Escambia County Emergency Management Director David Adams says that there is good news, concerning Tropical Storm Karen.

“The latest data from the National Weather Service has the track of Karen shifted slightly to the east from previous tracks,” Adams said. “If this track holds, it will place Escambia County more to the west side of the center, which is typically less intense than the east side.”

Adams also said that Karen has lost some of its strength, with sustained winds at about 50 mph and a forward speed of 7 mph in a north-northwest direction. The projected rainfall has been reduced to 1 to 3 inches, with higher totals possible in some locations.

“We are still well within the forecast cone and still could see substantial impacts,” Adams said. ” There is a slight chance of the development of tornadoes with this system.  Any tornadoes that do develop should be small and short lived.”