Just reading there is a structure fire in downtown Gulfport but the street is flooded so they can't get to it.
That’s a Hurricane Michael wind speed. The storm appears to be aimed at Steinhatchee. I pray everyone evacuated from there, and Keaton Beach, and Suwannee and all points in between.
...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HURRICANE HELENE NEARING THE NORTHEAST GULF COAST... ...CATASTROPHIC STORM SURGE AND LIFE-THREATENING WINDS EXPECTED IN THE FLORIDA BIG BEND AREA... SUMMARY OF 800 PM EDT...0000 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...28.7N 84.3W ABOUT 80 MI...125 KM WSW OF CEDAR KEY FLORIDA ABOUT 115 MI...190 KM S OF TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...130 MPH...215 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 25 DEGREES AT 23 MPH...37 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE....942 MB..27.82 INCHES Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 310 miles (500 km). Albert Whitted airport in St. Petersburg, Florida reported a sustained wind of 53 mph (85 km/h) with a gust to 76 mph (122 km/h).
STORM SURGE: The combination of a life-threatening storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide... Carrabelle, FL to Suwannee River, FL...15-20 ft Apalachicola, FL to Carrabelle, FL...10-15 ft Suwannee River, FL to Chassahowitzka, FL...10-15 ft Chassahowitzka, FL to Anclote River, FL...8-12 ft Indian Pass, FL to Apalachicola, FL...6-10 ft Anclote River, FL to Middle of Longboat Key, FL...5-8 ft Tampa Bay...5-8 ft Middle of Longboat Key, FL to Englewood, FL...4-7 ft East of Mexico Beach, FL to Indian Pass, FL...3-5 ft Englewood, FL to Flamingo, FL...3-5 ft Charlotte Harbor...3-5 ft
from another site: The French Broad River (river that flows through Asheville NC) is forecast to crest more than 10 feet above the previous record at Fletcher, which is in the southern part of the metro.
I have been reading the various hurricane warnings for Florida cities. The most severe wind predictions are for Perry. Weather Alerts for Perry, FL - The Weather Channel | Weather.com WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Cat 3 Hurricane force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 95-115 mph with gusts to 135 mph - Window for Tropical Storm force winds: until early Friday morning - Window for Hurricane force winds: until early Friday morning - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind greater than 110 mph - The wind threat has increased from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Plan for extreme wind of equivalent CAT 3 hurricane force or higher. - PREPARE: Last minute efforts should solely focus on protecting life. The area remains subject to catastrophic wind damage. - ACT: Now is the time to shelter from life-threatening wind. Be ready to move to the safest place inside your shelter if necessary.
This is the forecast for Tallahassee Weather Alerts for Tallahassee, FL - The Weather Channel | Weather.com WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Tropical Storm force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 35-45 mph with gusts to 75 mph - Window for Tropical Storm force winds: until early Friday morning - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind greater than 110 mph - The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Plan for extreme wind of equivalent CAT 3 hurricane force or higher. - PREPARE: Last minute efforts should solely focus on protecting life. The area remains subject to catastrophic wind damage. - ACT: Now is the time to shelter from life-threatening wind. Be ready to move to the safest place inside your shelter if necessary.
Apalachicola LOCATIONS AFFECTED - Apalachicola - Eastpoint - Carrabelle - Alligator Point WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Strong Tropical Storm force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 50-65 mph with gusts to 95 mph - Window for Tropical Storm force winds: until early Friday morning - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind greater than 110 mph - The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Plan for extreme wind of equivalent CAT 3 hurricane force or higher. - PREPARE: Last minute efforts should solely focus on protecting life. The area remains subject to catastrophic wind damage. - ACT: Now is the time to shelter from life-threatening wind. Be ready to move to the safest place inside your shelter if necessary. Weather Alerts for Apalachicola, FL - The Weather Channel | Weather.com
Keaton Beach - Steinhatchee WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Cat 2 Hurricane force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 90-110 mph with gusts to 130 mph - Window for Tropical Storm force winds: until early Friday morning - Window for Hurricane force winds: until early Friday morning - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind greater than 110 mph - The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Plan for extreme wind of equivalent CAT 3 hurricane force or higher. - PREPARE: Last minute efforts should solely focus on protecting life. The area remains subject to catastrophic wind damage. - ACT: Now is the time to shelter from life-threatening wind. Be ready to move to the safest place inside your shelter if necessary. Weather Alerts for Steinhatchee, FL - The Weather Channel | Weather.com