[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS82 KKEY 082234
HLSKEY
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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 39
National Weather Service Key West FL  AL112017
634 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2017

This product covers Florida Keys

**Potentially catastrophic Hurricane Irma continues to pose a likely
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 375 miles east-southeast of Key West FL or about 340
      miles east-southeast of Marathon FL or about 320 miles
      southeast of Key Largo FL
    - 22.1N 76.5W
    - Storm Intensity 155 mph
    - Movement West or 280 degrees at 12 mph

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

* Potentially catastrophic Hurricane Irma, located just north of the
  southeast coast of the island of Cuba, is expected to move west and
  then west northwest along the north central coast of Cuba Saturday
  afternoon. Thereafter, Hurricane Irma is expected to turn northwest
  and into the Straits of Florida Saturday night before crossing near
  the westernmost portion of the Middle Keys during Sunday morning and
  early afternoon. Subsequently, all significant hurricane impact
  threats are likely this weekend, including life threatening storm
  surge flooding and damaging winds, potentially extremely high
  rainfall amounts, as well as a threat of tornadoes.

Most Likely Arrival Time of tropical storm-force winds will be early
Saturday afternoon. Preparations to protect life and property should
be completed now.

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 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. 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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
devastating impacts across portions of the island chain.

Potential impacts include:
  - Several locations may experience rainfall flooding at or near historic
    levels. Widespread, rapid inundation covers both primary and
    secondary roads. Damage to vehicles and ground floor homes and
    businesses.

Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across portions of the Florida Keys.

* 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
----------------------------------

* 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 9 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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