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Near Record High Temperatures, Low Afternoon Humidity Values, and Worsening Drought Creating Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions Throughout the Florida Peninsula...Few Strong Thunderstorms Possible on Sunday Evening Across North Florida...Moderate Risk for Rip Currents Along the Western Panhandle and East Central Florida Beaches...

Updated 1:15 PM EDT Sunday

A cold front meandering through the southeastern United States may push thunderstorm activity that develops over Georgia and Alabama on Sunday afternoon southward into north Florida during the evening and overnight hours. Although thunderstorm coverage will be isolated, a few strong thunderstorms will be possible with frequent lightning strikes, gusty winds and small hail being the primary threats. A ridge of high pressure will continue to dominate the weather pattern across the Florida peninsula ahead of this cold front. Mostly sunny skies will again allow temperatures to climb into the middle 90s in interior sections of the Florida peninsula. Elsewhere, high temperatures will range from the mid 80s along the immediate panhandle coast to the lower 90s for most interior locations. Mixed smoke and fog may reduce visibilities near existing wildfires in the peninsula later tonight through early Monday morning. Lows tonight will range from the mid 60s in interior north and north central Florida to the 70s elsewhere.

Hot temperatures will coincide with relative humidity values falling below critical thresholds on Sunday afternoon throughout interior areas of the Florida peninsula, where Red Flag Warnings are posted. Severe to extreme drought conditions continue to expand throughout the Florida peninsula. Drought conditions combined with near record high temperatures and critically low afternoon humidity values will promote dangerous wildfire weather conditions throughout the Florida peninsula until significant and consistent rainfall amounts return to the region. Residents and visitors to Florida are encouraged to be Firewise and practice fire safety during any outdoor activities.

An easterly swell will keep a moderate risk of rip currents in place today along the east central Florida beaches. Onshore winds and large tidal ranges will also create a moderate risk for rip currents along the western Florida panhandle beaches. Please click here for your Florida beach destination forecast from the National Weather Service.

The cold front moving through the southeastern United States on Sunday will push into north Florida by Monday afternoon. Scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms will develop along this boundary, and isolated thunderstorms may become strong or severe, with frequent lightning strikes, damaging wind gusts and heavy downpours being the main threats. The Storm Prediction Center has placed portions of north Florida in a slight risk for severe thunderstorm activity on Monday. To the south of this boundary, hot weather will continue over interior sections of the Florida peninsula with only isolated late afternoon and evening thundershowers developing along colliding sea breeze boundaries.

To access the latest watches, warnings, and advisories from the National Weather Service for your county, please click here.

Weather Images Courtesy of Weather Services International

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Florida Issued by the National Weather Service. This link contains watches, warnings and advisories that are in effect for Florida. This file is usually updated about every two minutes.

Red Flag Warning - Marion (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T07:08:00 Expired At: 2009-05-10T22:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jax/

Red Flag Warning - Inland Volusia (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T08:02:00 Expired At: 2009-05-11T00:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/

Red Flag Warning - Sumter (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T18:25:00 Expired At: 2009-05-11T00:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tbw/

Red Flag Warning - Northern Lake (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T08:02:00 Expired At: 2009-05-11T00:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/

Red Flag Warning - Orange (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T08:02:00 Expired At: 2009-05-11T00:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/

Red Flag Warning - Seminole (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T08:02:00 Expired At: 2009-05-11T00:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/

Red Flag Warning - Hernando (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T18:25:00 Expired At: 2009-05-11T00:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tbw/

Red Flag Warning - Pasco (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T18:25:00 Expired At: 2009-05-11T00:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tbw/

Red Flag Warning - Hillsborough (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T18:25:00 Expired At: 2009-05-11T00:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tbw/

Red Flag Warning - Polk (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T18:25:00 Expired At: 2009-05-11T00:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tbw/

Red Flag Warning - Osceola (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T08:02:00 Expired At: 2009-05-11T00:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/

Red Flag Warning - Manatee (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T18:25:00 Expired At: 2009-05-11T00:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tbw/

Red Flag Warning - Hardee (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T18:25:00 Expired At: 2009-05-11T00:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tbw/

Red Flag Warning - Highlands (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T18:25:00 Expired At: 2009-05-11T00:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tbw/

Red Flag Warning - Okeechobee (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T08:02:00 Expired At: 2009-05-11T00:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/

Short Term Forecast - Okeechobee (Florida) Short Term Forecast Issued At: 2009-05-10T19:34:00 Expired At: 2009-05-10T21:20:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/

Short Term Forecast - St. Lucie (Florida) Short Term Forecast Issued At: 2009-05-10T19:34:00 Expired At: 2009-05-10T21:20:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/

Red Flag Warning - De Soto (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T18:25:00 Expired At: 2009-05-11T00:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tbw/

Red Flag Warning - Charlotte (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T18:25:00 Expired At: 2009-05-11T00:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tbw/

Fire Weather Watch - Glades (Florida) URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-05-10T18:53:00 Expired At: 2009-05-12T00:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/newpage/index.html

National Weather Service

SEOC Activates to Level 2 For Health Alert

The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) has activated to a Level 2 due to a public health emergency issued by the Surgeon General of Florida for Swine Flu.

Please visit the Department of Health's Swine Flu information page for updates concerning the flu.

Holmes And Washington Counties’ Disaster Recovery Centers Closing; Helpline Available

The Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Holmes and Washington counties will close at 6 p.m. this Saturday, May 9.

It’s not mandatory to go to a DRC, but survivors of the storms that began March 26 may visit any of the 10 DRCs remaining, or call FEMA’s toll-free registration and Helpline to discuss the status of their FEMA application. Call FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for those with a speech- or hearing-impairment. Representatives are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

The remaining DRCs will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week, including this Sunday, Mother’s Day, until further notice.

DRCs CLOSING AT 6 P.M. SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009:

DRCs THAT REMAIN OPEN IN THE 14 DESIGNATED COUNTIES:

Holmes and Washington Counties' DRCs To Close Release
Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Dixie and Jackson Counties Release
Read More Information About the Disaster Recovery Centers Release
Here’s How To Apply For Federal-State Storm Assistance
Read Four New Disaster Recovery Centers Open Release
Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Libery and Walton Counties Release

Community Relations Specialists Contacting Survivors Of Storms, Flooding That Started In March

In an effort to help people recover from the late March storms, tornadoes and flooding that struck north Florida, Community Relations specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) are in the field seeking to contact storm survivors throughout the area to assist in the recovery process.

Team members are reminding people that it is necessary to apply to FEMA for assistance in order to be considered eligible for help. There are two easy ways to begin the application process. One is to call FEMA’s toll-free number, 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for the hearing- and speech-impaired. Both lines are active from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time seven days a week. Multilingual operators are also available to answer calls. Residents with Internet access also have the option to register on FEMA’s web site at www.disasterassistance.gov where valuable recovery information is also available. Applicants can also review the status of an application at that site.

Read More About Specialists Help For Survivors Release

12 North Florida Counties Added for Individual Assistance

Governor Charlie Crist announced that 12 North Florida counties have been approved to receive Individual Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as a result of the severe storms and flood events occurring from March 26, 2009 and continuing today.

“This news is welcome relief for our fellow Floridians who are picking up the pieces and beginning the recovery process as the flood waters recede,” said Governor Crist. “We greatly appreciate the favorable response from FEMA to our additional request.”

People in Calhoun, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Lafayette, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Walton and Washington counties who were affected by the storms are now eligible for individual assistance. Additional counties may be added in the future once assessments are completed for Individual and Public Assistance.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program can help eligible applicants with temporary housing assistance, uninsured personal property and medical, dental, and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, along with other disaster-related experiences and serious needs.

Anyone who suffered damages in any of the designated counties may complete an online application at www.disasterassistance.gov or apply by phone by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for the hearing or speech-impaired. The toll-free numbers are available seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m eastern time. until further notice. Help in other languages is available.

Individual Assistance Release

Important Health and Safety Tips for Floridians Impacted by Flooding

The Department of Health has issued the following guidelines to communities impacted by flooding.

• Alert to private well owners in flooded areas
• Health risks from displaced animals
• Commonly asked questions regarding boil water advisories
• Carbon monoxide dangers
• Frequently asked questions about carbon monoxide
• Flood waters pose health risks
• Flooding
• Precautions for food safety
• Mold in water-damaged buildings
• Risks to water supply due to storm
• Mosquito-borne illnesses
• If your well is flooded
• Tetanus for individuals who suffer wounds
• Wound care and preventing wound infections in disaster events

Visit the Flood Information Center for more Safety and Prevention Tips.

NOAA Weather Radio

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

KidsGetAPlan.Com Website Launched

Florida Emergency Management has launched a new, interactive website: www.kidsgetaplan.com as part of the 2009 Kids Weather Survival Week activities.

Developed by the Division and i.d.e.a.s., the family-friendly site is designed to give all students (K through 6), teachers and residents; free downloadable information, educational activities and stories on Florida weather hazards. .

Florida Emergency Management Launches Daily Reports on YouTube

Beginning today residents and emergency officials can now receive daily situation reports produced by the Florida Division of Emergency Management online via the worldwide web service YouTube, keywords: “Florida SERT” available at http://www.youtube.com/FloridaSERT.

Read Full Article About Florida Emergency Management Videos on YouTube

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Updated:
May 8, 2009 10:20