Search
Close this search box.

COUNTY: “This is a slow moving Category 2 hurricane with the potential to strengthen further”

According to the 6:45pm update from Okaloosa County, Hurricane Sally is currently about 100 miles South of the coast with 100 MPH max sustained winds, moving WNW at 6 MPH. […]

via WeatherNerds

According to the 6:45pm update from Okaloosa County, Hurricane Sally is currently about 100 miles South of the coast with 100 MPH max sustained winds, moving WNW at 6 MPH.

“This is a slow moving Category 2 hurricane with the potential to strengthen further,” said Okaloosa County Emergency Management. “Landfall on the current track is projected to be along the Mississippi-Alabama line as a strong Category 2 storm.”

A Hurricane Warning is in effect to the Santa Rosa/Okaloosa line and a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for our area.

A Storm Surge Warning of 2-4 feet is in effect for our area.

“Heavy rain is just off-shore and will move in-land this evening along with increasing winds,” they continued. “Sustained Tropical Storm Force winds are possible along the immediate coast and frequent gusts to 50 MPH are likely in-land.”

Rainfall of 8-10” will be common across the county, with pockets of 10-15” with higher values possible in areas of training thunderstorms.

Flood values on the rivers have been fluctuating up and down, according to OCEM, as well as timing of peek flood values, with different sources presenting varying values.

“We will re-run this data in the AM and push out any messaging to affected residents,” said OCEM. “We have secured some non-congregate sheltering for residents in areas which would require evacuation with the current data – earliest timing of mid-day Wednesday, but other data showing Thursday.

The county will re-evaluate in the morning to incorporate and overnight changes in track and intensity.

PROMOTION

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“My humble opinion is that we need the steady logical input from Brett Hinley for Okaloosa school board district 5. He’s a native of Niceville, went to school here and...”
Respond
Scott Schaeffler commented on WordroW: July 30, 2026
“2:34, 6 attempts”
Respond
“How wonderful it would be if you left it 'old school' - a slice of Old Florida Experience. I'm fearful that what Hgifford says might be the future.”
Respond
“Dr. Diane, I have been on the sidelines of your career for many years . You are an inspiration for women in many careers. Offering you many well wishes for...”
Respond
“I miss Demetriu’s friendly face and lively personality at the Magnolia Clinic. Every time I drive through the intersection where the accident happened I just say a prayer for Demetrius...”
Respond
“I hope the motel will be renovated, but having lived here since 1955, I have seen this before: keep the locals happy by saying renovate. But, in reality, it will...”
Respond
“Demetrius's absence is still deeply felt by the patients of the clinic where he worked for many years.”
Respond
“This was such devastating news the day we lost Demetrius! He was so loved by so many in the community! Gone but never forgotten ! This guy should get life...”
Respond
“Dimitrius was a very loved person by so many citizens of Ft. Walton Beach. He will never be replaced. He is dearly missed by so many.”
Respond

GET OUR FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER

Get the weekday email that actually makes reading local news enjoyable again.