Local Statement for Melbourne, FL

Sat, Sep 9th 2017, 05:50 AM

000
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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 41
National Weather Service Melbourne FL  AL112017
620 AM EDT Sat Sep 9 2017

This product covers EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA

**HURRICANE WARNING EXPANDED TO INCLUDE VOLUSIA, LAKE, ORANGE AND
 SEMINOLE COUNTIES**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning
      for Volusia, Lake, Orange and Seminole Counties

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 440 miles south-southeast of Orlando FL or about 330
      miles south-southeast of Stuart FL
    - 22.5N 78.8W
    - Storm Intensity 155 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 285 degrees at 12 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Dangerous Hurricane Irma continues to move west-northwest along the
north coast of Cuba. Irma is expected to turn toward the north-
northwest later today and then cross the Florida Keys as an intense
hurricane early Sunday morning. Irma is forecast to move north and
reach the southwest Florida coast Sunday evening as a strong hurricane,
and then move northward across the western peninsula through early
Monday morning.

Irma is a large hurricane and will produce far-reaching effects
regardless of where the exact center of the storm moves. Winds of
strong tropical storm to Category 1 hurricane force, especially in
gusts, are expected to produce considerable damage well east of Irma's
track, extending across east central Florida.

There remains a significant threat for flooding rains, and a Flood
Watch continues for all of east central Florida. Heavy rain,
especially in squalls, will increase in coverage and frequency across
east central Florida tonight, and especially on Sunday through early
Monday. Although Irma will be moving steadily northward, it will
produce 8 to 12 inches of rain with locally higher amounts of 15 to 20
inches in areas which receive frequent or persistent squall bands.

Efforts to protect life and property should be rushed to completion!
Every effort should be taken to bring hurricane preparations to
completion by sunset today.

A storm surge of around 3 feet on top of local tidal ranges can be
expected. Some wind driven water inundation will be possible in areas
immediately 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 during the next several
high tide cycles from early Sunday morning through Monday morning.

The threat for tornadoes within frequent squall bands will increase
beginning late tonight around Lake Okeechobee and Tequesta, spread
northward across Osceola and Brevard Counties through sunrise, then
across the remainder of east central Florida throughout Sunday.


POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts
across east central Florida. Potential impacts include:

    - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with a few having
      window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
      damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.
      Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles.
    - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
      roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or
      heavily wooded places. Some access routes impassable.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across east central 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 east central 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
      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.

* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible impacts from
Flagler Beach to Jupiter Inlet. Potential impacts in this area
include:

    - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
      immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
      farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
    - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
      with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
      surge water covers the road.
    - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
      in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
    - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
      piers, and other coastal structures. A few small craft broken
      away from moorings.

Elsewhere,

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

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

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and
property in accordance with your emergency plan. Outside preparations
should be wrapped up as soon as possible before weather conditions
deteriorate. Any remaining evacuations and relocations should be
completed before the onset of tropical storm force winds.

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 to
possible 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
-----------

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

$$

Cristaldi

Click here to read more at The National Hurricane Center

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