Residents across Northwest Florida should prepare for severe weather Monday, with forecasters warning of potentially damaging wind gusts and a chance of tornadoes.
- The National Weather Service in Mobile/Pensacola has issued a severe storm alert for Monday morning through early afternoon, with storm risks covering Okaloosa County and surrounding areas.
According to Okaloosa Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox, the Storm Prediction Center has expanded the Enhanced Risk area to cover most of the region for a line of thunderstorms expected to intensify as it moves eastward.
“The main threat will be damaging winds in excess of 60 mph,” Maddox said in an email sent Sunday. “A few tornadoes are possible within the line as well.”
The storm system will begin in southeast Mississippi early Monday morning before progressing eastward through Northwest Florida during the early afternoon hours. Weather officials also expressed concern about potential flooding in Okaloosa County, particularly in coastal areas that received heavy rainfall Sunday evening.
- The Okaloosa County School District is also monitoring the storm. In a statement on Sunday night, the District said, “School will follow its regular schedule tomorrow. Once we have a better idea of the storm’s timing we will provide updates.”
