Franklin County Emergency Management Alert
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10/19/19 6:00PM UPDATE – The evacuation for RV’s and campers has been cancelled.
12:00 PM UPDATE
Alligator Point Road Update
The Road Department states that the entire 1100 feet of the road has been destroyed.
Road Repairs have begun in an attempt to be reopen by Sunday Evening.
Please be patient while repairs are being made as quickly as possible.
Your safety is our top priority.
#besafefranklin #tsnestor
8:00 AM UPDATE – ..STRONG GUSTY WINDS AND STORM SURGE AFFECTING THE COAST OF THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE…
…NESTOR STEADILY LOSING ITS TROPICAL CHARACTERISTICS…
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Okaloosa/Walton County line to Yankeetown Florida *
Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach or are already reaching the coast within the warning area, and will continue through this afternoon. Gale-force winds are likely to begin along portions of the Atlantic coast of the southeastern United States later today.
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for…
* Indian Pass Florida to Clearwater Beach Florida *
A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide…
– Indian Pass FL to Chassahowitzka FL…3 to 5 ft
– Chassahowitzka to Clearwater Beach FL…2 to 4 ft
– Tampa Bay…1 to 3 ft
A National Ocean Service tide gauge at Apalachicola recently measured a water level of 3.2 ft above Mean Higher High Water.
As of 7 a.m. CDT, satellite imagery, NOAA Doppler weather radar data, and surface observations indicate that the center o Tropical Storm Nestor has redeveloped farther west about 80 miles (125 km) west-southwest of Apalachicola, Florida. Nestor is moving toward the northeast near 17 mph (28 km/h). Some erratic motion toward the northeast or east-northeast is expected through this morning. A turn toward the east-northeast is forecast to occur Sunday. On the forecast track, Nestor will move inland over the Florida Panhandle late this morning or early afternoon, and will then move across portions of the southeastern United States later today and Sunday as a post-tropical cyclone. Nestor is expected to move offshore of the coast of North Carolina into the western Atlantic by late Sunday also as a post-tropical cyclone.
Doppler radar data and surface observations indicate that maximum sustained winds remain near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles (260 km) mainly to the east of the center. The Tyndall AFB Tower located south of Apalachicola, Florida, recently reported a sustained wind of 49 mph (80 km/h) and a gust to 61 mph (98 km/h) at an elevation of 115 ft (35 m). No change in strength is anticipated before Nestor reaches the coast, but weakening is forecast to begin after the cyclone moves inland. Nestor is expected to lose tropical characteristics and become post-tropical by early afternoon.
Nestor is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches this weekend across portions of the southeastern United States, with isolated maximum amounts of 8 inches. A few tornadoes are possible through midday in the northern and central Florida Peninsula, and later today and tonight over coastal areas of Georgia and the Carolinas.
For storm information specific to your area, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office – www.weather.gov
The next complete advisory will be issued by NHC at 10 a.m. CDT – www.hurricanes.gov
5:00 AM UPDATE – BULLETIN Tropical Storm Nestor Advisory Number 8 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL162019 400 AM CDT Sat Oct 19 2019 …WINDS AND STORM SURGE SHOULD BE AFFECTING MUCH OF THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA… …NESTOR GRADUALLY LOSING ITS TROPICAL CHARACTERISTICS… SUMMARY OF 400 AM CDT…0900 UTC…INFORMATION ———————————————- LOCATION…29.0N 86.0W ABOUT 75 MI…125 KM SW OF APALACHICOLA FLORIDA ABOUT 85 MI…135 KM SSW OF PANAMA CITY FLORIDA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…50 MPH…85 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT…NE OR 45 DEGREES AT 17 MPH…28 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…998 MB…29.47 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS ——————– CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: The Tropical Storm Warning has been discontinued west of Okaloosa/Walton County line, Florida. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for… * Okaloosa/Walton County line to Yankeetown Florida A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for… * Indian Pass Florida to Clearwater Beach Florida A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning. A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov. This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials. For storm information specific to your area, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ———————- At 400 AM CDT (0900 UTC), the broad circulation center of Tropical Storm Nestor was estimated near latitude 29.0 North, longitude 86.0 West. Nestor is expected to move toward the northeast near 17 mph (28 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue through today. A turn toward the east-northeast is expected to occur Sunday. On the forecast track, Nestor will move inland over the Florida Panhandle later this morning, and will then move across portions of the southeastern United States later today and Sunday while it becomes a post-tropical cyclone. Nestor is expected to move offshore of the coast of North Carolina into the western Atlantic by late Sunday. Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. No change in strength is anticipated before Nestor reaches the coast, but is forecast to weaken after it moves inland. The cyclone is expected to lose tropical characteristics and become post-tropical later today. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles (260 km) mainly to the east of the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 998 mb (29.47 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ———————- STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide… Indian Pass FL to Chassahowitzka FL…3 to 5 ft Chassahowitzka to Clearwater Beach FL…2 to 4 ft Tampa Bay…1 to 3 ft Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For information specific to your area, please see products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office. WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach or are already reaching the coast within the warning area, and will continue through this afternoon. Gale-force winds are likely to begin along portions of the Atlantic coast of the southeastern United States later today. RAINFALL: Nestor is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches this weekend across portions of the southeastern United States, with isolated maximum amounts of 8 inches. TORNADOES: A few tornadoes are possible through midday in northern and central Florida Peninsula, and later today and tonight over coastal areas of Georgia and the Carolinas.
- 10/19/19 As of 3:25 AM there are no updates to TS Nestor which continues on the same path to landfall.
- 10/18/19 3:00 PM UPDATE With maximum sustained winds at 60 mph PTC 16 is now Tropical Storm Nestor (NES – tor).
- 10/18/19 11:00AM Mandatory Evacuations have been issued for all Campgrounds in Franklin County. Please move your campers inland until the storm passes. THE COUNTY STRONGLY SUGGESTS that all citizens who live along the coastline and Barrier Islands, in low lying areas, in river areas that are prone to surge or flooding from tidal surge, MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND Alligator Point Road is likely to erode due to storm surge and wave action. It is strongly advised that residents move to higher ground until the storm passes. BEACHES – All Franklin County Beaches are closed with Double Red Flags Flying.There is an elevated risk of Rip Current for the next several days. Large and dangerous surf is expected at area beaches with surf heights up to 8 feet. Franklin County Sheriffs Office will be manning all State Bridges. Bridges will close at sustained wind speeds of 45mph. Sand bags are being distributed at the following locations from 11:00am – 3:00pm. Limit of 10 bags per household and only for ground level homes directly on the coastline or low-lying areas. Apalachicola – Old State Yard on Bluff Road (12th Street)
Eastpoint – Fire Station
St. George Island – Fire Station
Carrabelle – Old County Annex on Hwy 98 E
- Weems East Clinic in Carrabelle will be closed on Saturday.
- Carrabelle Library will be closed on Saturday.
- Amnesty Day has been rescheduled for Saturday 10/26/19
- Precautionary Measures.This includes but is not limited to:
- Secure yard items such as chairs, umbrellas, etc.
- Secure Boats and Vehicles – This includes moving to higher ground.
- Make sure your disaster kit is ready and accessible.
Do Not Drive Cars Through Flooded Areas. If you see Flood Waters ….. REMEMBER TO TURN AROUND AND DO NOT DROWN.
A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for Franklin County. Tropical storm conditions will approach the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend approximately 8:00 PM. Sustained winds of 40mph are expected at this time with stronger gusts.
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the entire coastal area with the possibility of life-threatening inundation along the immediate coast. Storm surge potential is greatest Friday evening and Saturday (3-5 ft. above ground, THIS AMOUNT IS INCLUDING HIGH TIDE). Peak water levels are expected around the time of high tide in the pre-dawn hours Saturday through mid-morning Saturday.
Storm total rainfall forecast through Saturday is 2-4 in. with isolated heavier totals to 6 in. especially near the coast.
Tornado potential will increase in the pre-dawn hours on Saturday and continue through the early afternoon.
Please monitor the weather closely for the next several days.
Franklin County Emergency Management continues to monitor this storm closely. If you have any questions:
- Visit our website at franklinemergencymanagement.com
- Sign up for Alert Franklin.
- Be sure to LIKE our Facebook page for updates
- Call our Hotline at 850-653-8977