Tropical Storm Sally: What Alabamians Should Know

MOBILE, AL — Tropical Storm Sally, brewing off the Gulf of Mexico coast, is expected to reach hurricane strength by Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center. Sally is expected to impact the coasts of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

Sally has 40 mph winds, and was centered 30 miles south of Naples, Florida as of Saturday afternoon. According to the NHS, strengthening is likely as it moves into the open water of the Gulf of Mexico, and Sally will be near the mouth of the Mississippi River Monday night with 85 mph winds; from there it turns northward and moves into South Mississippi.

Sally is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches across the Florida Panhandle, and 6 to 12 inches with isolated amounts of 18 inches over the Central Gulf Coast (including the Alabama coast) from Sunday into the middle of next week.

Sally will be a slow moving system that will continue to produce heavy rainfall and considerable flooding near the central Gulf Coast through the middle of next week, according to the NHC. Flash, urban and rapid onset flooding along small streams and minor to moderate flooding on rivers is likely.

Meteorologist James Spann said the remnant circulation will move into Central Alabama Thursday.

"Don’t focus on the exact details of the track or intensity forecast as the average NHC track error at 96 hours is around 150 miles and the average intensity error is around 15 mph," Spann said Saturday afternoon. "In addition, winds, storm surge, and rainfall hazards will extend far from the center."

Spann said rain amounts of 2-5 inches are possible over inland parts of Alabama south of U.S. 84, and amounts of 2 to 3 inches are expected in the central part of the state, with 1-2 inches for North Alabama over the next five days.

What about people's vacation plans to the Gulf coast?

"I would not want to be on Dauphin Island Monday or Tuesday due to storm surge flooding," Spann said. "Otherwise, conditions will be wet and windy on the coast from Gulf Shores to Panama City Beach Monday and Tuesday and some flooding is possible, especially along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Different people go to the beach for different reasons, so I can’t really answer those questions, just take this information and make a decision that is best for your family."