Escambia County has been placed under a tropical storm watch, EMA Director David Adams said.

A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm wind conditions are possible within the area within the next 48 hours.

“The forecast track of TS Nate has shifted to the east since yesterday afternoon,” he said. “Our area now has a greater chance of experiencing tropical storm conditions.”

An update from the National Weather Service will be given later today, he said.

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
– Atmore
– Brewton
– Flomaton

* WIND
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Tropical Storm force wind
– Peak Wind Forecast: 35-45 mph with gusts to 65 mph
– Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Saturday evening
until Sunday afternoon

– CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Moderate
– The wind threat has increased from the previous assessment.
– Emergency plans should include a reasonable threat for
strong tropical storm force wind of 58 to 73 mph.
– To be safe, earnestly prepare for the potential of
significant wind impacts. Remaining efforts to secure
properties should now be brought to completion.
– Dangerous wind is possible. Failure to adequately shelter
may result in injury. Move to safe shelter before the wind
becomes hazardous.

– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant
– Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with
damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few
buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door
failures. Mobile homes damaged, especially if unanchored.
Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles.
– Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several
fences and roadway signs blown over.
– Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within
urban or heavily wooded places.
– Scattered power and communications outages, but more
prevalent in areas with above ground lines.

* FLOODING RAIN
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
– Peak Rainfall Amounts: 2-4 inches, with locally higher
amounts

– CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Elevated
– The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from
the previous assessment.
– Emergency plans should include a reasonable threat for
minor flooding where peak rainfall totals are near amounts
conducive for localized flash flooding and rapid inundation.
– To be safe, prepare for the potential of limited flooding
rain impacts.
– Localized flooding is possible. If flood related watches
and warnings are issued, heed recommended actions.

– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited
– Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations.
– Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter
currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may
become swollen and overflow in spots.
– Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in
usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding
of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor
drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds
become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and
bridge closures.

* TORNADO
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
– Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes

– CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Elevated
– The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the
previous assessment.
– When implementing emergency plans, include a reasonable
threat for isolated tornadoes.
– To be safe, prepare for the potential of limited tornado
impacts.
– Listen for tornado watches and warnings. Be ready to
shelter quickly if a tornado approaches.

– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited
– The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the
execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
– A few places may experience tornado damage, along with
power and communications disruptions.
– Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings,
chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or
overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off,
shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown
off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings.

* FOR MORE INFORMATION:
– For local information, please refer to:
– Escambia County EMA:
– For storm impacts:
– NWS Mobile: www.weather.gov/mob