorings.

* FLOODING RAIN
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
- Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional around 1 inch

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for
localized flooding rain
- The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from
the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for
localized flooding from heavy rain.
- PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area
vulnerable to flooding.
- ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited
- Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations.
- Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter
currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may
become swollen and overflow in spots.
- Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in
usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding
of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor
drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds
become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and
bridge closures.

* TORNADO
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
- Situation is unfavorable for tornadoes

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Tornadoes not expected
- The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the
previous assessment.
- PLAN: Tornadoes are not expected. Showers and thunderstorms
with gusty winds may still occur.
- PREPARE: Little to no preparations needed to protect
against tornadoes at this time. Keep informed of the latest
tornado situation.
- ACT: Listen for changes in the forecast.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None
- Little to no potential impacts from tornadoes.

* FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- For evacuation and shelter information, please refer to:
- Mobile County EMA: 251-460-8000 or mobilecountyema.gov
- For storm surge threat graphics and other storm impacts:
- NWS Mobile: www.weather.gov/mob