[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 36
National Weather Service Melbourne FL  AL112017
1220 AM EDT Fri Sep 8 2017

This product covers EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA...

...DANGEROUS MAJOR HURRICANE IRMA WILL MAKE ITS CLOSEST APPROACH TO
CENTRAL FLORIDA THIS WEEKEND...

...HURRICANE WATCHES HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THE TREASURE COAST AND
OKEECHOBEE REGION...


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch have been issued for
      Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie
    - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Okeechobee

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie
    - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Okeechobee

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 750 miles southeast of Orlando FL or about 640 miles
      southeast of Stuart FL
    - 21.3N 72.4W
    - Storm Intensity 165 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 16 mph

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

Dangerous Hurricane Irma is forecast to make its approach on the
Florida Peninsula this weekend as a powerful Category 4 storm. Irma
will move west-northwest through the southern Bahamas and the eastern
Florida Straits before making a turn to the north or north- northwest
on Saturday evening, reaching southeast Florida Sunday morning, and
then moving through the eastern Florida peninsula from late Sunday
through early Monday morning.

While the precise track of Irma remains somewhat uncertain, confidence
has grown that this major hurricane will have significant, potentially
life-threatening impacts, and has the potential to remain a dangerous
major hurricane as it impacts east central Florida!!

Extreme winds are of life-threatening concern and will have the
potential for devastating to catastrophic impacts along Irma's track.
Efforts to protect life and property should now be underway. There is a
chance for hurricane force winds and gusts to extend well inland.
Additional watches or warnings farther north are likely to be issued
with later forecasts.

Storm surge and flooding rain are also of considerable concern.
Several places along the East Central Florida shoreline still have
weakened beaches and dunes from Hurricane Matthew last season. Similar
values of storm surge flooding 4 to 6 feet above ground are again
possible combined with battering waves. If evacuation orders are issued
for your area, leave as soon as practical. Irma will be affecting a
large number of Floridians and traffic systems may quickly become
stressed. Although Irma will be moving steadily forward, it will
produce 6 to 10 inches of rain with locally higher amounts of 10 to 15
inches. Peak rainfall may maximize along the coastal counties near and
in vicinity of the track supported by strong onshore wind flow.
However, Irma will also interact with a frontal boundary which may
accentuate rainfall totals for inland sections.

Ahead of Irma, surf conditions will become hazardous as large swells
promote high surf and increasingly strong rip currents. Beach erosion
will ensue.


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

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts
across EAST CENTRAL 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 significant impacts
across the entire east coast of Florida. Potential impacts in this
area include:

    - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
      waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
    - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
      weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
      spots.
    - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
      numerous rip currents.
    - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, piers, and other
      coastal structures. Several small craft broken away from
      moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages.

In addition, communities adjacent to Lake Okeechobee, where a
Hurricane Warning is now in effect, as well as the intracoastal
Waterway, should take actions now to protect life and property from
potential water runup, and the potential for local surge inundation


* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across east central Florida. Potential impacts include:

    - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swift
      currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially
      in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and
      ditches will overflow.
    - 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
      will become hazardous with some road and bridge closures.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for the potential of tornado event having impacts across EAST
CENTRAL FLORIDA, especially if the central of Irma moves northward
over the interior of east central 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, chimneys
      toppled, 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.

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 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.

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, large inland lake, in low lying or poor drainage
areas, or near an already swollen river or creek, plan to move to
safe shelter on higher ground

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.

When securing your property, outside preparations should be conducted
as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of
strong gusty winds and heavy rain can cause certain preparedness
activities to become unsafe.

Be sure to let friends and other family members know of your
intentions and whereabouts for surviving the storm. For emergency
purposes, have someone located away from the threatened area serve as
your point of contact. Share vital contact information with others.
Keep cell phones handy and well charged.

Visitors to the area should become familiar with nearby surroundings.
If you are a visitor, know the name of the county in which you are
located and where it is relative to current watches and warnings. If
staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their onsite
disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially pertaining to
area visitors.

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 Melbourne FL around , or sooner if conditions warrant.

$$
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