[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 36
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL  AL112017
1248 AM EDT Fri Sep 8 2017

This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida

**POWERFUL MAJOR HURRICANE IRMA CONTINUES TO MOVE TOWARDS FLORIDA**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Coastal Manatee, DeSoto,
      Hardee, Highlands, Inland Charlotte, Inland Lee, Inland
      Manatee, and Inland Sarasota
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch have been issued for
      Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Lee, and Coastal Sarasota

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Coastal Manatee, DeSoto,
      Hardee, Highlands, Inland Charlotte, Inland Lee, Inland
      Manatee, and Inland Sarasota
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Lee, and Coastal Sarasota

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 700 miles east-southeast of Fort Myers FL
    - 21.3N 72.4W
    - Storm Intensity 165 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 16 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Major Hurricane Irma continues moving west northwest as it approaches the
southeastern Bahamas tonight, before impacting west central and southwest
Florida late Saturday and into early Monday. The primary concerns at this
time are the potential for destructive winds and life-threatening storm surge.
The main window of concern for Hurricane Irma impacts is late Saturday night
through Monday afternoon.


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

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts
across West Central and Southwest 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 coastal areas of Lee and Charlotte Counties. 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, and piers.
      Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages.

Also, prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across southern Sarasota County.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across west central and southwest Florida. Potential
impacts include:
    - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations.
    - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents.
      Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen
      and overflow in spots.
    - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually
      vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water
      occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
      areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become
      near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge
      closures.


* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across west
central and southwest 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.

Elsewhere across West Central and Southwest Florida, little to no
impact is anticipated.

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 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.

If you are exceptionally vulnerable to wind or water hazards from tropical
systems, consider voluntary evacuation, especially if being officially
recommended. Relocate to a predetermined shelter or safe destination.

* 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.

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.

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 West Central and SW Florida weather information visit www.weather.gov/tampa
- 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 6 AM, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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