[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 38A
National Weather Service Key West FL  AL112017
233 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2017

This product covers Florida Keys

**Potentially catastrophic 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 405 miles east-southeast of Key West FL or about 370 miles
      east-southeast of Marathon FL or about 350 miles southeast of
      Key Largo FL
    - 22.0N 76.0W
    - Storm Intensity 155 mph
    - Movement West or 270 degrees at 14 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Potentially catastrophic Hurricane Irma, located between the southeast
Bahamas and eastern Cuba, is expected to move west northwestward and
into the Straits of Florida Saturday evening. During this weekend, all
significant hurricane impact threats are likely, including 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 now.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS

* WIND:
Prepare for 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:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible devastating impacts
across portions of 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. 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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding with 4 to 8 inches of rainfall
possible in the Lower Keys and 8 to 12 inches with in the Middle and
Upper Keys with locally higher amounts possible. These rainfall amounts
will cause extreme impacts across a good portion of the Florida Keys.

Potential impacts
include:
    - Widespread locations especially in the easternmost Lower Keys to
      the extreme Upper Keys may experience dangerous rainfall
      flooding. Expanded areas of rapid inundation occurring at low-
      lying spots and poor drainage regions.
    - Many streets and parking lots will impassible. Rainfall flooding may
      prompt street closures. Storm drains overflow.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for 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

* EVACUATION

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 tonight at 8 pm.

In addition, Keys Energy announced electricity will not be shut off.
However, when tropical storm force winds of 40 mph or higher begin, all
crews will be called in from the field. If power outages occur
thereafter, Keys Energy crews will not attempt to restore power until
its safe and the storm has passed.

* 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.

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 Storm Information follow
NWS Florida Keys on Facebook and Twitter @NWSKeyWest - 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
www.monroecountyem.com/index.aspx?NID=1 - For Monroe County evacuation
information, see www.monroecountyem.com/index.aspx?NID=255 - For
information on shelters located outside of Monroe County, see
www.monroecountyem.com/index.aspx?nid=122 - For Monroe County shelter
information, see www.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 6 PM, or sooner if conditions warrant.

$$

APA
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