046 WTUS84 KMOB 290343 HLSMOB ALZ051>060-261>266-FLZ201>206-MSZ067-075-076-078-079-291145- Hurricane Zeta Local Statement Advisory Number 18 National Weather Service Mobile AL AL282020 1043 PM CDT Wed Oct 28 2020 This product covers portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi. **ZETA MOVING INLAND ACROSS SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI AND SOUTHWEST ALABAMA** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for George, Greene, Perry, and Stone - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baldwin Inland, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Escambia, Escambia Inland, Mobile Inland, Monroe, Okaloosa Coastal, Okaloosa Inland, Santa Rosa Inland, Washington, Wayne, and Wilcox - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Baldwin Central, Baldwin Coastal, Escambia Coastal, Mobile Central, Mobile Coastal, and Santa Rosa Coastal * STORM INFORMATION: - About 70 miles north-northwest of Mobile AL or about 110 miles northwest of Pensacola FL - 31.5N 88.7W - Storm Intensity 80 mph - Movement Northeast or 40 degrees at 31 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Zeta is now a Category 1 hurricane moving out of interior southeast Mississippi and into interior southwest Alabama. Zeta is expected to continue weakening as it moves rapidly northeastward across central Alabama overnight. Multiple regional impacts are expected to continue, including damaging winds, deadly storm surge, heavy rain, dangerous surf and rip currents, and a few tornadoes over interior south central Alabama. We remain very concerned about the damaging wind potential as Zeta moves across interior southwest Alabama through late this evening. A Hurricane Warning continues across Stone, George, Perry, and Greene counties in southeast Mississippi where frequent gusts over hurricane force will continue for the next couple of hours, but winds expected to diminish after midnight. A few gusts near hurricane force are also possible over portions of interior southwest Alabama until just after midnight. Tropical storm force winds will impact much of the rest of our region through just after midnight. Numerous trees and power lines have been downed, and this potential will remain a possibility across interior southwest Alabama this evening, especially along and east of Interstate 65. If leaning and/or weakened trees are near your home, please have a plan to prepare and be as safe as possible! Deadly storm surge is also impacting coastal Alabama and the western Florida panhandle west of Navarre. The highest surge values have peaked at around 6 to 9 feet along coastal areas of southern Mobile County, including Dauphin Island and 4 to 6 feet along northern sections of Mobile Bay. Surge of 2 to 4 feet will impact the western Florida panhandle coast and bays west of Navarre. Extensive coastal flooding has been reported in many areas along the Alabama coast. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * SURGE: Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across the Alabama and northwest Florida coast east to Navarre. Remain well away from life- threatening surge areas. Potential impacts in this area include: - Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Large sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss. - Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded. Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts from Navarre to Destin. * WIND: Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across portions of interior southwest Alabama. Remain well sheltered from dangerous wind having 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. - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines. * FLOODING RAIN: Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across portions of interior southwest Alabama. Remain well guarded against dangerous flood waters having additional significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately. Do not enter evacuated areas until officials have given the all clear to return. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a battery- powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy. During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather. 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. Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed evacuation orders issued by the local authorities. If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding. * 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 www.mcema.net - Northwest Florida: - Escambia County: 850-471-6400 or bereadyescambia.com - Santa Rosa County: 850-983-5360 www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency - Okaloosa County: 850-651-7150 or www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/ps/home - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org Next update will be approximately at 5 AM CDT Thursday. *NEXT UPDATE The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Mobile AL around 5 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$