Special Marine Warning Issued for Florida Coastal Waters and Apalachee Bay Through Sunday Afternoon

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a Special Marine Warning for multiple coastal and offshore zones in the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend regions. The alert is effective immediately following the detection of severe thunderstorms by radar.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following maritime regions:

• Apalachee Bay and Coastal Waters: From Keaton Beach to Ochlockonee River FL out to 20 NM.
• Coastal Waters: From Ochlockonee River to Apalachicola FL out to 20 NM; Mexico Beach to Apalachicola out 20 NM; and Suwannee River to Keaton Beach out 20 NM.
• Offshore Waters: From Mexico Beach to Apalachicola FL (20 to 60 NM) and Suwannee River to Apalachicola FL (20 to 60 NM).

Specific locations impacted include Buckeye Reef, O Tower, K Tower, S Tower, V Tower, Horseshoe Beach, C Tower, and Marker 24 Barge.

What You Should Do

Mariners are urged to move to safe harbor immediately and remain there until hazardous weather conditions pass. Thunderstorms can produce sudden waterspouts that can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. All personnel on board vessels should be in a secure location and wearing life jackets. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect for the Big Bend Florida area and adjacent coastal waters until 4:00 PM EST.

Expected Conditions

Radar indicated severe thunderstorms located along a line extending from 13 nm southeast of St. Marks to near V Tower, moving east at 25 knots. Expected hazards include:

• Waterspouts: Capable of quickly forming and capsizing boats or damaging vessels.
• Wind: Gusts in excess of 34 knots.
• Seas: Suddenly higher waves.
• Additional Hazards: Frequent lightning and heavy downpours.

Timeline

The Special Marine Warning is effective as of 1:21 PM EST on February 15 and is currently scheduled to expire at 4:15 PM EST (3:15 PM CST).