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Escambia County EMA officials announced this morning that the current forecast still has Tropical Storm Fred making landfall in the western Florida panhandle on Monday.

Director David Adams said the greatest threat for Escambia County, Ala. appears to be the possibility of isolated tornadoes.

“Heavy rainfall may affect some areas causing localized flash flooding,” he said. “Please prepare accordingly.”

Adams added that another system, Tropical Storm Grace, is nearing the Caribbean Islands and is forecast to enter the Gulf of Mexico later in the week.

According to the National Weather Service, Fred has become better organized today and is likely to re-strengthen into a tropical storm later today.

“In addition, the forecast track has shifted east from last night and additional minor shifts eastward will be possible in future forecasts,” NWS officials said. “A tropical storm watch is now in effect for the western Florida Panhandle and portions of south-central Alabama.”

Potential threats from the storm include: 

• Flash flooding is possible across portions of the western Florida Panhandle into south-central Alabama, especially east of a line from Navarre Beach, Fla., to Andalusia to Luverne. 
• Tropical storm force winds are possible beginning Monday evening and continuing Monday night across the watch area.
• Coastal flooding is likely along coastal areas and bays. 
• High surf and dangerous rip currents expected along the coast, especially along the beaches of the western Florida Panhandle, tonight through Monday night.
• Isolated tornadoes may occur across the western Florida Panhandle and south-central Alabama Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning.