This product covers eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia **NEW TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR INLAND FLORIDA PANHANDLE AND LIBERTY, FRANKLIN, WAKULLA COUNTIES. A FLOOD WATCH WAS ISSUED FOR MOST OF THE TRI-STATE AREA** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Central Walton and North Walton - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Calhoun, Holmes, Inland Bay, Inland Franklin, Inland Gulf, Inland Wakulla, Jackson, Northern Liberty, Southern Liberty, and Washington * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Central Walton and North Walton - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Calhoun, Holmes, Inland Bay, Inland Franklin, Inland Gulf, Inland Wakulla, Jackson, Northern Liberty, Southern Liberty, and Washington - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Coastal Bay and South Walton - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Coastal Franklin, Coastal Gulf, Coastal Jefferson, and Coastal Wakulla - A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Coastal Taylor - A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for Coastal Dixie - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry, and Houston * STORM INFORMATION: - About 580 miles southwest of Walton Bay county line or about 580 miles southwest of Panama City - 23.3N 91.2W - Storm Intensity 80 mph - Movement East-northeast or 60 degrees at 9 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ At 5 AM ET, Hurricane Isaias was located in the southern Gulf with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph and moving ENE at 9 mph. There are overall no significant changes in the forecast reasoning from the previous advisory. Isaias is forecast to turn northward in the next day or so and accelerate in forward speed towards the central Gulf coast. Additional strengthening is anticipated through tonight, and may be near major hurricane strength prior to landfall. The wind field is expected to expand considerably and may be lopsided towards the east, which means impacts are likely well beyond the forecast cone, particularly east of the hurricane's center. Inland FL counties have now been upgraded from a Tropical Storm Watch to Warning, including Liberty, Franklin, and Wakulla Counties. Conditions could begin to deteriorate across the Florida Panhandle as early as Friday morning. Therefore, residents are urged to finalize their preparations today and early tomorrow. Given the expected large size of Isaias as it nears northern Gulf coast, the wind threat may extend well into the eastern portions of the Tri-state area. An expected fast forward speed may also lead to the wind threat extending further inland, especially near the core of the storm. A Storm Surge Warning remains in effect from the Steinhatchee River west to the Okaloosa/Walton County line. Life- threatening inundation values of 5 to 7 feet above normally dry ground are forecast across the coastal Panhandle to Indian Pass, 4 to 6 feet from Indian Pass to the Steinhatchee River, and 2 to 4 feet from the Steinhatchee River to Yankeetown, coincident with the high tide. The greatest surge risk will be Friday through Friday night. Soggy conditions across the region from recent rainfall will make much of the Tri-state area more sensitive to flooding from additional heavy rainfall from Isaias. Forecast rainfall totals of 3 to 7 inches is expected across much of the area, with isolated amounts of 10 or more inches. If realized, these values are likely to produce isolated to scattered flash flooding and some river flooding. Localized considerable flash flooding is also possible where bands of heavy rain move repeatedly over the same area. Given these factors, a Flood Watch was issued for counties west of the I- 75 corridor and Eastern FL Big Bend from Friday afternoon until Saturday evening. Isaias will also bring an elevated chance for several tornadoes across the Florida Panhandle and Western FL Big Bend on Friday into Saturday and Southeast AL & Southwest GA late Friday into Saturday. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across the Florida Panhandle, Southeast Alabama and parts of the Western Florida Big Bend & Southwest Georgia. 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. Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited to significant impacts across the Eastern Florida Big Bend and parts of South Central Georgia. * WIND: Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across the Florida Panhandle, Southwestern Florida Big Bend, and Southeast Alabama. 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, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across the Western Florida Big Bend and portions of far Southwestern Georgia. Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible extensive impacts across the coastal Florida Panhandle and Florida Big Bend. Potential impacts in this area include: - Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Large sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss. - Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded. Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * TORNADOES: Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across the Florida Panhandle, Western Florida Big Bend, Southeast Alabama and most of Southwest Georgia. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll. Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across the Eastern Florida Big Bend and parts of South Central Georgia. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city in which you are staying and the name of the county in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities. Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed evacuation orders issued by the local authorities. Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown! If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options. If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * 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 12 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT... A Tropical Storm Warning means tropical storm-force winds are expected somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours * LOCATIONS AFFECTED - Crawfordville - Wakulla Springs * WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Tropical storm force winds remain possible - Peak Wind Forecast: 10-15 mph with gusts to 30 mph - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 39 to 57 mph - The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: The sustained wind should remain less than tropical storm force. Conditions may still be gusty. - PREPARE: Listen for any instructions from local officials. - ACT: Ensure emergency readiness should the forecast change. - REALIZED IMPACTS: Being Assessed - Little to no additional wind impacts expected. Community officials are now assessing the extent of actual wind impacts accordingly. * STORM SURGE - No storm surge inundation forecast - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Little to no storm surge flooding - The storm surge threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: There is little to no threat of storm surge flooding. Rough surf, coastal erosion, and life-threatening rip currents are possible. - PREPARE: Little to no preparations for storm surge flooding are needed. - ACT: Follow the instructions of local officials. Monitor forecasts. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None - Little to no potential impacts from storm surge flooding. * FLOODING RAIN - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flood Watch is in effect - Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for moderate flooding rain - The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible. - PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. - ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, and ditches overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures. * TORNADO - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Situation is favorable for tornadoes - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for several tornadoes - The tornado threat has increased from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Plans should still include the potential for several tornadoes. - PREPARE: Keep informed should additional weather alerts be needed. - ACT: If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll. * FOR MORE INFORMATION: - Local Weather Conditions and Forecasts: NWS Tallahassee - https://www.weather.gov/tallahassee - Information from the Florida Division of Emergency Management - https://www.floridadisaster.org - Information from Wakulla County Emergency Management - http://www.wcso.org/emergency-management

Wakulla News

It's summertime, and the fishing is easy. But beware pinfish and rascally catfish

SAM BREWER Fishing Coach
Aug 7, 2026

The dog days of summer have settled here over Apalachee Bay. If you’ve fished here long enough, you know summer isn’t meant to be easy. The days are either hot or rainy, and the floating grass is testing our patience. Yet, it still feels full of promise.