Weather: Mobile

Major Hurricane Isaias continues to move towards the north near 17 mph and is forecast to make landfall along the coast of the western Florida panhandle this evening as a damaging hurricane. It is important not to focus just on the center as the wind field will expand by landfall, resulting in significant wind impacts and a life threatening storm surge along and to the east of where the hurricane makes landfall.

WIND: LATEST LOCAL FORECAST

Peak Wind Forecast: 25-35 mph with gusts to 65 mph

WIND: THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY

The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. PLAN: Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm force. PREPARE: Remaining efforts to protect property should be completed as soon as possible. Prepare for limited wind damage. ACT: Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous.

WIND: POTENTIAL IMPACTS

Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. Scattered power and communications outages.

STORM SURGE: LATEST LOCAL FORECAST

-threatening storm surge possible Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for 2-4 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas Window of concern: through Saturday morning

STORM SURGE: THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY

The storm surge threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. PLAN: Shelter against life-threatening storm surge of greater than 3 feet above ground. PREPARE: Flood preparations and ordered evacuations should be complete. Evacuees should be in shelters well away from storm surge flooding. ACT: Remain sheltered in a safe location. Do not venture outside.

STORM SURGE: POTENTIAL IMPACTS

Potential impacts from the main surge event are unfolding.

FLOODING RAIN: LATEST LOCAL FORECAST

Peak Rainfall Amounts: No additional significant rainfall forecast

FLOODING RAIN: THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY

The flooding rain threat has increased from the previous assessment. PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for major flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are likely. PREPARE: Strongly consider protective actions, especially if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life.

FLOODING RAIN: POTENTIAL IMPACTS

Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, 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.

TORNADO: LATEST LOCAL FORECAST

Situation is unfavorable for tornadoes

TORNADO: THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY

The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. PLAN: Tornadoes are not expected. Showers and thunderstorms with gusty winds may still occur. PREPARE: Little to no preparations needed to protect against tornadoes at this time. Keep informed of the latest tornado situation. ACT: Listen for changes in the forecast.

TORNADO: POTENTIAL IMPACTS

Little to no potential impacts from tornadoes.

Precautionary

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take quick action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

Locations

WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible.

Info1

WHERE...Portions of Alabama, including the following areas, Baldwin Central, Baldwin Coastal, Baldwin Inland, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Escambia, Mobile Central, Mobile Coastal, Mobile Inland, Monroe, Washington and Wilcox and northwest Florida, including the following areas, Escambia Coastal, Escambia Inland, Okaloosa Coastal, Okaloosa Inland, Santa Rosa Coastal and Santa Rosa Inland.

Info2

WHEN...From 1 PM CDT this afternoon through Saturday afternoon.

Info3

IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible.

Info4

ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Hurricane Isaias lifts northward and is expected to reach the western Florida Panhandle as a major hurricane this evening, with bands of heavy rain ahead of the storm spreading onshore through the day. Isaias is expected to produce storm total rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches in the watch area. Localized higher amounts of 10 to 15 inches are possible, particularly within banding across the Florida Panhandle and close to the center track of the storm. Flash and urban flooding is likely across the region, with considerable impacts possible across much of southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. River flooding is also expected, some of which could be significant.

Location

WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast.

Info1

WHERE...Bayou Sara at Saraland.

Info2

WHEN...From Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning.

Info3

IMPACTS...At 4.0 feet, Flooding of streets begin. At 5.0 feet, Street flooding east of the railroad becomes widespread.

Info4

ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 9:30 AM CDT Friday the stage was 1.6 feet. - Forecast...The river will rise to 2.0 feet this afternoon. It will then fall to 1.9 feet this evening. It will rise above flood stage early tomorrow afternoon to 4.5 feet tomorrow evening. It will then fall below flood stage early Sunday morning. - Flood stage is 4.0 feet.

Precautions

Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov