North Florida is still feeling the effects of the severe storm and flooding event. Moderate to light showers may continue, as a cold front draped across the Big Bend slowly pushes eastward throughout the day stalling in Northeast Florida by the evening hours. This front will stir up moderate to light showers across the Florida Panhandle with accumulated rainfall totals near ¼ to ½ inch with isolated areas getting up to an inch of rain.
As of 1:30 pm EDT
Severe Weather Potential: By Friday morning, a passing cold front will have sagged south into the North-Central Peninsula. However, a passing upper level weather disturbance will create another day of scattered showers and storms across North Florida. Current rain chances for Friday are at 50% across the Western Panhandle, increasing to near 80% in the Big Bend and 60% to 70% in the Suwannee River Valley and Northeast Florida. Rain will clear from west to east across the Panhandle throughout Friday and Friday night and an additional ¼ inch of rain is forecast to fall in the Western Panhandle, ½ to 1.5 inches in the Big Bend, and up to 2 inches across the Suwannee River Valley and Nature Coast by Friday night.
River Flood Warning: Apalachicola, Shoal, St. Marks, Aucilla, Suwanee, Chipola, Choctawhatchee, Big Coldwater Creek, Blackwater, Escambia, Santa Fe and Perdido rivers.
High risk of rip currents: High rip current risk remains in effect through this evening for the beaches of the Big Bend and Panhandle. Rip currents can be life threatening to anyone entering the water. Be sure to check the beach warning flags before swimming.
Florida Summary:
Florida’s State Emergency Operations Center remains partially activated in response to flooding in North Florida. It remains important for Floridians to stay cognizant of the developing weather situation and take necessary preparedness and safety actions. Tips are available at www.FloridaDisaster.org.
Shelters open: Escambia and Santa Rosa. Visit www.floridadisaster.org/shelters/summary.htm for details.
State road and bridge closures: Visit to www.dot.state.fl.us and FL511.com for more information.
Total power outages: 667 customers.
For local details, contact your county emergency management agency.
For additional information about severe weather in Florida, and to Get A Plan, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org, follow FDEM on social media on Twitter at @FLSERT, Instagram @FloridaSERT, Vine @FloridaSERT, Pinterest FloridaSERT and Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FloridaSERT and www.Facebook.com/KidsGetAPlan.