[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 45
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL  AL112017
533 AM EDT Sun Sep 10 2017

This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia

**EYE OF IRMA ABOUT TO MOVE ACROSS THE LOWER FLORIDA KEYS**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Coastal Duval, Coastal Nassau, Flagler, Inland Duval, and St.
      Johns
    - A Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Hurricane
      Watch are in effect for Coastal Camden, Coastal Glynn, and
      Inland Glynn
    - 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 Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Inland Camden
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Appling, Bacon,
      Brantley, Charlton, Coffee, Jeff Davis, Pierce, Ware, and Wayne

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 430 miles south of Jacksonville FL or about 350 miles
      south of Ocala FL
    - 24.1N 81.5W
    - Storm Intensity 130 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 8 mph

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

OVERVIEW...

Category 4 Hurricane Irma is moving towards the Florida Keys this
morning. The outer most rainbands from the hurricane were beginning to
move into north central Florida, and conditions will deteriorate
throughout the day. The latest forecast track takes Irma northward
along the western part of the Florida Peninsula and into the Big Bend
region near Tallahassee Monday afternoon.

Irma is a very large hurricane and will produce far-reaching effects
across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. The main concerns will
be the potential for significant to devastating wind damage, and
significant surge along the southeast Georgia and northeast Florida
coasts including the St. Johns River. In addition, there is a threat
for excessive rainfall and flash flooding. The threat for tornadoes
will also increase today through Monday.

Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to
completion this morning!

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

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across the Suwannee Valley of northeast Florida. 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.

Also, protect against life-threatening wind having possible limited
to extensive impacts across the rest of northeast Florida and southeast
Georgia.

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across coastal Northeast Florida and coastal Southeast Georgia
and the St Johns River Basin. Potential impacts in
this area 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, and piers.
      Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
devastating impacts along and east of Highway 301 in northeast 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.

Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across the rest of northeast Florida and southeast
Georgia.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across coastal 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.

Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across the rest of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

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

* 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 12 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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