046 
WTUS84 KMOB 290343
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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.

$$