Alberto: Storm Watch & Updates Memorial Day Weekend 2018

Tropical Storm Alberto Update
Tropical Storm Warnings remain in effect for the Florida Gulf Coast area. Heavy rain remains the main threat with this storm.

DOUBLE RED FLAGS POSTED FOR SOUTH WALTON BEACHES.

*WATER IS CLOSED*

Remember A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when sustained winds of 34 to 63 kt (39 to 73 mph) or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding.

The South Walton Fire District reminds you to remain weather aware and stay tuned to your local trusted media outlets, county emergency management and our social media sites for the latest information regarding this storm.

US National Weather Service Tallahassee Florida
May 27 | 5am EDT

5 AM EDT Alberto Update: Storm track has shifted eastward overnight. Tropical Storm warnings have been extended to include all of the Big Bend coast and inland portions of the FL Panhandle. While an eastward track and quick forward motion will help limit strengthening today, heavy rain and flooding will continue to be the main threat with this storm.

Walton County Emergency Management
Facebook Update: Storm Watch

Good Afternoon,

As of the 4pm CDT advisory Coastal Walton County was placed under a Tropical Storm and Storm Surge Watch for Subtropical Storm Alberto.

A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when a tropical cyclone containing winds of 34 to 63 kt (39 to 73 mph) or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding. The watch does not mean that tropical storm conditions will occur. It only means that these conditions are possible

Summary of Potential Impacts:
• Alberto is expected to move into the Southern Gulf of Mexico on Saturday.
• The primary threat is likely to be heavy rainfall capable of causing flood flooding and river flooding.
• Tropical storm force winds are possible along the Florida Panhandle Coast.
• All areas along the Florida Gulf Coast have the potential for 2 to 4 feet of storm surge.
• Alberto has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.
• Alberto will begin to pick up forward speed by Saturday evening and near the Gulf Coast late Sunday or Monday
• Tropical storm force winds could begin to affect coastal areas of the Florida Panhandle as soon as Sunday morning.
• Walton County has a 3 in 10 chance of seeing sustained tropical storm force winds from Alberto.
• The threat for any tropical storm force winds should decrease by Tuesday morning.
• Highest storm surge is expected Sunday afternoon.
• Elevated water levels may continue through the high tide cycle Monday.

Walton County Actions:
• Talking points have been developed and distributed to:
o WCSO Dispatch
o SWFD Dispatch
o DFSPD Dispatch
o 211
o TDC
• Once daily conference calls with:
o National Weather Service - Tallahassee
o National Weather Service - Mobile
o Florida Division of Emergency Management
WCEM will continue to monitor and will provide updates as more information becomes available. If you have any questions feel free to contact emergency management.

And now 36 hrs later.."Warning" landfall west of PCB....tie down your beer cases...

AL.com
Birmingham man drowns in rough waters in Panama City Beach
Updated May 26, 9:18 PM;Posted May 26, 6:34 PM

By John Sharp

A 31-year-old Birmingham man drowned Friday in rough Gulf waters in Panama City Beach, Florida.

According to police, the man joined about 8 to 10 of his friends for a swim in the Gulf around 7:40 p.m. in the 17000 block of Front Beach Road near the Tropic Winds condominiums. The man was later seen by his friends floating face down in the water, a Panama City Police Beach sergeant told AL.com.

Attempts to administer CPR were ineffective and the man was pronounced dead a a beachside emergency room.

Authorities are not releasing the man's name, but WMBB-TV in Panama City identified him as Darrius Stone Jr. of Birmingham.

Red flag warnings were present along beaches throughout the Gulf on Friday, warning swimmers to stay out of the water because of dangerous conditions.

I’m sitting on the beach now watching the waves on Rosemary and fascinated with the parents who keep getting in..and letting their kids get in. Lifeguards and Code have their work cut out for them.

I’m sitting on the beach now watching the waves on Rosemary and fascinated with the parents who keep getting in..and letting their kids get in. Lifeguards and Code have their work cut out for them.

Unbelievable. The water is CLOSED! I've checked some of the SoWal.com/Live BeachCams and saw lots of people on the beach and some in the water.

Walton County Emergency Management UPDATE
SUNDAY MAY 27 2:45PM

Good Afternoon,

Here is updated storm information. Please note that if you would like updates for every advisory go to www.nhc.noaa.gov. Thank you and have a good day.

Summary:

• Tropical Storm Warnings remain in effect for all coastal areas.
• Tropical Storm Warnings have been extended to include all of the inland Florida Panhandle, western Florida Big Bend and Southeast Alabama.
• The threat for tropical storm force winds remains high, similar to the previous forecast.
• Even with the wind threat, the primary concern continues to be the threat for heavy rainfall, which will cause flash flooding.
• Tornado potential will increase across the region starting this evening and continue through Monday.
• Alberto is slowly strengthening and now has maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. Some additional strengthening is expected.
• Alberto may turn to the northwest this evening.
• After the northwestward turn, the motion of Alberto may become erratic, with a shift back to the north possible before landfall.
• Storm surge watch in effect for the entire coastal area.
• Possibility of life threatening inundation along the immediate coast.

Walton County Actions:
• Walton County EOC Activated to a Level 2 and will run 24 hour operations
• A Local State of Emergency was declared by the BCC effective at 3pm 27 May 2018
• A voluntary activation of mobile homes, manufactured homes, and low lying areas will be in effect at 3pm 27 May 2018.
• A General Population Shelter will open at Freeport High School at 6pm 20 May 2018.
• The Citizen Information Line was activated at 1pm 27 May 2018.

WCEM and its partners will continue to monitor Subtropical Storm Alberto as it moves closer to our area. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact us.

Walton County Issues Local State of Emergency and Activate to Level 2; Shelter and Sandbag Stations to Open

The Walton County Board of County Commissioners has issued a Local State of Emergency will be in effect beginning at 3:00pm CST. With this Local State of Emergency, there are several actions that are being taken by the Department of Emergency Management.

The Emergency Operations Center has moved to a Level-2 Partial Activation.

As part of this activation, we are issuing a Voluntary Evacuation for any of those who live in mobile or manufactured homes or live in low lying areas. In order to assist those who wish to evacuate, we will be opening a General Population shelter beginning at 6:00pm this evening that will be located at Freeport High School located at 12615 US Highway 331 Business, Freeport, Fl.

Additionally, the Emergency Operations Center has activated the Citizen Information Center that can provide information to the public. The Citizen Information Center can be contacted at 850-892-8392 or 850-892-8394.

At this time, the US 331 Clyde B. Wells Bridge is open. Due to the possibility of sustained Tropical Force Winds throughout the night and the duration of Monday, there may become a need for the closer of the bridge. The US 331 Bridge and other bridges in the area will be closed in the event that we receive sustained Tropical Storm force winds at or in excess of 40 mph. Please note that there may be little to no notice of a closure.

We request that all residents and visitors make the necessary plans in the case of a bridge closure.

Walton County is currently offering sand and bags at the following two locations and the public must bring their own shovels.
* Blue Mountain Pit, 1002 South County Hwy 83, Santa Rosa Beach
* Intersection of Woodyard and Vines Road, DeFuniak Springs

Please continue to monitor the Emergency Management Department's social media pages and your local media for future updates.

Weather forecast will be updated when it is available.

Close to Hurricane @74mph

Here's the latest on Subtropical Storm #Alberto:

The air force hurricane hunters have found stronger winds, now up 65 mph, in the storm's core. The National Hurricane Center will be issuing a special advisory within the hour to update the forecast.

What's up now on the beach?

www.SoWal.com/live

What the heck are we going to do for the next five hours waiting for Alberto?

What the heck are we going to do for the next five hours waiting for Alberto?

I heard that Game of Thrones is pretty good.

I’ve been playing Neil Young’s “Hurricane” for three hours now. I’m almost tired of it...

Not Hurricane Tropical Storm .. Not quite a Hurricane But...

Like a Hurricane

A good full screen map: Full Screen Radar

Looks like the center of circulation is nearing Inlet Beach which means most of SoWal is getting offshore winds and Panama City Beach is getting pounder by onshore winds.

Amazes me that parents would let their kids go out to try and ride the waves in this right now at the whats seems like the roughest and choppiest its been yet. Taken from the garrett realty cam

Glad to say Alberto fizzles for the most part although I haven't been everywhere yet. Look out for rip currents. The heavy surf and surge shifting sand around should make for some interesting tide pools and sand bars for the Summer. Let's hope Alberto protects us against future storm tracks!