[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS82 KKEY 091608
HLSKEY
FLZ076>078-100015-

Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 42
National Weather Service Key West FL  AL112017
1208 PM 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 tonight 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 175 miles southeast of Key West FL or about 150 miles
      south-southeast of Marathon FL or about 160 miles
      south-southeast of Key Largo FL
    - 22.8N 79.8W
    - Storm Intensity 125 mph
    - Movement West or 280 degrees at 9 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Large and potentially catastrophic Hurricane Irma, located just off
the Cuban coast, south of Andros Island, is expected to move west-
northwestward along the north central Cuban coast this morning.
Thereafter, Hurricane Irma is expected to turn northwest through the
Straits of Florida tonight before crossing the Lower 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 damaging winds, potentially
extremely high rainfall amounts, as well as a threat of tornadoes.

Tropical storm-force winds have overspread our area with Hurricane
force winds beginning after midnight. Outdoor preparations to protect
life and property should be completed.

The time available to evacuate is becoming very short, and we
encourage all residents and visitors to leave the Florida Keys.

For those remaining, Monroe County will open four refuges of last
resort at 7 am today. No services will be available. These shelters
will remain 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 at 1-800-955-5504 for additional information.

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 Florida Keys. Potential impacts include:
    - Widespread, rapid inundation covers both primary and secondary
      roads.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:
- There is a tornado watch in effect for the Florida Keys and coastal
      waters through midnight Sunday.
    - The occurrence of 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:

For those remaining in the Florida Keys, Monroe County will open four
refuges of last resort at 7 am today. No services will be available.
These shelters will remain 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 at 1-800-955-5504 for additional 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:

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.

Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of
life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any
orders that are issued. During the storm 9 1 1 Emergency Services may
not be able to respond if conditions are unsafe. This should be a big
factor in your decision making.

If relocating to a nearby shelter or to the home of a family member or
friend, drive with extra caution.

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 3 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$


APA
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