Emergency officials in northwest Florida are warning residents that a predicted early winter-like storm front Tuesday night could bring with it gale-force winds, torrential rains and a storm surge that will rival some tropical storms.

According to weather forecasters, the storm which is currently forming off the Texas coast, may bring 8-inches or more of rain to an area already drenched from recent storms and produce a five-foot storm surge in the Pensacola area.

The forecast "includes the possibility of destructive straight line winds, and the threat of tornadoes does exist," said a press release issued by the Walton County Sheriff's Office Monday afternoon.

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