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According to the National Weather Service, Butler County has been placed under a Tropical Storm Warning ahead of Hurricane Michael, which continues to strengthen in the Gulf Coast and is expected to make landfall Wednesday.

A Tropical Storm Warning means tropical storm-force winds are expected somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours.

Below is the warning from the NWS:

LOCATIONS AFFECTED – Greenville

WIND – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Tropical storm force winds remain possible – Peak Wind Forecast: 15-25 mph with gusts to 35 mph – POTENTIAL THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Potential for wind 58 to 73 mph – The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.

PLAN: Plan for dangerous wind of equivalent strong tropical storm force due to possible forecast changes in track, size, or intensity.

PREPARE: Remaining efforts to protect life and property should be completed as soon as possible. Prepare for significant wind damage.

ACT: Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant

• Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles.
• Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over.
• Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places.
• Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines.

FLOODING RAIN – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: – Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional around 1 inch

POTENTIAL THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Potential for localized flooding rain – The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.

PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for localized flooding from heavy rain.

PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding.

ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited – Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. – Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots. – Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures.

TORNADO – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: – Situation is unfavorable for tornadoes

POTENTIAL THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Tornadoes not expected – The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.

PLAN: Tornadoes are not expected. Showers and thunderstorms with gusty winds may still occur.

PREPARE: Little to no preparations needed to protect against tornadoes at this time. Keep informed of the latest tornado situation.

ACT: Listen for changes in the forecast.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None – Little to no potential impacts from tornadoes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: – For local information, please refer to: Butler County EMA: (334) 382-7911.