Dothan, Alabama

... Flood Watch in effect from Friday evening through Sunday
evening...

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a

* Flood Watch for portions of southeast Alabama and Florida...
including the following areas... in southeast Alabama...
Coffee... Dale... Geneva... Henry and Houston. In Florida... Bay...
Calhoun... coastal Walton... Gulf... Holmes... inland Walton...
Jackson and Washington.

* From Friday evening through Sunday evening

* Tropical Storm Fay is forecast to come ashore once again
tonight... this time into northeast Florida. Fay will then track
west northwest across North Florida on Thursday and weaken to a
depression just before reaching the lower Suwannee River
Thursday night. The depression will then track across the
Florida Big Bend on Friday and then across the Panhandle into
southeast Alabama by Saturday morning.

* Fay is expected to bring an extended period of heavy rain to the
area beginning Friday evening and continuing into Sunday
evening. Storm total rainfall could reach 6 to 10 inches across
inland portions of the Florida Panhandle. Amounts are currently
forecast to be lower over southeast Alabama where 5 to 7 inches
are possible. This much rainfall will cause areal and riverine
flooding despite the prolonged drought that has existed across
parts of the area for some time.

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on
current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert
for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to
flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding
develop.


18-wool

... Tropical Storm Fay moving through inland northeast Florida...
... Fay to bring locally heavy rains to the region...

... New information...

Tropical Storm Fay will continue moving inland across North
Florida and approach the coastal waters of Apalachee Bay on Friday
evening.

... Areas affected...

This statement recommends actions to be taken by persons in the
following counties... Coffee... Dale... Henry... Geneva... Houston... Walton
... Holmes... Washington... Jackson... Bay... Calhoun... Gulf.

... Watches/warnings...

A Flood Watch is in effect for the area from Friday evening
through Sunday evening.

... Precautionary/preparedness actions...

The main threat from Fay will be the potential of considerable
flooding. This threat is greatest in the Florida Panhandle
and extreme southern portions of southeast Alabama. If you live
in a low lying area... make preparations to move to higher ground
if flooding occurs. If necessary... secure sandbags to protect your
property.

... Winds...

Sustained winds of 25 to 30 mph will be possible across the
region on Friday evening. Some of the stronger rain bands may produce
wind gusts up to 40 mph... or minimal tropical storm force in the
overnight hours.

... Inland flooding...

Significant heavy rainfall will be the dominant threat from
Tropical Storm Fay. The potential exists for rainfall amounts in
excess of 10 inches near the Gulf Coast with 8 to 10 inches along
the Interstate 10 corridor. Amounts of 6 to 8 inches will be
possible in the southeast Alabama counties near the Florida
border. Rainfall amounts further north into southeast Alabama will
be around 4 to 6 inches. This will likely cause moderate flooding
of low lying areas... especially where heavier rainfall occurs.
River flooding may occur in the days ahead as heavy rainfall
occurring over South Alabama filters down into the rivers.

... Tornadoes...

An isolated tornado threat exists for tomorrow evening and
Saturday as Fay moves across the region.

... Next update...

This statement will be updated by 12 am EDT Friday... or sooner if
conditions warrant.