This product covers eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia

**NEW TROPICAL STORM WATCHES FOR THE COAST OF APALACHEE BAY AND THE
SOUTHEAST BIG BEND**

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Coastal Dixie,
Coastal Franklin, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal
Wakulla, Inland Dixie, Inland Taylor, and Lafayette

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Coastal Dixie, Coastal
Franklin, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Wakulla,
Inland Dixie, Inland Taylor, and Lafayette

* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 710 miles southwest of Apalachicola or about 770 miles
southwest of Suwannee River
- 22.1N 92.6W
- Storm Intensity 100 mph
- Movement East-southeast or 105 degrees at 8 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

At 5 AM EDT, Hurricane Milton was intensifying over the southwestern
Gulf of Mexico, and is forecast to become a major hurricane later
today. Milton is forecast to make landfall along the Florida west
coast Wednesday or Thursday as a major hurricane.

While Milton is currently a small hurricane, as it approaches and
cross the Florida Peninsula, the wind field is forecast to grow
larger. In addition, it will begin interacting with a cold front,
which will help increase winds on the northwest side of the
circulation. Thus, a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued along the
coast of Apalachee Bay from Indian Pass eastward and into the
southeast Big Bend. Note that gusty winds that may not reach tropical
storm strength could still hamper recovery efforts from Helene and
cause additional damage to weakened trees or structures.

In addition to the wind threat, heavy rainfall will be possible across
the southeast Big Bend. As Milton interacts with the cold front, a
band of heavy rain may materialize that could produce 4 to 7 inches of
rain, potentially locally higher, across the lower Suwannee Valley.
This could result in some localized flash flooding. There will be a
very sharp cutoff in the rain on the northwestern side of the rain.

Tornadoes and storm surge are currently not a concern with the
forecast track of Milton. However, storm surge will be highly track
dependent. Any shifts in the track northward may bring a storm surge
threat into the southern areas of Apalachee Bay.

Dangerous marine conditions are also expected with building waves and
strengthening winds. This will result in high surf and deadly rip
currents along all area beaches for much of this week.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* WIND:
Prepare for dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across
the southeast big bend. Potential impacts in this area include:
- 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. A few bridges, causeways, and access
routes impassable.
- Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
in areas with above ground lines.

Also, prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across the coast of Apalachee Bay extending westward to Indian Pass.

Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend,
southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is
anticipated.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across the southeast big bend. Potential
impacts include:
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
multiple places. Small streams, creeks, and ditches may become
dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become
stressed.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend,
southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is
anticipated.

* SURGE:
Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
across Apalachee Bay. Potential impacts in this area include:
- Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
- Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
surge water covers the road.
- Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
- Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.

Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend,
southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is
anticipated.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your
home or business.

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging
wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the
center of the storm.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news
outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes
to the forecast.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Tallahassee FL around 11 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.