Dangerous storm surge and flooding rains fall over portions of the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend Region as Fred approaches the coast.

Here's the latest information as of 2 p.m.

LOCATION...29.4 85.5W

ABOUT 35 MI...60 KM SW OF APALACHICOLA FLORIDA

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...65 MPH...100 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 20 DEGREES AT 9 MPH...15 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...994 MB...29.35 INCHES

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...

* Coast of Florida from Indian Pass to Yankeetown

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...

* Coast of the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend from Navarre to the Steinhatchee River

A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline in the indicated locations. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov. This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within the next 12 hours.

The center of Tropical Storm Fred was located near latitude 29.4 North, longitude 85.5 West. Fred is moving toward the north-northeast near 9 mph (15 km/h), and this general motion is expected through tonight. On the forecast track, the center of Fred should make landfall in the eastern Florida Panhandle this afternoon or early this evening, and move over western Georgia on Tuesday.

Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected before landfall. After landfall, Fred is expected to quickly weaken.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km) from the center. A wind gust of 58 mph (93 km/h) was recently reported at Bald Point, Florida.

The estimated minimum central pressure based on data from the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft is 994 mb (29.35 inches).

Fred is expected to produce the following rainfall amounts:

Through Monday...

Southern and Central Florida... 1 to 2 inches of additional rain with isolated maximum storm totals of 5 inches are expected.

Through Tuesday...

The Florida Big Bend and Panhandle... 4 to 8 inches of rain with isolated maximum storm totals of 12 inches are expected.

Southeast Alabama through western and northern Georgia, and the western Carolinas... 4 to 7 inches of rain with isolated maximum storm totals of 10 inches are expected.

Through Wednesday...

Portions of the Mid-Atlantic States... 2 to 4 inches of rain with isolated maximum storm totals of 6 inches expected as Fred interacts with a nearby front.

Heavy rainfall across portions of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic States could lead to flash, urban, small stream and isolated river flooding impacts. An increased risk of landslides exists across the mountains of North Carolina as well as portions of the Blue Ridge Escarpment on Tuesday.

The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...

Indian Pass, FL to Steinhatchee River, FL...3-5 ft

Steinhatchee River, FL to Yankeetown, FL...2-4 ft

AL/FL border to Indian Pass including Pensacola Bay, Choctawhatchee

Bay and Saint Andrew Bay...1-3 ft

Yankeetown, FL to Aripeka, FL...1-3 ft

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the east of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For information specific to your

area, please see products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.

Tropical storm conditions are occurring in portions of the Tropical Storm warning area.

Swells generated by Fred are affecting the coasts of Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, and could causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office for more details.

A few tornadoes are possible today and tonight across parts of the Florida Panhandle, southwest Georgia, and southeast Alabama.