[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 43
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL  AL112017
543 PM EDT Sat Sep 9 2017

This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia

**HURRICANE WARNINGS AND TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS EXTENDED ACROSS
ENTIRE AREA**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning has been issued for Inland Duval
    - The Storm Surge Watch has been upgraded to a Storm Surge
      Warning and a Tropical Storm Warning have been issued for
      Coastal Camden, Coastal Glynn, and Inland Glynn
    - The Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning
      for Atkinson, Clinch, and Echols
    - The Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
      Warning for Charlton and Ware
    - The Storm Surge Watch has been upgraded to a Storm Surge
      Warning for Coastal Duval, Coastal Nassau, Flagler, and St.
      Johns
    - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
      Warning for Appling, Bacon, Brantley, Coffee, Jeff Davis,
      Pierce, and Wayne
    - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Inland Camden

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Alachua, Atkinson, Baker,
      Bradford, Clay, Clinch, Columbia, Echols, Gilchrist, Hamilton,
      Inland Nassau, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee, and Union
    - A Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Hurricane
      Watch are in effect for Coastal Camden, Coastal Glynn, and
      Inland Glynn
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Appling, Bacon,
      Brantley, Charlton, Coffee, Jeff Davis, Pierce, Ware, and Wayne
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Coastal Duval, Coastal Nassau, Flagler, Inland Duval, and St.
      Johns
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Inland Camden

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 490 miles south of Jacksonville FL or about 410 miles
      south-southeast of Ocala FL
    - 23.4N 80.5W
    - Storm Intensity 125 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 295 degrees at 9 mph

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

OVERVIEW...

Major Hurricane Irma continues northwest away from the Northern Coast
of Cuba. Major Hurricane Irma continues to be a severe and extremely
dangerous hurricane. The latest forecast track takes Irma northward
over the far western part of the Florida Peninsula.

Irma is a large hurricane and will produce far-reaching effects
regardless of where the exact center of the storm moves. The forecast
track would support category 1 hurricane-force winds along the
I-75 corridor of northern Florida, with strong tropical storm force
winds with potential gusts to hurricane force further east and over
the coastal waters, as well as across southeast Georgia. This will
result in numerous downed trees and power lines, leading to power
outages.

The forecast track also increases the threat for excessive rainfall
leading to flash flooding, as well as for tornadoes. Strong tropical
storm force winds over the coastal waters could result in a storm
surge threat, especially at times of high tide given that above normal
astronomical tides are expected.

Given the potential for significant impacts from Irma, residents of
northeast Florida and southeast Georgia are urged to complete all
preparations for the storm by this evening. Closely monitor the latest
hurricane track and intensity forecasts from the National Hurricane
Center.

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

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. Potential
impacts in this area 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 from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Widespread power and communications outages.

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible extensive
impacts across coastal Northeast Florida and coastal Southeast Georgia
and the St Johns River Basin. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding
      accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings,
      with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating
      debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period.
    - Large sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads
      washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and
      barriers may become stressed.
    - Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss.
    - Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many
      small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.
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.

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the entire area due to the threat
for flood-producing rainfall. Rainfall amounts of 5-10 inches are
expected along the I-75 corridor, with 8-15 inches and locally higher
amounts east of I-75.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. 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 spots
      of 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:
For those under evacuation orders, leave as soon as practical with a
destination in mind. Gas up your vehicle well ahead of time. Be sure
that you take all essential materials from your emergency supplies kit.
Let others know where you are going and when you intend to arrive.

If evacuating the area, stick to prescribed evacuation routes. Look
for additional traffic information on roadway smart signs and listen to
select radio channels for further travel instructions. Drivers should
not use cell phones while operating vehicles.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to bring to completion all preparations to protect
life and property in accordance with your emergency plan.

Outside preparations should be wrapped up as soon as possible before
weather conditions completely deteriorate. Any remaining evacuations
and relocations should be expedited before the onset of tropical
storm force wind.

If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible. If
heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter
rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or own a
pet. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit.
Check the latest weather forecast before departing.

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. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency
Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are
unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.

Check-in with your emergency points of contact among family, friends,
and workmates. Inform them of your status and well-being. Let them
know how you intend to ride out the storm and when you plan to
check-in again.

Keep cell phones well charged and handy. Also, cell phone chargers
for automobiles can be helpful after the storm. Locate your chargers
and keep them with your cell phone.

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.

If relocating to a nearby shelter or to the home of a family member
or friend, drive with extra caution, especially on secondary roads.
Remember, many bridges and causeways will be closed once higher winds
arrive. Also, if you encounter water covering the road, seek an
alternate route. Always obey official road signs for closures and
detours.

If you are a visitor and still in the area, listen for the name of
the city or town in which you are staying within local news updates.
Be sure you know the name of the county or parish in which it
resides. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities.

Closely monitor NOAA Weather radio or other local news outlets for
official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to
the forecast.

* 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 Jacksonville FL around Midnight EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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