[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 34
National Weather Service Miami FL  AL112017
1136 AM EDT Thu Sep 7 2017

This product covers SOUTH FLORIDA

**EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HURRICANE IRMA THREATENING SOUTH FLORIDA THIS
 WEEKEND**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch have been issued for
      Coastal Broward, Coastal Collier, Coastal Miami-Dade, Coastal
      Palm Beach, Far South Miami-Dade, Inland Collier, Inland
      Miami-Dade, Mainland Monroe, and Metro Miami-Dade
    - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Glades, Hendry, Inland
      Broward, Inland Palm Beach, Metro Broward, and Metro Palm Beach

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Coastal Broward, Coastal Collier, Coastal Miami-Dade, Coastal
      Palm Beach, Far South Miami-Dade, Inland Collier, Inland
      Miami-Dade, Mainland Monroe, and Metro Miami-Dade
    - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Glades, Hendry, Inland
      Broward, Inland Palm Beach, Metro Broward, and Metro Palm Beach

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 760 miles east-southeast of Miami FL
    - 20.4N 69.7W
    - Storm Intensity 175 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 16 mph

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

Hurricane Irma is forecast to move west northwest across the
Bahamas today and into Friday, before impacting South Florida this
weekend and into early next week. The main concerns for South Florida
at this time are the potential for destructive winds and life-
threatening storm surge. The main window of concern for Hurricane Irma
impacts is early Saturday morning through Monday.

Additional concerns exist for flooding rains, isolated tornadoes,
significant beach erosion and surf, coastal flooding, and life-
threatening rip currents.

At this time, all interests in South Florida should continue to
closely monitor the progression of Hurricane Irma. Continue to remain
informed with the latest information and forecasts.

All interests in South Florida are urged to complete hurricane
preparations by the end of the day Friday.

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

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts
across South 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:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible devastating impacts
across coastal Collier, Mainland Monroe, coastal Miami-Dade counties
including Biscayne Bay. 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, prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
to extensive impacts across immediate coastal Broward and Palm Beach
counties.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across the east coast metro of South Florida. Potential
impacts include:
    - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Ditches and canals may quickly become swollen with swift
      currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially
      in usually vulnerable spots.
    - 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
      become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.

Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across the rest of South Florida.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
South Florida. Potential impacts include:
    - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution
      of emergency plans during tropical events.
    - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power
      and communications disruptions.
    - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, mobile
      homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and
      branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving
      vehicles blown off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings.

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

* 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.

For evacuation information, contact 311 for Miami-Dade and Broward
counties, and 211 across the rest of South Florida.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and take necessary
actions to secure your home or business. Deliberate efforts should be
underway to protect life and property. Ensure that your Emergency
Supplies Kit is stocked and ready.

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.

Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders
that are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives
of others.

Closely monitor NOAA Weather Radio or other local news outlets for
official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the
forecast.

* 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 Miami FL around 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

$$

IRL/RAG/KSCHARF
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