[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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ALZ065>069-FLZ007>019-026>029-034-108-112-114-115-118-127-128-134-GAZ120>131-142>148-155>161-091200-

Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 40
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL  AL112017
1154 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2017 /1054 PM CDT Fri Sep 8 2017/

This product covers EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE...FLORIDA BIG BEND...SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA AND SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA

 **HURRICANE WATCHES ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF THE FLORIDA BIG BEND**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Coastal Dixie, Coastal
      Franklin, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Wakulla,
      Inland Dixie, Inland Franklin, Inland Jefferson, Inland Taylor,
      Inland Wakulla, Lafayette, Leon, and Madison

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 700 miles southeast of TALLAHASSEE
    - 22.1N 77.7W
    - Storm Intensity 160 mph
    - Movement West or 280 degrees at 13 mph

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

At 11 pm EDT Hurricane Irma, a large and extremely dangerous
Category 5 hurricane, was moving west near the northern Cuban coast.
Irma is expected to turn north toward south Florida late Saturday
and Saturday night, then continue moving northward across the
Florida Peninsula through Monday. On this track the core of the
hurricane will move into north Florida during the day on Monday.

Although Irma is expected to gradually weaken Sunday and Monday, it
is still expected to be a hurricane as it moves into north Florida.
Winds of at least 40 MPH may begin as early as Sunday evening, but
the worst conditions in northwest Florida and south Georgia will be
on Monday, with wind gusts to 75 MPH possible in the heavier rain.
Such winds can bring down large tree limbs, trees, and power lines,
leading to power outages and impassable roads. The strongest winds
are likely to be east of the Apalachicola and Chattahoochee Rivers.
Conditions will gradually improve Monday night as a weakening
tropical storm Irma moves northward into central Georgia.

Storm total rain amounts of 3 to 6 inches are likely in southwest
Georgia and northwest Florida, with isolated amounts of 8 inches
possible. If Irma remains inland and gradually weakens as expected,
coastal inundation from storm surge will generally be 2 to 4 feet,
mainly along the Dixie and Taylor County coasts when the wind shifts
to the west Monday afternoon and evening. However, higher inundation
values are possible if Irma remains over the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

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

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts
across the Florida big bend. Potential impacts in this area
include:
    - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted with roadway signs
      blown over.
    - Some primary and many secondary roads are impassible due to
      debris.
    - Significant power and communication outages; potentially
      lasting for weeks.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across portions of northwest Florida and southwest Georgia.
Potential impacts include:
    - Localized heavy rainfall may result in flooding of low lying
      areas, necessitating basic precautions to protect vulnerable
      structures.
    - Rivers and associated tributary creeks and streams will rise
      and approach bankfull levels. Runoff will increase water levels
      in area holding ponds and drainage ditches, reducing storage
      capacity to absorb future rainfall.
    - Isolated flooding in low lying areas will make driving
      difficult. Ponding of water in low lying areas may result in
      brief road closures.

* SURGE:
Some impacts are anticipated at this time mainly in Taylor and Dixie
counties with inundation values of 2 to 4 feet possible.

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

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and take necessary
actions to secure your home or business. Deliberate efforts should be
underway to protect life and property. Ensure that your Emergency
Supplies Kit is stocked and ready.

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track as there are inherent forecast uncertainties
which must be taken into account.

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.

* 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 Tallahassee FL as conditions warrant.

$$
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