Hurricane Sally a Cat. 2 hits over the Florida-Alabama line

Tropics
By WWL

The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Sally made landfall early this morning.

At 4:00am the center of the eye of Hurricane Sally was located south of Gulf Shores, Alabama.  It then moved inland.

"Sally is moving toward the north-northeast near 3 mph," the Hurricane Center advised.

The system got stronger overnight.

"Recent data from An Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft and the Mobile Alabama Doppler weather radar indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph with higher gusts."

That makes Sally a category two hurricane.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND----------------------

RAINFALL:  

Through this afternoon, Sally will produce additional rainfall totals of 8 to 12 inches with localized higher amounts possible along and just inland of the central Gulf Coast from west of Tallahassee, Florida to Mobile Bay, Alabama. Storm totals of 10 to 20 inches to isolated amounts of 35 inches is expected. Historic and catastrophic flooding is unfolding.  In addition, this rainfall will lead to widespread moderate to major river flooding.

Sally is forecast to turn northeastward after making landfall today and move across the Southeast through Friday, producing the following rainfall totals:

  • Southern and central Alabama to central Georgia: 4 to 8 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches. Significant flash and urban flooding is likely, as well as widespread minor to moderate flooding on some rivers.
  • Western South Carolina into western and central North Carolina: 4 to 6 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 9 inches. Widespread flash and urban flooding is possible, as well as minor to moderate river flooding.
  • Southeast Virginia: 2 to 5 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 7 inches. Scattered flash and urban flooding is possible, as well as scattered minor river flooding.

STORM SURGE:  

The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.  The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...

  • Dauphin Island AL to Okaloosa/Walton County FL Line...4-7 ft
  • Pensacola Bay and Choctawhatchee Bay FL...4-7 ft
  • Mobile Bay...2-4 ft
  • Okaloosa/Walton County Line to Walton/Bay County line FL...2-4 ft
  • MS/AL Border to Dauphin Island AL...2-4 ft
  • Walton/Bay County line to Chassahowitzka FL including Saint Andrew Bay...1-3 ft

WIND:  

Hurricane conditions are spreading onshore within the hurricane warning area in Florida and Alabama.  Tropical storm conditions will continue in portions of the warning areas through tonight.

TORNADOES:  

A few tornadoes may occur today and tonight across portions of the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama, and southwestern Georgia.

SURF:  

Swells from Sally will continue to affect the coast from the Florida Big Bend westward to southeastern Louisiana during the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.  Please consult products from your local weather office.