The
National Hurricane Center is now issuing advisories on Tropical Storm Nate, located over northeastern Nicaragua and moving north toward the Gulf of Mexico. Escambia County Emergency Management is closely monitoring this system and participating in conference calls with the National Weather Service and State Emergency Operations Center.
This storm is currently moving quickly, so conditions can change rapidly. It is vital that residents
monitor our local media for the most up-to-date forecasts several times a day and follow any safety directives from Escambia County Emergency Management officials.
Weather Update from the National Weather Service in Mobile
- Tropical Storm Nate continues to slowly develop/strengthen over the southwest Caribbean Sea. The system is just inland of the coast of Nicaragua and will continue to interact with land today. This system is forecast to move north into the Gulf of Mexico and strengthen to a hurricane this weekend.
- There remains some uncertainty on the ultimate track of this system, but it is becoming more likely that the system will make landfall somewhere between the Louisiana and Alabama Gulf Coast. Impacts include the possibility of heavy rain, gusty winds, isolated tornadoes and coastal impacts (coastal flooding, high surf and dangerous rip currents) by this weekend. The approximate timing of any impacts would most likely be late Saturday through late Sunday.
- Nate is forecast to reach the northern Gulf Coast this weekend as a hurricane, and the threat of direct impacts from wind, storm surge, and heavy rainfall is increasing. However, it is too early to specify the exact timing, location, or magnitude of these.
Storm Preparation Actions you can Take Now
- Review/make your family plan. Need help? Read more on how to care for your family here.
- Know your zone. Look up your address online at http://bit.ly/2vGzR1R. You can search by address or parcel number and then look for the “Emergency Management Report.” The address function is self-populating, so type slowly and then choose the address from the drop down list.
- Restock your disaster kit supplies/get a kit. Your disaster kit should have at least three days of nonperishable food and three gallons of water for each person and pet in your home, along with other supplies. Click here to see our latest disaster kit shopping list.
- Prep your yard. As we are entering the height of hurricane season, it is also recommended that residents take a few minutes to inspect their home and yard. Check for, fix or remove loose items on your home and sheds. Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and down spouts. Trim trees and shrubs around your home.
- Stay informed. Things can change quickly. Be sure you take time every day to monitor the local media. Escambia County also has several tools available for our residents. Learn more here. Monitor local media and legitimate online and social media sources like Escambia County Emergency Management, US National Weather Service Mobile, NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center and Florida SERT.
