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WTUS82 KTBW 102222
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FLZ043-050-052-056-057-061-139-142-148-149-151-155-160-162-165-239-242-248-249-251-255-260-262-265-110630-
Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 47
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL AL112017
622 PM EDT Sun Sep 10 2017
This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida
**IRMA MAKES LANDFALL IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands,
Inland Charlotte, Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland
Hillsborough, Inland Levy, Inland Manatee, Inland Pasco, Inland
Sarasota, Polk, and Sumter
- A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal
Hillsborough, Coastal Lee, Coastal Levy, Coastal Manatee,
Coastal Pasco, Coastal Sarasota, Inland Lee, and Pinellas
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 110 miles south-southeast of Mouth of Tampa Bay FL or
about 30 miles south of Fort Myers FL
- 26.2N 81.8W
- Storm Intensity 110 mph
- Movement North or 350 degrees at 14 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Hurricane Irma has made landfall along the Collier County coast and is
now moving northward into southern Lee County. Hurricane force wind
gusts have been reported over portions of Lee county within the last
hour.
Along with the high wind threat, another concern will be the
potential for life-threatening storm surge inundation along and
near the Southwest Florida Gulf Coast as the storm exits.
The storm surge threat is not only limited to the immediate coast
but also extends further inland.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
all of west-central and southwest Florida. Remain well sheltered from
life-threatening wind having devastating impacts.
If realized, these 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:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
areas of southwest FLorida. Remain well away from life-threatening
surge having extensive impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding
accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings,
with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating
debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period.
- Large sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads
washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and
barriers may become stressed.
- Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss.
- Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many
small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded.
Potential impacts from the main surge event will soon be unfolding
across west-central Florida as the center of Hurricane Irma continues
to move north and the winds become onshore. Remain well away from
life-threatening surge having significant impacts.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
all of west-central and southwest Florida.
Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having possible
devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and
rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks
in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks,
canals, and ditches may become raging rivers. Flood control
systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape
routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water
with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very
dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened
or washed out.
* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across all of
west-central and southwest Florida. Remain well braced against a
dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts. If
realized, these 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
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Do not return to evacuated areas until hazardous winds diminish and
flood waters abate.
Do not return to evacuated areas until it is safe.
Listen for the all-clear signal from local authorities.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to remain safely sheltered from the storm. Stay
inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case
you lose electrical power. Locate your battery powered radio and
flashlight from your Emergency Supplies Kit. Keep these items close.
During the peak of the storm, keep your shoes on and rain gear handy.
Boots and tennis shoes offer the best foot protection if you become
unexpectedly exposed to the elements.
Do not venture outside while in the eye of a hurricane. Within the
eye, weather conditions may temporarily improve which can be
misleading. Once the eye passes, the wind will change direction and
return to dangerous speeds. Heavy rain will also return. Be smart and
remain safely hidden from the storm.
Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos. Be wise and avoid becoming another statistic.
Be ready to move to the identified safe room if your home or shelter
begins to fail. Quickly move to an interior room on the lowest floor.
Put as many sturdy walls between you and the storm as you can.
Protect your head and body.
* 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 Tampa Bay Ruskin FL around 12 AM, or sooner if conditions
warrant.
Click here to read more at The National Hurricane Center
