Tropical Storm Fay: Authorities issue advisory

As of 11 a.m. Friday, the national Hurricane Center’s tracking map of Tropical Storm Fay indicates it will hit our area about 7 p.m. Saturday.

Yesterday workers at Eglin Air Force Base received an advisory from the base weather squadron that said, “expect showers and thunderstorms to begin on Friday evening with an increase in rainfall on Saturday and Sunday, and accumulations of several inches through the weekend.”

The advisory said to be alert for windy conditions, with highest sustained winds expected between 23 and 29 mph. Gusts may reach 40 mph Saturday and into Sunday, the advisory stated.

An advisory issued Thursday afternoon by Okaloosa County authorities said, “At this time Fay is not anticipated to increase above Tropical Storm status, however as a slow moving storm we are anticipating and are planning for unprecedented rainfall.”

To help mitigate flooding in flood-prone areas, the advisory said, “use good judgment with regards to placing yard waste and household garbage out for collection. As in Central Florida, we anticipate that some roads will be flooded during and immediately after the storm passes through our area. Yard waste can easily be blown around and end up in storm drains, increasing the possibility of flooding.”

The advisory also said Waste Management requested that residents “not place their cart and cans out on Monday unless the storm has passed and it is safe to do so. At this time we are anticipating running the Friday and Saturday routes, however it has not been determined if we will be able to operate on Monday.”

Follow the storm's progress here.