[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 37
National Weather Service Melbourne FL  AL112017
613 AM EDT Fri Sep 8 2017

This product covers EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA

**MAJOR HURRICANE IRMA CONTINUES TO MOVE WEST-NORTHWEST TOWARD THE
FLORIDA STRAITS**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* 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 660 miles southeast of Orlando FL or about 550 miles
      southeast of Stuart FL
    - 21.7N 73.8W
    - Storm Intensity 155 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 285 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 later today before making a turn to the north-northwest
by Saturday evening. The eye or Irma is expected to reach south
Florida Sunday morning, and then moving through the eastern Florida
peninsula from Sunday evening through early Monday morning. Irma is
a very large, and powerful hurricane, and deteriorating weather
conditions, including increasing rain and wind, squalls and extremely
dangerous seas and surf, will spread northward well out ahead of Irma's
center.

It is now very likely that this major hurricane will have significant
and potentially life-threatening impacts to the citizens of 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! From
around Lake Okeechobee to the Treasure coast counties, every effort
should be taken to bring hurricane preparations to completion by
Saturday, before weather conditions start to deteriorate. Areas farther
north from greater Kissimmee-Saint Cloud, Orlando, Sanford, and Lake
County eastward to the Space Coast and the greater Daytona Beach area
will have about a half of day longer to complete preparations.

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.

The chance for hurricane force winds and gusts from Irma to extend
well inland continues to increase. Additional watches or warnings
farther north are likely to be issued later this morning.

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.

Wind driven water inundation will also be possible in areas adjacent
to larger inland lakes, such as Lakes Okeechobee, Kissimmee, and Lake
George, as well as the Intracoastal Waterway.

Although Irma will be moving steadily forward, it will produce 7 to 12
inches of rain with locally higher amounts up 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 increase rainfall
totals for inland areas.

Ahead of Irma, surf conditions will become hazardous as large swells
promote high surf and increasingly strong rip currents starting today.
Beach erosion will ensue, and become progressively worse over the
course of the next several high tide cycles throughout the weekend and
into Monday.

There is an increasing threat for rain band tornadoes to spread south
to north across all of east central Florida beginning late Saturday.


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 significant impacts in
coastal areas. These impacts 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.

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:

    - Areal 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 low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and
      parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention
      ponds overflow.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible impacts spreading north
across east central Florida. Potential impacts include:
    - The occurrence of 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. Efforts should be well underway to
protect life and property!! Ensure that your Emergency Supplies Kit is
stocked and ready.

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 12 noon, or sooner if conditions warrant.

$$

Cristaldi
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