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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 39National Weather Service Melbourne FL  AL112017623 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2017

This product covers EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA

**HURRICANE WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE TREASURE COAST AND OKEECHOBEE COUNTY**

NEW INFORMATION---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:   

- The Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning       for Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:   

- A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for       Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie    - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for       Coastal Volusia County, Northern Brevard County, and Southern       Brevard County    - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Inland Volusia County,       Northern Lake County, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Southern       Lake County    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Okeechobee

* STORM INFORMATION:    - About 560 miles south-southeast of Daytona Beach FL or about       440 miles southeast of Fort Pierce FL    - 22.1N 76.5W    - Storm Intensity 155 mph    - Movement West or 280 degrees at 12 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW

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Dangerous Hurricane Irma continues to move west northwest near thenorth coast of Cuba and is expected to approach south Florida and the Florida Keys as a potentially catastrophic Category 5 hurricane Sunday morning. Irma is forecast to move over the Florida peninsula Sunday through early Monday morning as a strong hurricane. 

Irma is a large hurricane and will produce far-reaching effects regardless of where the exact center of the storm moves. Extreme winds are of life-threatening concern and will have the potential for widespread damage along and near Irma's track. Flooding rain is also ofconsiderable concern. Heavy rain, especially in squalls, will increasein coverage and frequency across east central Florida especially onSunday and into early Monday. Although Irma will be moving steadily forward, it will produce 8 to 12 inches of rain with locally higher amounts up to 16 inches.

Efforts to protect life and property should be rushed to completion! From around Lake Okeechobee to the Treasure coast counties, every effort should be taken to bring hurricane preparations to completion bySaturday afternoon, before weather conditions deteriorate. Areas farther north from greater Kissimmee-Saint Cloud, Orlando, Sanford, andLake County eastward to the Space Coast and the greater Daytona Beach area should have preparations completed by Saturday evening.

Wind driven water inundation will also be possible in areas adjacent to larger inland lakes, such as Lakes Okeechobee, Kissimmee, and Lake George, as well as the Intracoastal Waterway.

Ahead of Irma, surf conditions will become hazardous as large swells bring high surf and increasingly strong rip currents. Beach erosion will ensue, and become progressively worse throughout the weekend and into Monday.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS

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* WIND:Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastatingimpacts across east central Florida. Potential impacts include:    - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof       and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage       greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations       may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.    - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and       roadway signs blown over.    - Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban       or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access       routes impassable.    - Widespread power and communications outages.

* FLOODING RAIN:Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significantimpacts across east central Florida. Potential impacts include:    - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and       rescues.    - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swift       currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially       in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and       ditches will overflow.    - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations.       Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid       inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage       areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as       storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions       will become hazardous with some road and bridge closures.

* SURGE:Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significantimpacts across in coastal areas. Potential impacts in this area include:    - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by       waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.    - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become       weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low       spots.    - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and       numerous rip currents.    - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, piers, and other       coastal structures. Several small craft broken away from       moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages.

Communities adjacent to Lake Okeechobee, where a Hurricane Warning is now in effect, as well as the Intracoastal Waterway, should take actions now to protect life and property from potential water runup, and the potential for local surge inundation.
* TORNADOES:Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significantimpacts across east central Florida. Potential impacts include:    - The occurrence of tornadoes can hinder the execution of       emergency plans during tropical events.    - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few       locations seeing considerable damage, power loss, and       communications failures.    - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile       homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or       uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about.       Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

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* EVACUATIONS:If evacuating, leave with a destination in mind and allow extra time toget there. Take your emergency supplies kit. Gas up your vehicle aheadof time.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter.

If you are in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near looming trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high rise building, or on a boat, consider moving to safer shelter before the onset of tropical storm force winds or possible flooding from heavy rain.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows in an interior room on the lowest floor. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options. Have a way to receive tornado warnings whether on the road or in a shelter. 

Closely monitor weather.gov websites, NOAA Weather Radio, or other local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt topossible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

NEXT UPDATE

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The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Melbourne FL around 12 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

Ulrich

 

Click here to read more at The National Hurricane Center