000
WTUS82 KTAE 102147
HLSTAE
ALZ065>069-FLZ007>019-026>029-034-108-112-114-115-118-127-128-134-GAZ120>131-142>148-155>161-110600-
Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 47
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL AL112017
547 PM EDT Sun Sep 10 2017 /447 PM CDT Sun Sep 10 2017/
This product covers EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE...FLORIDA BIG BEND...SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA AND SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA
**SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS EXPECTED BEGINNING TONIGHT FROM HURRICANE IRMA
THAT WILL LEAD TO PROLONGED POWER OUTAGES AND IMPASSABLE ROADS**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Baker, Berrien, Brooks,
Calhoun, Clay, Coastal Franklin, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur,
Dougherty, Early, Gadsden, Grady, Inland Dixie, Inland
Franklin, Inland Jefferson, Inland Taylor, Inland Wakulla,
Lafayette, Lanier, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Lowndes, Madison,
Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas,
Tift, and Worth
- A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
Coastal Dixie, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, and Coastal
Wakulla
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Ben Hill, Calhoun,
Central Walton, Coastal Bay, Coastal Gulf, Coffee, Dale,
Geneva, Henry, Holmes, Houston, Inland Bay, Inland Gulf, Irwin,
Jackson, North Walton, South Walton, Turner, and Washington
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 330 miles south-southeast of TALLAHASSEE
- 26.2N 81.8W
- Storm Intensity 110 mph
- Movement North or 350 degrees at 14 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
OVERVIEW...
Irma has made a second Florida landfall at Marco Island and will
continue to move north-northwest toward our area tonight, crossing the
region tomorrow. All preparations should be finalized at this time and
you should be prepared to shelter in place tonight and tomorrow
through the remainder of the event. A curfew is in place for Leon
county starting at 9 PM tonight. Tropical storm force winds could
begin in the next few hours in the southeast Big Bend and will spread
inland through the night. Hurricane force winds could begin around
midnight in the extreme southeast Big Bend and move inland through
Monday morning and early afternoon. Overall durations of tropical
storm force winds could exceed 15 hours with a portion of this time
including hurricane force winds. This prolonged period of extreme
winds will cause widespread wind damage to trees and power lines, as
well as structural damage across the area. We urge you to go to seek
shelter in an interior room away from doors and windows for the
duration of the high winds. In addition, there is the danger of life
threatening storm surge across the Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, and
Dixie county coasts. Do not stay in a flood prone area along these
coast lines. Follow instructions from your local officials and
complete all preparations before this evening. Conditions will
gradually improve Monday night as Irma continues northward. Anticipate
impassable roads and extensive power outages in the wake of the storm.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across the eastern Florida Big Bend. Potential impacts in
this area include:
- Widespread structural damage to buildings in the area. Numerous
with complete roof and wall failures. All mobile homes
destroyed. Damage greatly increased by large airborne
projectiles. Locations affected may be uninhabitable for weeks
or months.
- Large swaths of trees snapped uprooted with roadway signs blown
over.
- Nearly all primary and all secondary roads will be impassable.
- Widespread power and communication outages; potentially lasting
for weeks.
Also, protect against life-threatening wind having possible limited
to extensive impacts across north Florida, southeast Alabama, and
southwest Georgia.
* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across coastal Florida Big Bend. Potential impacts in
this area include:
- Areas of inundation from storm surge flooding, compounded by
higher waves. Non-elevated homes and businesses along the coast
will be subject to flooding primarily on the ground floor.
- Sections of coastal highways and access roads will be flooded
with portions washed out, isolating affected coastal
communities.
- Moderate beach erosion with damage to the dune line.
- Moderate damage to marinas, docks, and piers. Small craft not
secured prior to the storm will break away from moorings.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across the eastern Florida Big Bend and south central
Georgia. Potential impacts include:
- Major flooding from rainfall will prompt evacuations in flood
prone areas. Those not heeding evacuations in these locations
face serious injury or death.
- Rivers and associated tributary creeks and stream will rise and
overflow into the flood plain. Runoff will put stress on area
holding ponds and drainage ditches, increasing the likelihood
of widespread urban flooding.
- Flood waters will impact structures in low lying areas, as well
as those in the flood plain, possibly entering buildings. Urban
flooding will result in several road closures and some
washouts. A few overpasses may be weakened by fast moving flood
waters. Driving conditions are very dangerous.
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited
to significant impacts across north Florida and southeast Alabama.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across eastern Florida Big Bend and south central Georgia. Potential
impacts include:
- Isolated tornadoes are expected, resulting in a notable impact
to affected communities.
- Isolated areas affected by tornadoes will experience minor
damage, including some damage to structures and sporadic power
and communication outages.
- A few structures will be damaged by tornadoes, mainly with loss
of shingles or siding. Some mobile homes will be significantly
damaged, especially those unanchored. Large trees will be
snapped or uprooted.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
If evacuating the area, stick to prescribed evacuation routes. Look
for additional traffic information on roadway smart signs and listen
to select 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.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to bring to completion all preparations to protect
life and property in accordance with your emergency plan.
Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of
life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any
orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency
Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are
unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.
Check-in with your emergency points of contact among family, friends,
and workmates. Inform them of your status and well-being. Let them
know how you intend to ride out the storm and when you plan to
check-in again.
Keep cell phones well charged and handy. Also, cell phone chargers
for automobiles can be helpful after the storm. Locate your chargers
and keep them with your cell phone.
If you are a visitor and still in the area, listen for the name of
the city or town in which you are staying within local news updates.
Be sure you know the name of the county in which it resides. Pay
attention for instructions from local authorities.
* 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 Tallahassee FL as conditions warrant.
Click here to read more at The National Hurricane Center
