[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 37
National Weather Service Key West FL  AL112017
548 AM EDT Fri Sep 8 2017

This product covers Florida Keys

**Powerful Hurricane Irma continues to pose an increasingly
significant and potentially catastrophic threat to the Florida Keys**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Monroe Lower Keys, Monroe Middle Keys, and Monroe Upper Keys

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 540 miles east-southeast of Key West FL or about 500
      miles east-southeast of Marathon FL or about 480 miles
      east-southeast of Key Largo FL
    - 21.7N 73.8W
    - Storm Intensity 155 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 285 degrees at 16 mph

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

Dangerous Hurricane Irma, located between the Bahamas and eastern
Cuba, is expected to move west northwestward over the next couple of
days before moving into the Straits of Florida, southeast of the
Florida Keys Saturday night. During this weekend, all significant
hurricane impact threats are becoming increasingly likely, including
especially life threatening storm surge flooding and damaging winds.

Most Likely Arrival Time of tropical storm-force winds will be during
the late morning or early afternoon Saturday. Preparations to protect
life and property should be completed today.

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

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across Florida Keys. 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 due to large debris. Many bridges,
      causeways, and access routes impassable.
    - Widespread power and communications outages. Major damage
      possible to communication towers.

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible devastating
impacts across the Florida KEYS. 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.
    - Many large sections of highways, roads, and low-lying escape
      routes washed out or severely flooded. Some causeways washed
      out. Low elevation bridges damaged. 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, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible
extensive impacts across the Florida KEYS.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across Florida Keys. Potential impacts include:
    - Several locations may experience rainfall flooding. Expanded
      areas of rapid inundation occurring at low-lying spots and poor
      drainage regions.
    - Some streets and parking lots impassible. Rainfall flooding may
      prompt street closures. Storm drains overflow.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across Florida Keys. 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.
    - Roofs may peel 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:
A mandatory evacuation is in effect for all Florida Keys residents and
visitors. If evacuating the Florida Keys or relocating to a nearby
shelter, leave as soon as possible before weather conditions become
hazardous. The FIU hurricane shelter is open, but contact the Monroe
County Emergency Management Center at 1-800-955-5504 for further
information.

The Snake Creek Drawbridge in Islamorada is locked down for the
duration of the storm.

The Port of Key West will officially close Friday at 8 pm.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

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.

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.

Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and
property in accordance with your emergency plan.

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

In emergencies it is best to remain calm. Stay informed and focused on
the situation at hand. Exercise patience with those you encounter. Be
a Good Samaritan and helpful to others.

* 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
- For Florida Division of Emergency Management information, see
floridadisaster.org
- For Monroe County Emergency Management information, see
monroecountyem.com/index.aspx?NID=1
- For Monroe County evacuation information, see
monroecountyem.com/index.aspx?NID=255
- For information on shelters located outside of Monroe County, see
monroecountyem.com/index.aspx?nid=122
- For Monroe County shelter information, see
monroecountyem.com/index.aspx?nid=121

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Key West FL around 1130 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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