http://www.wunderground.com/US/FL/008.html#HWW
Statement as of 6:58 PM CDT on August 30, 2008
... Tropical storm watch in effect...
... New information...
A tropical storm watch is now in effect for coastal Walton... Bay...
Gulf... and Franklin counties in the eastern Florida Panhandle.
... Areas affected...
This statement recommends actions to be taken by persons in the
following counties or marine areas:
Coastal Walton... Bay... Gulf... Franklin.
... Watches/warnings...
A tropical storm watch is now in effect for coastal Walton... Bay...
Gulf... and Franklin counties in the eastern Florida Panhandle.
... Precautionary/preparedness actions...
With a tropical storm watch in effect... now is the time to put
your preparedness plan into action. Stock up on canned goods...
water... and other non perishable supplies. Purchase batteries...
fill your car up with gas... and Purchase the necessary supplies to
protect your home and family should tropical storm force winds
arrive. Make sure you have extra Cash on hand. Refill any
important prescriptions that will be needed through the duration
of the storm. Remember... supplies such as food... water and
medicine may be in short supply in the days after the storm has
passed. Listen carefully to your local emergency management
officials... and be ready to take action if advised to do so.
Although the main threat for sustained tropical storm force winds
is expected over the coastal waters... bands of showers and
thunderstorms associated with Gustav may produce gusts to tropical
storm force over the interior.
In preparation for these gusts... residents should secure loose
outdoor items so they are not lofted into the air. Any airborne
objects can cause additional damage to structures as well as
injure anyone outside during the storm.
Also... all small craft should remain in port and commercial vessels
should prepare for very strong winds and dangerous conditions... and
consider remaining in port or taking shelter in port until winds
and waves subside.
... Storm surge and storm tide...
Since Hurricane Gustav is forecast to make landfall well to our
west on Monday... a maximum storm surge of only 1 to 3 feet is
possible across the eastern Panhandle at this time.
Additionally... astronomical high tides will be very low through
the period... reducing the risk of coastal flooding due to storm
surge. However... seas will begin to build late tonight through
Sunday... peaking late Sunday night into Monday... and slowly
trending downward through the mid week period. The combination of
the easterly wind waves and southerly swells from Gustav will lead
to extremely rough conditions across the northeast Gulf of Mexico
through this time. Significant wave heights are forecast to reach
up to 15 to 20 feet late Sunday night into Monday... especially to
the south of Destin and Panama City. All small craft are urged to
remain in port during this time.
This will also lead to hazardous alongshore and rip currents as
well as dangerously high surf along the eastern Panhandle beaches
beginning Sunday evening through Tuesday. Surf heights will peak
at 10 to 13 feet with occasional higher sets. These conditions
will be life threatening to anyone entering the water... including
experienced surfers.
... Winds...
Although the main threat for sustained tropical storm force winds
is expected over the coastal waters as Gustav passes off to our west...
bands of showers and thunderstorms associated with the hurricane may
produce gusts to tropical storm force over the interior.
... Inland flooding...
Although locally heavy rainfall will be possible in the bands of
showers and thunderstorms... storm totals of 2 to 4 inches of rain
should preclude additional widespread inland and riverine flooding.
... Tornadoes...
Isolated tornadoes will be possible on Sunday and Monday.
... Next update...
This statement will be updated by the National Weather Service in
Tallahassee by 100 am EDT.