NW Florida "Local Statement"

Just before 8 a.m. the National Hurricane Center issued a Local Warning Statement for Northwest Florida that may at long last bring to an end the inexplicable dithering of emergency officials in Pensacola and at Pensacola Beach.

The statement reads in pertinent part:

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...RESIDENTS OF ...NORTHWEST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI NEED TO MAKE PREPARATIONS TODAY FOR A MAJOR LAND-FALLING HURRICANE ALONG THE EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA OR SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COAST MONDAY AFTERNOON. HURRICANE AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS WILL LIKELY OCCUR WELL EAST OF THE STORM CENTER ...ALONG WITH MODERATE TO HIGH STORM TIDES ALONG THE ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA COASTAL AREAS. ANY EVACUATION DECISIONS FOR COASTAL ALABAMA AND FLORIDA ARE EXPECTED TO BE MADE SOON.

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KATRINA IS EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL SOMEWHERE NEAR SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA AS A MAJOR HURRICANE. WHILE THE EXACT LOCATION OF LANDFALL IS STILL UNCERTAIN AT THIS TIME...A SIGNIFICANT AND LIFE THREATENING STORM TIDE IS EXPECTED TO BE FELT WELL EAST OF THE STORM'S CENTER.

A STORM TIDE OF 6 TO 8 FEET IS EXPECTED ALONG THE EXTREME NORTHWEST FLORIDA COASTLINE. TIDAL WATERS WERE REPORTED WASHING OVER SANTA ROSA ISLAND THIS MORNING.

The statement adds that winds "around 15 to 20 mph" inland and "20 to 30 mph" nearer the Norhtwest Florida coast "with higher gusts" can be expected Sunday afternoon.