[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 41
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL  AL112017
552 AM EDT Sat Sep 9 2017 /452 AM CDT Sat Sep 9 2017/

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

**HURRICANE AND TROPICAL STORM WATCHES EXTENDED INTO SOUTHWEST
GEORGIA**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Baker, Ben Hill,
      Calhoun, Clay, Decatur, Early, Gadsden, Irwin, Lee, Liberty,
      Miller, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Terrell, and Turner
    - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Berrien, Brooks,
      Colquitt, Cook, Dougherty, Grady, Lanier, Lowndes, Mitchell,
      Thomas, Tift, and Worth

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Berrien, Brooks, Coastal
      Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor,
      Coastal Wakulla, Colquitt, Cook, Dougherty, Grady, Inland
      Dixie, Inland Franklin, Inland Jefferson, Inland Taylor, Inland
      Wakulla, Lafayette, Lanier, Leon, Lowndes, Madison, Mitchell,
      Thomas, Tift, and Worth
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Baker, Ben Hill,
      Calhoun, Clay, Decatur, Early, Gadsden, Irwin, Lee, Liberty,
      Miller, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Terrell, and Turner

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 640 miles south-southeast of TALLAHASSEE
    - 22.5N 78.8W
    - Storm Intensity 155 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 285 degrees at 12 mph

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

Irma is expected to have a significant impact across a large portion
of the Florida big bend and southern Georgia with wind damage to numerous
trees and power lines. Widespread and extended power outages are possible.
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.

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

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts
across the Florida big bend and southwest Georgia. 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.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE...FLORIDA BIG
BEND...SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA AND SOUTHWESTERN 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.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across portions
of south central Georgia and the southeast Florida big bend. Potential
impacts include:
    - Isolated tornadoes are expected, resulting in a notable impact
      to affected communities.
    - Isolated areas affected by tornadoes will experience minor
      damage, including some damage to structures and sporadic power
      and communication outages.
    - A few structures will be damaged by tornadoes, mainly with loss
      of shingles or siding. Some mobile homes will be significantly
      damaged, especially those unanchored. Large trees will be
      snapped or uprooted.

Elsewhere across EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE...FLORIDA BIG
BEND...SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA AND SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA, little to no
impact is anticipated.

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.

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.

* 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 around , or sooner if conditions warrant.

$$
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