240  
WTUS82 KTAE 282137  
HLSTAE  
ALZ065>069-FLZ007>019-026>029-034-108-112-114-115-118-127-128-134-GAZ120>131-142>148-155>161-290545-  
 
TROPICAL STORM IDALIA LOCAL STATEMENT ADVISORY NUMBER 9  
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL AL102023  
537 PM EDT MON AUG 28 2023 /437 PM CDT MON AUG 28 2023/  
 
THIS PRODUCT COVERS EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE, FLORIDA BIG BEND,  
SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA AND SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA  
 
...LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGE AND DANGEROUS WINDS BECOMING  
INCREASINGLY LIKELY FOR PORTIONS OF FLORIDA...  
 
NEW INFORMATION  
---------------  
 
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:  
- THE TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND HURRICANE WATCH HAVE BEEN  
UPGRADED TO A HURRICANE WARNING AND THE STORM SURGE WATCH HAS  
BEEN UPGRADED TO A STORM SURGE WARNING FOR COASTAL FRANKLIN  
- THE TROPICAL STORM WARNING HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO A HURRICANE  
WARNING FOR INLAND JEFFERSON  
- THE HURRICANE WATCH HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO A HURRICANE WARNING  
FOR LANIER AND LOWNDES  
- THE TROPICAL STORM WATCH HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO A HURRICANE  
WARNING FOR BROOKS  
- THE TROPICAL STORM WATCH HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO A TROPICAL STORM  
WARNING FOR THOMAS  
- A TROPICAL STORM WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR COASTAL GULF,  
GADSDEN, GRADY, AND INLAND GULF  
- A HURRICANE WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR INLAND WAKULLA AND LEON  
- A TROPICAL STORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR BERRIEN, COLQUITT,  
AND COOK  
 
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:  
- A STORM SURGE WARNING AND HURRICANE WARNING ARE IN EFFECT FOR  
COASTAL DIXIE, COASTAL FRANKLIN, COASTAL JEFFERSON, COASTAL  
TAYLOR, AND COASTAL WAKULLA  
- A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND HURRICANE WATCH ARE IN EFFECT FOR  
INLAND WAKULLA AND LEON  
- A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR BROOKS, INLAND DIXIE,  
INLAND JEFFERSON, INLAND TAYLOR, LAFAYETTE, LANIER, LOWNDES,  
AND MADISON  
- A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR COASTAL GULF,  
GADSDEN, GRADY, INLAND FRANKLIN, INLAND GULF, LIBERTY, AND  
THOMAS  
- A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR BERRIEN, COLQUITT, AND  
COOK  
 
* STORM INFORMATION:  
- ABOUT 580 MILES SOUTH OF STEINHATCHEE RIVER  
- 21.4N 85.1W  
- STORM INTENSITY 70 MPH  
- MOVEMENT NORTH OR 360 DEGREES AT 8 MPH  
 
SITUATION OVERVIEW  
------------------  
 
AS OF 5 PM EDT, IDALIA HAS BEGUN MOVING NORTHWARD AT 8 MPH AND  
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO 70 MPH, JUST BELOW HURRICANE  
STRENGTH. IDALIA IS EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN AND IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A  
MAJOR HURRICANE ON TUESDAY OVER THE EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO. IDALIA IS  
FORECAST TO MAKE LANDFALL EARLY WEDNESDAY ALONG THE NATURE COAST AS A  
MAJOR HURRICANE.  
 
THE POTENTIAL FOR LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGE AROUND THE SHORES OF  
APALACHEE BAY CONTINUES TO INCREASE. STORM SURGE WILL BE HIGHLY  
DEPENDENT ON THE STORM TRACK, WITH THE HIGHEST SURGE VALUES ALONG AND  
TO THE RIGHT OF THE CENTER. STORM SURGE COULD START TO BUILD AS SOON  
AS TUESDAY AFTERNOON, WITH PEAK SURGE VALUES COMING ON TUESDAY NIGHT  
AND WEDNESDAY.  
 
A STORM SURGE WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM INDIAN PASS TO THE SUWANEE  
RIVER FOR THE DANGER OF LIFE THREATENING INUNDATION FROM RISING WATER  
MOVING INLAND. STORM SURGE INUNDATION ABOVE NORMALLY DRY GROUND COULD  
REACH THE FOLLOWING HEIGHTS, IF THE PEAK SURGE OCCURS WITH HIGH TIDE:  
1 TO 3 FEET FROM MEXICO BEACH TO INDIAN PASS, 3 TO 5 FEET FROM INDIAN  
PASS TO THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER, 5 TO 8 FEET FROM THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER  
TO THE AUCILLA RIVER, AND 8 TO 12 FEET FROM THE AUCILLA RIVER TO THE  
SUWANNEE RIVER. THE DEEPEST WATER WILL OCCUR ALONG THE IMMEDIATE  
COAST, WHERE THE SURGE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE AND DANGEROUS  
WAVES.  
 
IN ADDITION, THE ODDS OF HURRICANE FORCE WINDS ARE INCREASING OVER THE  
SOUTHEAST BIG BEND REGION INTO THE LOWER I-75 CORRIDOR OF SOUTHWEST  
GEORGIA, AND THE FORECAST HURRICANE INTENSITY AT LANDFALL REMAINS  
NEARLY STEADY SINCE THE LAST ADVISORY, WITH IDALIA EXPECTED TO BE A  
MAJOR HURRICANE AT LANDFALL. A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM  
INDIAN PASS TO THE SUWANEE RIVER, INCLUDING INLAND PORTIONS OF THE  
EASTERN FLORIDA BIG BEND. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT  
FROM MEXICO BEACH TO INDIAN PASS, INCLUDING THE REMAINDER OF THE  
WESTERN FLORIDA BIG BEND. MEANWHILE, TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS AND  
HURRICANE WARNINGS ARE NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE LOWER I-75 CORRIDOR OF  
GEORGIA.  
 
TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS ARE MOST LIKELY TO ARRIVE ALONG THE COAST  
ON TUESDAY EVENING, BUT THEY COULD ARRIVE AS EARLY AS TUESDAY  
AFTERNOON. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PREPARATIONS FOR IDALIA BE COMPLETED  
BEFORE SUNSET ON TUESDAY, IF NOT SOONER. EXPECT DOWNED TREES AND  
POWERLINES, WITH PROLONGED POWER OUTAGES POSSIBLE.  
 
RAINFALL AMOUNTS WILL BE HEAVIEST ALONG AND EAST OF THE TRACK OF  
IDALIA, ESPECIALLY IN THE EASTERN FLORIDA BIG BEND, WHERE 5 TO  
8 INCHES OF RAIN ARE FORECAST, WITH ISOLATED HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE.  
THIS COULD LEAD TO LIFE THREATENING FLASH FLOODING. THE STORM SHOULD  
BE MOVING FAST ENOUGH TO PRECLUDE RIVER FLOODING AT THIS TIME.  
ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE AND LIFE-THREATENING RIP CURRENTS WILL  
AFFECT BEACHES WELL AWAY FROM THE CORE OF THE STORM.  
 
POTENTIAL IMPACTS  
-----------------  
 
* SURGE:  
PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE DEVASTATING  
IMPACTS ACROSS TAYLOR AND DIXIE COUNTIES. POTENTIAL IMPACTS IN THIS  
AREA INCLUDE:  
- WIDESPREAD DEEP INUNDATION, WITH STORM SURGE FLOODING GREATLY  
ACCENTUATED BY POWERFUL BATTERING WAVES. STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO  
BUILDINGS, WITH MANY WASHING AWAY. DAMAGE GREATLY COMPOUNDED  
FROM CONSIDERABLE FLOATING DEBRIS. LOCATIONS MAY BE  
UNINHABITABLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD.  
- NEAR-SHORE ESCAPE ROUTES AND SECONDARY ROADS WASHED OUT OR  
SEVERELY FLOODED. FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEMS AND BARRIERS MAY BECOME  
STRESSED.  
- EXTREME BEACH EROSION. NEW SHORELINE CUTS POSSIBLE.  
- MASSIVE DAMAGE TO MARINAS, DOCKS, BOARDWALKS, AND PIERS.  
NUMEROUS SMALL CRAFT BROKEN AWAY FROM MOORINGS WITH MANY LIFTED  
ONSHORE AND STRANDED.  
 
ALSO, PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE  
SIGNIFICANT TO EXTENSIVE IMPACTS ACROSS WAKULLA AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.  
 
ALSO, PROTECT AGAINST LOCALLY HAZARDOUS SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED  
IMPACTS ACROSS FRANKLIN COUNTY.  
 
ELSEWHERE ACROSS EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE, LITTLE TO NO IMPACT IS  
ANTICIPATED.  
 
* WIND:  
PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING WIND HAVING POSSIBLE DEVASTATING  
IMPACTS ACROSS COASTAL AND SOUTHEAST FLORIDA BIG BEND. POTENTIAL IMPACTS  
IN THIS AREA INCLUDE:  
- STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO STURDY BUILDINGS, SOME WITH COMPLETE ROOF  
AND WALL FAILURES. COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF MOBILE HOMES. DAMAGE  
GREATLY ACCENTUATED BY LARGE AIRBORNE PROJECTILES. LOCATIONS  
MAY BE UNINHABITABLE FOR WEEKS OR MONTHS.  
- NUMEROUS LARGE TREES SNAPPED OR UPROOTED ALONG WITH FENCES AND  
ROADWAY SIGNS BLOWN OVER.  
- MANY ROADS IMPASSABLE FROM LARGE DEBRIS, AND MORE WITHIN URBAN  
OR HEAVILY WOODED PLACES. MANY BRIDGES, CAUSEWAYS, AND ACCESS  
ROUTES IMPASSABLE.  
- WIDESPREAD POWER AND COMMUNICATIONS OUTAGES.  
 
ALSO, PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING WIND HAVING POSSIBLE EXTENSIVE  
IMPACTS ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF THE FLORIDA BIG BEND INTO THE LOWER I-75  
CORRIDOR OF GEORGIA.  
 
* FLOODING RAIN:  
PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING RAINFALL FLOODING HAVING POSSIBLE  
EXTENSIVE IMPACTS ACROSS THE EASTERN FLORIDA BIG BEND AND THE I-75  
CORRIDOR OF GEORGIA. POTENTIAL IMPACTS INCLUDE:  
- MAJOR RAINFALL FLOODING MAY PROMPT MANY EVACUATIONS AND RESCUES.  
- RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES MAY RAPIDLY OVERFLOW THEIR BANKS IN  
MULTIPLE PLACES. SMALL STREAMS, CREEKS, AND DITCHES MAY BECOME  
DANGEROUS RIVERS. FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEMS AND BARRIERS MAY BECOME  
STRESSED.  
- FLOOD WATERS CAN ENTER MANY STRUCTURES WITHIN MULTIPLE  
COMMUNITIES, SOME STRUCTURES BECOMING UNINHABITABLE OR WASHED  
AWAY. MANY PLACES WHERE FLOOD WATERS MAY COVER ESCAPE ROUTES.  
STREETS AND PARKING LOTS BECOME RIVERS OF MOVING WATER WITH  
UNDERPASSES SUBMERGED. DRIVING CONDITIONS BECOME DANGEROUS.  
MANY ROAD AND BRIDGE CLOSURES WITH SOME WEAKENED OR WASHED OUT.  
 
PROTECT AGAINST DANGEROUS RAINFALL FLOODING HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED  
TO SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF THE FLORIDA BIG BEND AND  
PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST GEORGIA.  
 
* TORNADOES:  
PROTECT AGAINST A DANGEROUS TORNADO EVENT HAVING POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANT  
IMPACTS ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST FLORIDA BIG BEND. POTENTIAL IMPACTS  
INCLUDE:  
- THE OCCURRENCE OF SCATTERED TORNADOES CAN HINDER THE EXECUTION  
OF EMERGENCY PLANS DURING TROPICAL EVENTS.  
- SEVERAL PLACES MAY EXPERIENCE TORNADO DAMAGE WITH A FEW SPOTS  
OF CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE, POWER LOSS, AND COMMUNICATIONS FAILURES.  
- LOCATIONS COULD REALIZE ROOFS TORN OFF FRAME HOUSES, MOBILE  
HOMES DEMOLISHED, BOXCARS OVERTURNED, LARGE TREES SNAPPED OR  
UPROOTED, VEHICLES TUMBLED, AND SMALL BOATS TOSSED ABOUT.  
DANGEROUS PROJECTILES CAN ADD TO THE TOLL.  
 
PROTECT AGAINST A TORNADO EVENT HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED IMPACTS  
ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF THE EASTERN FLORIDA BIG BEND INTO THE I-75  
CORRIDOR OF GEORGIA.  
 
ELSEWHERE ACROSS EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE, WESTERN FLORIDA BIG BEND,  
SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA AND THE REMAINDER OF SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA,  
LITTLE TO NO IMPACT IS ANTICIPATED.  
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS  
----------------------------------  
 
* EVACUATIONS:  
LISTEN TO LOCAL OFFICIAL FOR RECOMMENDED PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS,  
INCLUDING POSSIBLE EVACUATION. IF ORDERED TO EVACUATE, DO SO  
IMMEDIATELY.  
 
FOR THOSE NOT UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS, ASSESS THE RISK FROM WIND,  
FALLING TREES, AND FLOODING AT YOUR LOCATION. IF YOU DECIDE TO MOVE,  
RELOCATE TO A SAFER LOCATION NEARBY. IF YOU DO NOT RELOCATE, HELP KEEP  
ROADWAYS OPEN FOR THOSE UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS.  
 
IF EVACUATING, LEAVE WITH A DESTINATION IN MIND AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME  
TO GET THERE. TAKE YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES KIT. GAS UP YOUR VEHICLE  
AHEAD OF TIME.  
 
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:  
NOW IS THE TIME TO COMPLETE ALL PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND  
PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN. ENSURE YOU ARE IN A  
SAFE LOCATION BEFORE THE ONSET OF STRONG WINDS OR POSSIBLE FLOODING.  
 
IF YOU ARE RELOCATING TO SAFE SHELTER, LEAVE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.  
ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION. MANY ROADS AND BRIDGES  
WILL BE CLOSED ONCE STRONG WINDS ARRIVE. CHECK THE LATEST WEATHER  
FORECAST BEFORE DEPARTING AND DRIVE WITH CAUTION.  
 
IF HEADING TO A COMMUNITY SHELTER, BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE SHELTER  
RULES BEFORE ARRIVAL, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS OR HAVE  
PETS. TAKE ESSENTIAL ITEMS WITH YOU FROM YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES KIT.  
 
FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY SHELTER MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR LOSS OF  
LIFE. ALWAYS HEED THE ADVICE OF LOCAL OFFICIALS AND COMPLY WITH ANY  
ORDERS THAT ARE ISSUED. REMEMBER, DURING THE STORM 9 1 1 EMERGENCY  
SERVICES MAY NOT BE ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESPOND IF CONDITIONS ARE  
UNSAFE. THIS SHOULD BE A BIG FACTOR IN YOUR DECISION MAKING.  
 
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 INFORMATION ON APPROPRIATE PREPARATIONS SEE READY.GOV  
- FOR ADDITIONAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION SEE REDCROSS.ORG  
 
NEXT UPDATE  
-----------  
 
THE NEXT LOCAL STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER  
SERVICE IN TALLAHASSEE FL AROUND 11 PM EDT, OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS  
WARRANT.  
 

 
 
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