[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 40
National Weather Service Melbourne FL  AL112017
1253 AM EDT Sat Sep 9 2017

This product covers EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA

**HURRICANE WARNING EXTENDED NORTHWARD TO INCLUDE BREVARD AND OSCEOLA
 COUNTIES**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Storm Surge and Hurricane Watches for Brevard County have
      been upgraded to a Storm Surge Warning and a Hurricane Warning.
    - The Hurricane Watch for Osceola County has been upgraded to a
      Hurricane Warning.

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 500 miles south-southeast of Orlando FL or about 380
      miles south-southeast of Stuart FL
    - 22.1N 77.7W
    - Storm Intensity 160 mph
    - Movement West or 280 degrees at 13 mph

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

Category 5 Hurricane Irma continues to move westward along the north
coast of Cuba. Irma is expected to turn toward the north-northwest
later today and then cross the Florida Keys as an intense hurricane
Sunday morning. Irma is then forecast to move northward over the
Florida peninsula late Sunday through 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. Winds of
strong tropical storm to Category 1 hurricane force are expected to
produce widespread damage well east of Irma's track, across east
central Florida. 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 of 15 to 20 inches.

A Flood Watch has been issued for all of east central Florida.

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 this 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 sunset on Saturday evening.

Wind driven water inundation will 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:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible significant to
devastating impacts across the region. Potential impacts in this area
include:

    - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with roof and wall
      failures in areas closest to the track of Irm's center.
      Significant damage to mobile homes with some destroyed.
    - 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. Some access routes impassable.
    - Widespread power and communications outages.

Also, prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts across east central Florida.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA. Potential impacts
include:

    - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may
      become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may
      become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
      Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
      underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
      Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts
from Flagler Beach to Jupiter Inlet. Potential impacts in these areas
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.

* TORNADOES:
Tornadoes may have significant impacts across east central Florida.
Potential impacts include:

    - The occurrence of scattered 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 6 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

Cristaldi
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