As of 1:30 P.M. October 9, 2018
Hurricane Michael is forecast to become a Major Hurricane (Category 3) as it nears the Florida coastline on Wednesday. Impacts to Central AL should be confined to areas mainly along and south of Interstate 85 Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday night and could include rainfall amounts of 2 – 4 inches and wind gusts of 30 – 45 mph.
As of now, Elmore County is expected to have only bands of rain and some gusty wind conditions. No significant impact is expected, but there is a close watch for any westward movement of the track. The track could shift slightly west or east, thus changing what impacts we may see drastically; from little to no impacts, to strong winds and some heavy rain bands.
NWS forecasters and our office will continue to monitor Hurricane Michael and we will provide updates on track, intensity and impacts we may see.
Below is a graphic and the latest Hurricane Statement from the National Weather Service in Birmingham:
Hurricane Michael Local Statement Advisory Number 12 ALZ011>015-017>050-092345- Hurricane Michael Local Statement Advisory Number 12 National Weather Service Birmingham AL AL142018 1038 AM CDT Tue Oct 9 2018 This product covers Central Alabama **Tropical Storm Force Winds May Impact Portions of Southeast Alabama** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Barbour and Pike * STORM INFORMATION: - About 590 miles south of Birmingham AL or about 510 miles south of Montgomery AL - 25.0N 86.2W - Storm Intensity 110 mph - Movement North or 350 degrees at 12 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Michael will continue to move toward the north, before turning northeast toward the Florida panhandle on Wednesday. The storm will likely be a category 3 hurricane at the time of landfall, but will rapidly weaken as it moves inland. There is a chance that our southeastern most counties could see a brief window of stronger winds on the northwest side of Michael. Heavy rains will also be a threat across the southeast counties as the storm moves inland. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts across Pike and Barbour Counties. Potential impacts in this area include: - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed. Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks. - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Large areas with power and communications outages. Also, prepare for dangerous wind having possible limited to significant impacts across areas southeast of Interstate 85. * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across Pike, Bullock, Barbour and Russell Counties. Potential impacts include: - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots. - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures. Elsewhere across Central Alabama, little to no impact is anticipated. * TORNADOES: Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across Central Alabama. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: WATCH/WARNING PHASE - For those not under evacuation orders, assess the risk from wind, falling trees, and flooding at your location. If you decide to move, relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do not relocate, help keep roadways open for those under evacuation orders. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: 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, plan to move to safe shelter. If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground. 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 information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Birmingham AL around 5 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$