Tropical Storm — Coastal Walton, Florida

2009-11-09 to 2009-11-11 · Coastal Walton, Florida

Wider weather episode

Ida, a Category Two hurricane, weakened as it approached the northern Gulf Coast on November 9. It came ashore over the western Florida Panhandle coast about 30 miles east-southeast of Mobile, Alabama during the morning of November 10. Ida then became extratropical and moved northeast across central Alabama and northern Georgia during the next 24 to 36 hours. Both the maximum sustained wind (38 knots) and peak wind gust (49 knots) were recorded at Buoy 42039, located 80 miles south of Panama City, Florida. Rainfall totals from 0700 LST November 9th through 0700 LST November 11th varied from one to two inches over the Florida Big Bend, to three to five inches over the Florida Panhandle. Storm tides along the coast ranged from three to five feet, along with minor beach erosion. Coastal and inland flooding closed several roads, with county schools and non-essential government offices also closed on November 10. Power outages from downed trees and power lines affected portions of Bay, Gulf, Leon, Franklin and Wakulla counties. The Walton County EOC issued a voluntary evacuation for residents in low-lying areas and mobile homes. One family was evacuated from Alligator Point. A Gulf County home was damaged by a fallen tree. A local state of emergency was declared in Wakulla County.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 200420. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.