GCM Staff Report
Please see the latest from National Weather Service of Mobile.
- Hurricane Helene continues to strengthen this morning and is expected to become a major hurricane before making landfall along the Florida Big Bend this evening
- Slight shifts in the track may occur until landfall. Overall impacts to the local area have not changed
Local impacts include:
- Surf building to 6-11 feet along local beaches
- Deadly rip currents along local beaches
- Minor coastal flooding along the Alabama and western Florida panhandle coastal interface
- Wind speeds of 15-25 mph with gusts to 40 mph across parts of south-central Alabama, the western Florida panhandle and coastal southwest Alabama
Based on the latest track and guidance, the probability for storm surge inundation west of Mexico Beach is very low.
Potential impacts:
- Tropical storm force (>=39 mph) wind speed probabilities are similar to the previous advisory.
- There is a 1-in-10 to 2-in-10 chance of tropical storm force winds across portions of south-central Alabama and northwest Florida.
- Northerly winds will increase to 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph possible across far southwest Alabama, the western Florida panhandle and interior south-central Alabama.
High risk of deadly rip currents:
- When: Through Friday night.
Dangerously high surf:
- When: Surf building this morning and continuing through early Friday afternoon.
– Breakers greater than 10 feet expected this evening through late tonight.
Coastal flood advisory:
- When: This morning through early Friday morning.
- The rainfall forecast has decreased slightly. Up to 2 inches of rain is now forecast across far eastern portions of our area in south-central Alabama and the western Florida panhandle.
- Locally heavy rainfall in a short period of time could result in localized flooding of urban and low-lying areas.
Key take-aways:
- Hurricane Helene is expected to intensify into a major hurricane before it approaches the northeastern Gulf Coast on Thursday.
- Confidence is high that the Hurricane Helene will make landfall east of our area, along the Florida Big Bend.
- The wind field associated with Hurricane Helene is expected to be very large and impacts can be expected well outside of the cone.
- Greatest impacts to the local area will be along the coast, where dangerous surf, deadly rip current and minor coastal flooding is expected.
- Wind speeds of 15-25 mph with a few gusts up to 40 mph will be possible across portions of south-central Alabama, the western Florida panhandle and far southwest Alabama this afternoon and evening.
For your awareness:
- Sand is available: Baldwin County Central Annex (22251 Palmer St. Robertsdale, AL 36567). This is "self-serve." Please bring your own bags and tools if you need sand.
- Beach flags have now upgraded to Double Red.
Preparedness tips:
- Have multiple ways of receiving correct information from National Weather Service of Mobile, Baldwin County EMA and your local news outlets.
- Sign up for local, emergency alerts through www.alertbaldwin.com/.
- Know your risks and potential impacts. Know your location on a map, your evacuation zone and potential evacuation routes.
- Have any necessary supplies gathered to be self-sufficient for five days. Don’t forget medications and pet supplies.
- Review important documents and insurance policies. Make sure you have flood insurance if needed.
- Make an emergency plan and ensure all family members know how to contact each other and where to meet in case of an evacuation.
- Steer clear of misinformation (especially on social media). Have multiple forms of receiving CORRECT information. (Baldwin County EMA, National Weather Service of Mobile, Local media outlets, etc.)
- Monitor daily beach conditions and be aware of flag warnings. For a daily beach report, text ALBEACHES to 888777.
