WEATHER UPDATE

Florida Outlook:

• Tropical Storm Harvey does not pose a direct threat to Florida.

• However, an increased risk for rip currents is expected along the Panhandle coast through at least

Friday.

• In addition, moisture from Harvey combined with a frontal boundary over northern Florida will elevate rain chances in the Panhandle and Big Bend today and through the end of the week.

• 2 to 6 inches of rain is forecast for the western Panhandle over the next 72 hours, with isolated higher amounts of 6 to 8 inches possible near the coast. Rainfall amounts further east should be less than 2 inches, though isolated locations in the central Panhandle could get as much as 4 inches.

• Intense rain over a short period of time could cause localized flooding of low-lying, urban, and poorly drained areas as well as ponding of water on roadways. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties through Thursday afternoon.

• Rivers in the western Panhandle have begun to rise, and some are forecast to rise into minor flood stage later this week. Additional heavy rainfall could lead to more rivers rising into minor flood stage.

• Elsewhere, rivers in western Central Florida are cresting or beginning to slowly fall. River Flood Warnings are in effect for 6 rivers. Additional rainfall amounts should be less than 2 inches over the next couple days.

• Tropical Storm Irma does not pose a threat to Florida within the next 7 days, but it should be closely monitored.

Mitch Smeykal, FPEM CEM

Director,

Okeechobee County Emergency Management