The City of Destin is monitoring the path of Tropical Storm Nate. Staff is securing public property and making sure storm drains are clear. Residents and businesses are asked to also begin making preparations in the event the storm impacts our area. Please refer the our Hurricane Information Guide for tips on what you can do to prepare. Below are a few things to keep in mind are you prepare:
- ENSURE YOUR ASSETS ARE PROTECTED
- Inventory your home possessions and videotape, record or photograph items of value. Review your insurance policies before hurricane seasons starts to ensure you have adequate coverage. Once a hurricane watch has been issued, insurers will not issue new or additional coverage.
- ASSESS YOUR HOME FOR VULNERABLE AREAS
- Do a walk-through of your home and property to evaluate your roof, windows, garage door, landscaping, etc. and determine what actions you will need to take to make your home safe.
- DO NOT CUT LIMBS AND BRANCHES IF A HURRICANE IMPACT IS IMMINENT
- If debris cannot be collected before a storm hits the debris can become dangerous projectiles in strong winds. It is important to clear debris from your home year round and not wait until there is a hurricane threat.
- PREVENT FLOODING
- Do not dump or throw anything into ditches, swales or outfalls. Even grass clippings and branches can accumulate and plug drain channels.
- SECURE YOUR HOME
- Decide what actions you will need to take to protect your home and your property (shutters, generator, etc.), and to keep as comfortable as possible during a recovery. Put up shutters, if you have them. Turn refrigerator to lowest setting and lower the air conditioner. Recharge batteries before the power goes out. Place flashlights and batteries throughout the house and keep one with you. Do not use candles.
Remember to watch your trusted sources for weather information, and to stay tuned to the city's website, www.cityofdestin.com, as well as the city's Facebook Page, City of Destin Government, for city updates. The city recommends following the National Weather Service for accurate storm updates.
The 2017 Destin Seafood Festival has been CANCELED. Find out more about this on their Facebook Page.
Below is the latest from Okaloosa County Public Safety. You can view their updated reports here.
TROPICAL FORECAST:
The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on recently upgraded Tropical Storm Nate, located over northeastern Nicaragua.
A non-tropical area of low pressure is in the Florida Straits centered about 50 miles southwest of Key West. This low is interacting with an upper-level low to produce a broad area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms across southern Florida, the northwestern Bahamas, central Cuba, and the adjacent Atlantic waters. Upper-level winds are forecast to be unfavorable for tropical cyclone formation while the system moves west-northwestward over the eastern Gulf of Mexico during the next day or two. However, locally heavy rainfall, some coastal flooding, and strong gusty winds, especially in squalls, are likely over portions of the Bahamas and Florida during the next couple of days.
* Formation chance through 48 hours low near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days low near 0 percent.
An area of low pressure is forecast to form on a frontal boundary in a few days about 900 miles southwest of the Azores. This low could acquire some subtropical or tropical characteristics early next week while it remains nearly stationary over the northeastern Atlantic Ocean.
* Formation chance through 48 hours low near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days low 20 percent.