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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 39National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL AL112017708 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2017
This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida
..HURRICANE AND STORM SURGE WATCHES AND WARNINGS EXTENDED NORTHWARD ALONG THE FLORIDA PENINSULA...
NEW INFORMATION
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* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Levy, Coastal Pasco, Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland Levy, Inland Pasco, and Sumter - A Storm Surge Watch has been issued for Coastal Hillsborough and Pinellas - The Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning and a Storm Surge Watch have been issued for Coastal Manatee - The Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning for Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Lee, Coastal Sarasota, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Inland Charlotte, Inland Lee, Inland Manatee, and Inland Sarasota
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Levy, Coastal Pasco, Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Levy, Inland Pasco, Polk, and Sumter - A Hurricane Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect for Coastal Manatee - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Inland Charlotte, Inland Manatee, and Inland Sarasota - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Coastal Hillsborough and Pinellas - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Lee, Coastal Sarasota, and Inland Lee
* STORM INFORMATION: - About 540 miles southeast of Mouth of Tampa Bay FL or about 460 miles southeast of Fort Myers FL - 22.1N 76.5W - Storm Intensity 155 mph - Movement West or 280 degrees at 12 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
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Irma is moving toward the west near 12 mph as of this afternoon although a turn toward the northwest is expected by late Saturday. On the forecast track, the eye of Irma should move near the north coast of Cuba and the central Bahamas today and Saturday, and be near the Florida Keys and the southern Florida Peninsula Sunday morning. The hurricane is currently forecast to move up the center of the Florida peninsula Sunday afternoon and into Monday morning.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
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* WIND:Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts across West Central and Southwest 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.
* SURGE:Protect against life-threatening surge having possible devastating impacts across all of southwest Florida. This includes Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee Counties. Potential impacts in this area include: - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded from considerable floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible. - Massive damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Numerous small craft broken away from moorings with many lifted onshore and stranded.
Also, protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant to extensive impacts across Manatee, Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.
* FLOODING RAIN:Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across west central and southwest Florida. Potential impacts include: - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
* TORNADOES:Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across West Central and Southwest Florida. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of 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:For those under evacuation orders, leave as soon as practical with a destination in mind. Gas up your vehicle well ahead of time. Be sure that you take all essential materials from your emergency supplies kit.Let others know where you are going and when you intend to arrive.
If evacuating the area, stick to prescribed evacuation routes. Look for additional traffic information on roadway smart signs and listen toselect radio channels for further travel instructions. Drivers should not use cell phones while operating vehicles.
For those not under evacuation orders, understand that there are inherent risks to evacuation (such as traffic congestion, accidents, and driving in bad weather), so evacuate only if necessary. Help keep roadways open for those that are under evacuation orders.
If you are exceptionally vulnerable to wind or water hazards from tropical systems, consider voluntary evacuation, especially if being officially recommended. Relocate to a predetermined shelter or safe destination.
If evacuating away from the area or relocating to a nearby shelter, leave early before weather conditions become hazardous.
Pinellas County: http://www.pinellascounty.orgHillsborough County: http://www.hillsboroughcounty.orgPolk County:
http://www.polk-county.netManatee County: http://www.mymanatee.org Hardee County: http://www.hardeecounty.netDesoto County: http://www.desotobocc.comSarasota County: http://www.scgov.netHighlands County: http://www.hcbcc.netCharlotte County: http://www.charlottecountyfl.gov Lee County: http://www.leegov.com
When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track as there are inherent forecast uncertainties which must be taken into account.
If you live in a place that is particularly vulnerable to high wind, such as a mobile home, an upper floor of a high rise building, or on a boat, plan to move to safe shelter. Take enough supplies for you and your family for several days.
If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low lying or poor drainage area, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground
* 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 Tampa Bay Ruskin FL around 12 AM, or sooner if conditions warrant.
MCKAUGHAN
Click here to read more at The National Hurricane Center