[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Fri Sep 8 23:30:30 CDT 2017

WTUS82 KKEY 090430
HLSKEY
FLZ076>078-091230-

Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 40
National Weather Service Key West FL  AL112017
1230 AM EDT Sat Sep 9 2017

This product covers Florida Keys

**Severe Hurricane Irma is moving toward the Florida Keys, and may
bring potentially catastrophic impacts Saturday night and Sunday**

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 310 miles east-southeast of Key West FL or about 280
      miles southeast of Marathon FL or about 270 miles southeast of
      Key Largo FL
    - 22.1N 77.7W
    - Storm Intensity 160 mph
    - Movement West or 280 degrees at 13 mph

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

Huge and Potentially catastrophic Hurricane Irma, located just off
the Cuban coast, south of Andros Island, is expected to move west,
then west-northwest along the north central Cuban coast tonight.
Thereafter, Hurricane Irma is expected to turn northwest and into
the Straits of Florida Saturday night before crossing somewhere in
the Lower or Middle Keys Sunday morning and early afternoon.
Regardless of where Irma makes landfall, all significant hurricane
impact threats are likely this weekend for the entire Florida Keys,
including catastrophic and life threatening storm surge flooding and
destructive winds, potentially extremely high rainfall amounts, as
well as a threat of tornadoes.

Most Likely Arrival Time of tropical storm-force winds will be around
mid day Saturday with Hurricane force winds beginning sometime Saturday
night. Preparations to protect life and property should completed now
now.

There is still some time to evacuate, and we encourage all residents
and visitors to leave the Florida Keys.

For those remaining, Monroe County is opening four refuges of last
resort, to open at 7 am on Saturday. No services will be available.
These shelters will remain open open until winds decrease below
tropical storm-force. They are not recovery shelters.

The refuges of last resort are: Coral Shores High School, Marathon
High School, Sugarloaf School, and Key West High School. Consult
www.monroecountyEM.com for additional information.

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

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible devastating
impacts across 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.

Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible
extensive impacts across The Florida Keys.

* 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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across Florida Keys. Potential impacts include:
    - Major rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and road
      closures. Rescues of special needs residents from ground floor
      homes and of motorists may be necessary.
    - Several locations may experience major rainfall flooding.
      Widespread, rapid inundation covers both primary and secondary
      roads.Some damage to vehicles and ground floor homes and
      businesses.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
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 is closed.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Weather conditions have begun to deteriorate, particularly within
rainbands already spreading across the Florida Keys. Preparation to
protect life and property should be completed or nearing completion.

Any remaining evacuations and relocations should be expedited before
the onset of sustained tropical storm force wind.

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
pulled from the field. Thereafter, Keys Energy crews will not attempt
to restore power until its safe and the storm has passed.

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.

Closely monitor NOAA Weather radio or other local news outlets for
official storm information. Be ready to adapt to 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 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
monroecountyem.com/index.aspx?NID=1
- For Monroe County evacuation information, see
monroecountyem.com/index.aspx?NID=255
- For information on shelters located outside of Monroe County, see
monroecountyem.com/index.aspx?nid=122
- For Monroe County shelter information, see
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 530 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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