North Florida

Tropical Storm Eta Approaching North Florida

Tropical Storm Eta is weakening some more as it moves closer to North Central Florida. The 1AM advisory put Eta’s center about 35 miles southwest of Cedar Key. Maximum sustained winds had fallen to 60 mph.

A Storm Surge Warning remains in effect from Bonita Beach to the Suwannee River. A Storm Surge Watch extends from the Suwannee River to the Steinhatchee River. While values 3 to 5 feet above ground are not extreme, this level of surge was still causing significant issues in the vulnerable Tampa Bay area. Around Cedar Key, wind direction will be critical in determining peak surge values.

Locally, parts or all of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Camden, Clay, Columbia, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, and Union counties are under a Tropical Storm Warning.

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Tracking Hurricane Zeta

Zeta is quickly strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico. It is now forecast to become a Category 2 hurricane by early this afternoon as it approaches Southeastern Louisiana and Southeastern Mississippi. A Hurricane Warning remains in effect from Morgan City, LA to the Mississippi/Alabama border. It continues to include New Orleans and Gulfport.

Fast storm movement will allow damaging winds to spread well inland into areas of even Central Alabama. Widespread power outages are expected. Those in the direct path of this system need to charge up their devices!

A Storm Surge Warning stretches from the mouth of the Atchafalaya River to Navarre, FL. Those from the mouth of the Pearl River to Dauphin Island, AL look to be at greatest risk.

Despite a cold front ultimately pushing through and drying things out, conditions could become favorable for isolated tornadic activity out ahead of it across even parts of the Florida Big Bend and Southern Georgia.

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Hurricane Sally Slowly Moving Closer to Pensacola; Tornadoes and Flash Flooding Possible Across Florida Big Bend and Southwest Georgia

The forecast track for Hurricane Sally continues to shift east as it now looks like the Pensacola area will get the worst impacts from this dangerous storm. The Hurricane Warning has been extended eastward to extend from the Okaloosa/Walton County line to Bay St. Louis, MS. Isolated wind gusts around 100 mph could occur in the Gulf Shores/Pensacola vicinity. As of 12AM CT, Sally was continuing to strengthen and had become a Category 2 hurricane once again. Flash flooding is the biggest concern as isolated spots could ultimately receive 30+ inches of rain. Historic numbers are possible.

Toward the Tallahassee/Albany area, concern is increasing for isolated tornadoes and flash flooding as Sally’s eastern quadrant (most favorable zone for tornadic activity) moves across the area from the south and west.

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Tracking Hurricane Isaias

Category 1 Hurricane Isaias is continuing to impact parts of the Bahamas. As it gets closer to Florida, the hurricane is expected to turn to the north. Isaias’s exact track will determine what type of impacts the Florida Peninsula and Southeast Georgia receive. A Hurricane Warning is in effect from Boca Raton to the Flagler-Volusia County line. In our coverage area, Coastal St. Johns and Flagler counties are under a Tropical Storm Watch and Storm Surge Watch.

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Tracking Tropical Storm Cristobal

Cristobal is currently expected to make landfall late Sunday in Louisiana as a moderate strength tropical storm. Despite this, indirect/direct impacts will continue to increase across North Florida. This is because the system is an unusually large one and a copious amount of moisture is displaced east of the center.

Storm surge will also be a threat for those in coastal communities along the Florida Big Bend. A Storm Surge Watch includes locations from Indian Pass to Aripeka. Storm surge could reach 2 to 4 feet above ground in these spots.

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