Tornado warning issued for Walton County

7:18 a.m. CDT: A tornado warning has been issued for Walton County until 6:45 a.m. CDT.

At 6:17 a.m. CDT, a severe thunderstorm with the potential to produce a tornado was observed near Destin, moving northeast at 30 mph.

Tornado warning extended for several counties in the Florida Panhandle

5:53 a.m. CDT: A tornado warning is in effect until 1:00 p.m. CDT for the following counties:

• bay

• Calhoun

• Escambia

• Franklin

• golf

• Holmes

• Jackson

• Freedom

• Okaloosa

• Santa Rosa

• Wakulla

• Walton

• Washington

PREVIOUS HISTORY:

A tornado warning has been issued for three counties in the western panhandle of Florida as Tropical Storm Francine moves further inland.

Francine made landfall in Louisiana around 8 p.m. Wednesday evening with wind speeds of 100 mph.

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As of 4 a.m. CDT, Francine was located 170 miles west of Pensacola. As it moves further inland this morning, heavy rain is spreading across the Panhandle, Mississippi, and Alabama, prompting the issuance of several warnings, watches, and advisories.

Here’s what you should know:

New tornado warning issued for 3 Florida counties until afternoon

Shortly before 6 a.m. CDT, the National Weather Service issued a second tornado warning for Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties.

This alert will remain in effect until 1:00 p.m. CDT.

Early morning tornado warning issued for parts of the Florida Panhandle

A tornado warning has been issued for the following counties in Florida:

• Escambia

• Okaloosa

• Santa Rosa

The tornado warning remains in effect until 6:00 a.m. CDT.

A tornado warning means that tornadoes are possible in and around the warning area.

Review and discuss your emergency plans, take inventory of your supplies, and check your safe room.

Be prepared to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. The Storm Prediction Center issues warnings for counties where tornadoes may occur. The warning area is usually large, covering several counties or even states.

A tornado has been sighted or reported by weather radar. There is an immediate threat to life and property.

Go to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows.

If you are in a recreational vehicle, RV, or outdoors, seek shelter from flying debris and take shelter from flying debris. Warnings are being issued by your local weather service.

Warnings typically refer to a much smaller area (approximately the size of a city or small county) that may be affected by a tornado identified by a meteorologist on radar or by a trained observer/police officer monitoring the storm.

Flood, wind warnings and other weather alerts issued for the Florida Panhandle

In parts of the Florida Panhandle the following also apply:

• Wind warning: 1:00 p.m. CDT on Thursday. Southeast winds 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. For parts of northwest Florida.

• Flood warning: Until 7:15 a.m. CDT. Minor flooding in low-lying and poorly drained areas. In parts of northwest Florida, including Escambia County.

• Flood warning on the coast: Until 1:00 p.m. CDT. Flooding of properties, parks and roads is expected, with only isolated road closures expected. Breaking waves can sweep people off piers and docks into the dangerous sea. For Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.

• Warning of high waves: Until 7:00 p.m. CDT. Hazardous breakers of 7 to 10 feet. For Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.

• Rip stream instruction: Until Friday afternoon. Life-threatening bathing conditions and significant beach erosion are to be expected.

Radar for Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, including Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach, Florida

View the latest watches and warnings for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Weather watches and warnings are issued by the National Weather Service. The map updates automatically as conditions change.

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Expecting rain? Check out the latest forecast for Pensacola

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What happens next?

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This article originally appeared in Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida Tornado Warning Issued for Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties