[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 39
National Weather Service Melbourne FL  AL112017
623 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2017

This product covers EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA

**HURRICANE WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE TREASURE COAST AND
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning
      for Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Coastal Volusia County, Northern Brevard County, and Southern
      Brevard County
    - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Inland Volusia County,
      Northern Lake County, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Southern
      Lake County
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Okeechobee

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 560 miles south-southeast of Daytona Beach FL or about
      440 miles southeast of Fort Pierce FL
    - 22.1N 76.5W
    - Storm Intensity 155 mph
    - Movement West or 280 degrees at 12 mph

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

Dangerous Hurricane Irma continues to move west northwest near the
north coast of Cuba and is expected to approach south Florida and the
Florida Keys as a potentially catastrophic Category 5 hurricane Sunday
morning. Irma is forecast to move over the Florida peninsula Sunday
through early Monday morning as a strong hurricane.

Irma is a large hurricane and will produce far-reaching effects
regardless of where the exact center of the storm moves. Extreme winds
are of life-threatening concern and will have the potential for
widespread damage along and near Irma's track. Flooding rain is also of
considerable concern. Heavy rain, especially in squalls, will increase
in coverage and frequency across east central Florida especially on
Sunday and into early Monday. Although Irma will be moving steadily
forward, it will produce 8 to 12 inches of rain with locally higher
amounts up to 16 inches.

Efforts to protect life and property should be rushed to completion!
>From around Lake Okeechobee to the Treasure coast counties, every
effort should be taken to bring hurricane preparations to completion by
Saturday afternoon, before weather conditions 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 should have preparations completed by Saturday evening.

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.

Ahead of Irma, surf conditions will become hazardous as large swells
bring high surf and increasingly strong rip currents. Beach erosion
will ensue, and become progressively worse throughout the weekend and
into Monday.

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

* WIND:
Protect against 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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against 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.

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across in coastal areas. 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.

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.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across east central Florida. Potential impacts include:
    - The occurrence of tornadoes can hinder the execution of
      emergency plans during tropical events.
    - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few
      locations seeing considerable damage, power loss, and
      communications failures.
    - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile
      homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or
      uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about.
      Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
If evacuating, leave with a destination in mind and allow extra time to
get there. Take your emergency supplies kit. Gas up your vehicle ahead
of time.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an
emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter.

If you are in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near
looming trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high rise
building, or on a boat, consider moving to safer shelter before the
onset of tropical storm force winds or possible flooding from heavy
rain.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter
quickly, preferably away from windows in an interior room on the
lowest floor. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter
options. Have a way to receive tornado warnings whether on the road
or in a shelter.

Closely monitor weather.gov websites, NOAA Weather Radio, or other
local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to
possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to
receive weather warnings.

* 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 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

Ulrich
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