HIGHLY DETAILED COUNTY-BY-COUNTY ASSESSMENT: LOCAL IMPACTS DUE TO ZETA… You will find a highly detailed assessment below as to what you can expect in each of our local counties due to Zeta, which is expected to be a hurricane tomorrow (Wednesday) at landfall in southeast Louisiana. Zeta will then rapidly move northeast into our local area likely as a strong tropical storm. Keep in mind that impacts WILL extend well away from the center landfall point AND our area will be on the volatile eastern flank of this rapidly-moving storm. Local impacts from Zeta will be most pronounced Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. Unlike what happened with Hurricane Delta moving into Louisiana a few weeks ago and giving our area some outer effects, THIS WILL be a direct hit on our area from a weakening hurricane (likely to be a strong tropical storm as it passes over our area). A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the entire local area.
LOCAL ZETA IMPACTS MOST LIKELY WEDNESDAY NIGHT… The timeframe for local impacts in south Alabama and northwest Florida from Zeta will happen from Noon on Wednesday to Noon on Thursday with the greatest threat being from 5PM Wednesday to 2AM Thursday.
TORNADO RISK AT THE COAST STARTS WEDNESDAY; SPREADS INLAND WEDNESDAY NIGHT… Tornadoes will be possible in the outer rain bands of Zeta that spread across south Alabama and northwest Florida on Wednesday. The tornado risk will continue into Thursday morning. It should be emphasized that we do NOT have a tornado risk today (Tuesday). The tornado risk will likely start first around the Alabama and northwest Florida coastline and gradually spread eastward and inland throughout the night on Wednesday night into early Thursday. Tropical tornadoes generally do not last long, but they can cause localized areas of damage and still are very serious in some cases. If we have tornado warnings at any point over the next few days, be sure to join us in our live video coverage that will remain on the air as long as the warning is in effect. redzoneweather.com/coverage outlines our tornado warning coverage commitment in great detail. The Storm Prediction Center has included basically all of our local area in their Levels 1 and 2 (out of 5) tornado risk zones.
Below are the detailed county-by-county assessments discussing what you can expect from Zeta, which is expected to be a category 1 hurricane or strong tropical storm at landfall tomorrow (Wednesday).
MOBILE COUNTY, AL… A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect. There is a potential for numerous downed trees and power lines. Scattered to numerous power outages will be possible. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be in the 50-70 mph range with higher wind gusts being possible at the immediate coastline of Dauphin Island and along Mobile Bay and the Mississippi Sound. Total rain amounts of 2-4″ are expected, meaning flash flooding will be a concern. Tornadoes will be possible. 5 to 8 feet of storm surge is currently projected for Dauphin Island and the southern coastline of Mobile Bay near Bayou La Batre with 3 to 5 feet of storm surge projected for areas along Mobile Bay.
Locations: Mobile, Prichard, Citronelle, Mt. Vernon, Creola, Satsuma, Saraland, Calvert, Wilmer, West Mobile, Bayou La Batre, Coden, Alabama Port, Dauphin Island, Theodore, Crichton, Tanner Williams, Tillmans Corner, Chunchula, Grand Bay.
BALDWIN COUNTY, AL… A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect. There is a potential for numerous downed trees and power lines. Scattered to numerous power outages will be possible. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be in the 50-70 mph range with higher wind gusts being possible at the immediate coastline of Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach. High wind gusts will also be possible along the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay near Bon Secour, Magnolia Springs, Point Clear, Fairhope, Montrose, Daphne, and Spanish Fort. Total rain amounts of 2-4″ are expected, meaning flash flooding will be a concern. Tornadoes will be possible. 3 to 5 feet of storm surge will be possible along the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. 3 to 5 feet of storm surge will also be possible along the coastline near Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach.
Locations: Daphne, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fort Morgan, Magnolia Springs, Foley, Elberta, Elsanor, Robertsdale, Summerdale, Silverhill, Montrose, Loxley, Stapleton, Bay Minette, Stockton, Rabun, Perdido, Tensaw, Point Clear.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, AL… A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect. There is a potential for scattered downed trees and power lines. Scattered power outages will be possible. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be in the 40-60 mph range with higher wind gusts being possible. Total rain amounts of 2-4″ are expected, meaning flash flooding will be a concern. Tornadoes will be possible.
Locations: Chatom, Leroy, McIntosh, Millry, Deer Park, Vinegar Bend, Fruitdale, Yellow Pine, Copeland, Yarbo, Jordan, Bigbee, St. Stephens, Tibbie, Sims Chapel, Sunflower, Malcolm.
CLARKE COUNTY, AL… A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect. There is a potential for scattered downed trees and power lines. Scattered power outages will be possible. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be in the 40-60 mph range with higher wind gusts being possible. Total rain amounts of 2-4″ are expected, meaning flash flooding will be a concern. Tornadoes will be possible.
Locations: Thomasville, Grove Hill, Jackson, Coffeeville, Fulton, Carlton, Gainestown, Gosport, Whatley, Scyrene, Springfield, Chilton, Tallahatta Springs, Bashi, Woods Bluff, Campbell, Zimco, Toddtown, Salitpa, Suggsville, Alma, Dickinson, West Bend, Winn, Walker Springs.
MONROE COUNTY, AL… A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect. There is a potential for scattered downed trees and power lines. Scattered power outages will be possible. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be in the 40-60 mph range with higher wind gusts being possible. Total rain amounts of 2-4″ are expected, meaning flash flooding will be a concern. Tornadoes will be possible.
Locations: Monroeville, Excel, Uriah, Frisco City, Megargal, Mineola, Chrysler, Goodway, Peterman, Tunnel Springs, Beatrice, Riley Crossing, Perdue Hill, Mexia, Scratch Ankle, Hybart, Franklin, Eliska.
CONECUH COUNTY, AL… A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect. There is a potential for scattered downed trees and power lines. Scattered power outages will be possible. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be in the 40-60 mph range with higher wind gusts being possible. Total rain amounts of 1-3″ are expected, meaning flash flooding is not as likely but still possible if storms train over the same areas. Tornadoes will be possible.
Locations: Evergreen, Castleberry, Owassa, Repton, Lenox, Range, Burnt Corn, Lyeffion, Centerville, Johnsonville, Brooklyn, Paul, Melrose, Old Sparta, Jay Villa, Belleville.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, AL… A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect. There is a potential for scattered downed trees and power lines. Scattered power outages will be possible. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be in the 40-60 mph range with higher wind gusts being possible. Total rain amounts of 1-3″ are expected, meaning flash flooding is not as likely but still possible if storms train over the same areas. Tornadoes will be possible.
Locations: Brewton, East Brewton, Atmore, Flomaton, Riverview, Poarch, Huxford, Wallace, Barnett Crossroads, Pineview, Wawbeek, Canoe, Nokomis, Appleton, Kirkland, Dixie, Roberts, Damascus, Pollard/McCall.
BUTLER COUNTY, AL… A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect. There is a potential for scattered downed trees and power lines. A few power outages will be possible. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be in the 35-55 mph range with higher wind gusts being possible. Total rain amounts of 1-3″ are expected, meaning flash flooding is not as likely but still possible if storms train over the same areas. Tornadoes will be possible.
Locations: Greenville, Georgiana, Chapman, Bolling, Grace, Garland, Oaky Streak, Daisy, Halso Mill, Starlington, Forest Home.
COVINGTON COUNTY, AL… A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect. There is a potential for scattered downed trees and power lines. A few power outages will be possible. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be in the 35-55 mph range with higher wind gusts being possible. Total rain amounts of 1-3″ are expected, meaning flash flooding is not as likely but still possible if storms train over the same areas. Tornadoes will be possible.
Locations: Andalusia, Opp, Florala, Rose Hill, Onycha, Red Oak, Green Bay, Straughn, Red Level, Gantt, Clearview, Carolina, Pleasant Home, Wing, Sanford, Libertyville, Eoda, Horn Hill, Lockhart, River Falls, Loango, Fairfield.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FL… A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect. There is a potential for numerous downed trees and power lines. Scattered to numerous power outages will be possible. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be in the 50-70 mph range with higher wind gusts being possible at the immediate coastline of Perdido Key and Pensacola Bay. High wind gusts will also be possible along the immediate coastlines of Pensacola Bay and East Bay. 2 to 4 feet of storm surge will be possible along the shores of Pensacola Bay and East Bay. 2 to 4 feet of storm surge will also be possible along the coastline near Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach. Total rain amounts of 1-3″ are expected, meaning flash flooding is not as likely but still possible if storms train over the same areas. Tornadoes will be possible.
Locations: Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key, Warrington, Myrtle Grove, Molino, Walnut Hill, Bratt, Century, Ensley, Gonzalez, Cantonment, Quintette, McDavid.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY, FL… A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect. There is a potential for scattered downed trees and power lines. Scattered power outages will be possible. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be in the 40-60 mph range with higher wind gusts being possible. 2 to 4 feet of storm surge will be possible along the shores of Pensacola Bay and East Bay. 2 to 4 feet of storm surge will also be possible along the coastline near Gulf Breeze and Navarre. Total rain amounts of 1-3″ are expected, meaning flash flooding is not as likely but still possible if storms train over the same areas. Tornadoes will be possible.
Locations: Navarre, Jay, Milton, Pace, Gulf Breeze, Harold, Whiting Field, Chumuckla, New York, Brownsdale, Berrydale, Munson, Fidelis, McClellan, Mulat, Bagdad, Pine Bluff, Avalon Beach, Garcon Point, Whitfield, Allentown.
OKALOOSA COUNTY, FL… A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect. There is a potential for scattered downed trees and power lines. A few power outages will be possible. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be in the 35-55 mph range with higher wind gusts being possible. 2 to 4 feet of storm surge will be possible along the shores of Choctawhatchee Bay. 2 to 4 feet of storm surge will also be possible along the coastline near Mary Esther, Fort Walton Beach, Santa Rosa Island, and Destin. Total rain amounts of 1-3″ are expected, meaning flash flooding is not as likely but still possible if storms train over the same areas. Tornadoes will be possible.
Locations: Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Mary Esther, Wright, VPS, Eglin AFB, Crestview, Deerland, Campton, Auburn (FL), Baker, Holt, Milligan, Laurel Hill.
TROPICAL STORM WATCH FOR COUNTIES TO OUR NORTH… Several counties across central Alabama are now involved in a Tropical Storm Watch as there is a chance of tropical storm force winds in parts of south-central Alabama. This Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for all parts of Marengo, Dallas, Perry, Chilton, Autauga, Lowndes, Montgomery, Elmore, and Coosa counties.
TORNADO WARNING POLICY… Any time there is an active tornado warning in effect for southwest Alabama or northwest Florida, we provide uninterrupted, live video coverage on Facebook Live and in the RedZone Weather app. Our detailed coverage commitment is outlined at redzoneweather.com/coverage. We are proud to cover all parts of Escambia (AL), Covington, Monroe, Conecuh, Baldwin, Mobile, Clarke, Washington, Butler, Escambia (FL), Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties. If you live in any locale in those counties, be sure to tune into our coverage whenever there is an active tornado warning!
SET UP APP ALERTS… Many updates will be posted throughout the day in the RedZone Weather app. redzoneweather.com/app is the link for the free download. Be sure to visit the Alerts tab (bottom right corner) and tap the large, yellow “Alert Settings” button to customize the alerts you’d like to receive from me. If you like a lot of info, be sure to toggle ON Low-Level Alerts.
NEXT UPDATE… I will have another detailed LIVE video update this evening starting at some point between 7PM and 9PM. Until then, we will have plenty of rolling updates being posted in the RedZone Weather app. Have a nice Tuesday afternoon!