[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Sat Sep 9 23:42:07 CDT 2017

WTUS82 KTBW 100441
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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 44
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL  AL112017
1241 AM EDT Sun Sep 10 2017

This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida

**IRMA APPEARS TO BE MAKING A MORE DEFINED TURN TO THE NORTHWEST**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands,
      Inland Charlotte, Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland
      Hillsborough, Inland Levy, Inland Manatee, Inland Pasco, Inland
      Sarasota, Polk, and Sumter
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal
      Hillsborough, Coastal Lee, Coastal Levy, Coastal Manatee,
      Coastal Pasco, Coastal Sarasota, Inland Lee, and Pinellas

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 220 miles south-southeast of Fort Myers FL
    - 23.5N 81.0W
    - Storm Intensity 120 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 305 degrees at 6 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Dangerous Hurricane Irma is moving slowly northwest away from the north
coast of Cuba and is forecast to approach the southwest Florida coast
as a major hurricane Sunday morning. Although the amount of intensification
expected from Irma has been decreased with the latest forecasts through
Sunday morning...make no mistake that Irma is still a dangerous hurricane...
and is forecast to move near or over the west coast of the Florida peninsula
Sunday through early Monday morning with the potential for significant and life
threatening impacts from wind...surge...and rain.

Winds will gust to tropical storm force as fast-moving squalls move
across southwest Florida later tonight. These squalls will increase in
frequency and intensity during the day Sunday as the outer rainbands of Irma
spread north over the Florida peninsula. Given the current forecast track, a
period of damaging winds is expected across ALL of west-central and
southwest Florida between late Sunday morning and Monday morning.

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

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across West Central and Southwest Florida. 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 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 devastating
impacts across the entire coastline of west-central and southwest
Florida. This threat includes the Nature Coast...Tampa Bay...the
Florida Suncoast...and Charlotte Harbor. 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.
    - Near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or
      severely flooded. 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 west-central and southwest Florida. Potential
impacts include:
    - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks
      in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks,
      canals, and ditches may become raging rivers. Flood control
      systems and barriers may become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape
      routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water
      with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very
      dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened
      or washed out.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across west-central and southwest Florida. The greatest threat
for isolated tornadoes will occur along and to the east of the track
of Irma.
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.

For those not under evacuation orders, understand that there are
inherent risks to evacuation (such as traffic congestion, accidents,
and driving in bad weather), so evacuate only if necessary. Help keep
roadways open for those that are under evacuation orders.

If you are exceptionally vulnerable to wind or water hazards from
tropical systems, consider voluntary evacuation, especially if being
officially recommended. Relocate to a predetermined shelter or safe
destination.

If evacuating away from the area or relocating to a nearby shelter,
leave early before weather conditions become hazardous.

Levy County:          http://www.levydisaster.com
Citrus County:        http://www.sheriffcitrus.org
Sumter County:        http://www.sumtercountyfl.gov
Hernando County:      http://www.hernandocounty.us
Pasco County:         http://www.pascocountyfl.net
Pinellas County:      http://www.pinellascounty.org
Hillsborough County:  http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org
Polk County:          http://www.polk-county.net
Manatee County:       http://www.mymanatee.org
Hardee County:        http://www.hardeecounty.net
Desoto County:        http://www.desotobocc.com
Sarasota County:      http://www.scgov.net
Highlands County:     http://www.hcbcc.net
Charlotte County:     http://www.charlottecountyfl.gov
Lee County:           http://www.leegov.com

* 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.

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.

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 Tampa Bay Ruskin FL around 7 AM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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