[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS82 KKEY 101007
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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 45
National Weather Service Key West FL  AL112017
607 AM EDT Sun Sep 10 2017

This product covers Florida Keys

**Severe Hurricane Irma is drawing near the Lower and portions of the
 Middle Keys, and and will likely result in catastrophic impacts for
 portions of these areas this morning**

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 30 miles south-southeast of Key West FL or about 50 miles
      south-southwest of Marathon FL or about 100 miles southwest of
      Key Largo FL
    - 24.1N 81.5W
    - Storm Intensity 130 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 8 mph

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

Everyone in the Florida Keys needs to remain indoors, stay safe and
hunker down in an interior room away from windows. Ensure you have
proper footwear. The worst is yet to come.

Large and potentially catastrophic Hurricane Irma, is moving northwest
to northward through the Straits of Florida, and drawing very near the
Lower Keys. Irma eyewall will begin impacting the Lower Keys and the
westernmost portion of the Middle Keys between 700 am and 800 am. The
intense winds associated with the eyewall is expected to arrive in the
Lower Keys and westernmost Middle Keys in the very near future.
Conditions will become potentially catastrophic in the extremely
dangerous eyewall. All residents take heed.

Regardless of where Irma makes landfall, most of the Florida Keys will
be affected by all hurricane threats, with the greatest impacts
falling upon the Lower Keys and portions of Marathon.

Strong Sustained Hurricane Force winds are imminent, and will persist
through the morning. Hurricane force winds will abate this afternoon.

A reasonable worst case scenario is for storm surge values of 5 to 10
feet above ground, with the highest values near and to the right of the
eye. Storm surge is likely already occurring, and will peak around
midday, and abate early Monday morning.

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

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the Florida Keys. Remain well away from life-threatening surge having
possible devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts 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.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
Florida Keys. Remain well sheltered from life-threatening wind having
possible devastating impacts. If realized, these 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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
Florida Keys. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters
having possible devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts
include:
    - Tremendous rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and
      road closures. Rescues of special needs residents from ground
      floor homes and of motorists may be necessary.
    - Several locations may experience rainfall flooding at or near
      historic levels. Widespread, rapid inundation covers both
      primary and secondary roads.Damage to vehicles and ground floor
      homes and businesses.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across Florida
Keys. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having
possible significant impacts. If realized, these 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.
    - Frame home roofs may be torn off, mobile homes demolished,
      large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles overturned, and small
      boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the damage.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
If conditions at your current shelter becomes life-threatening, there
are five shelters of last resort. They are located at Harvey Government
Center in Key West, Coral Shores High School, Marathon High School,
Sugarloaf School, and Key West High School.

No services will be available. The shelters of last resort will remain
open only until winds decrease below tropical storm-force. They are not
recovery shelters. Consult www.monroecountyEM.com at 1-800-955-5504 for
additional information.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Remain safely sheltered from the storm. Stay inside and away from
windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical
power. Locate your battery powered radio and flashlight from your
Emergency Supplies Kit. Keep these items close.

During the peak of the storm, keep your shoes on and rain gear handy.
Boots and tennis shoes offer the best foot protection if you become
unexpectedly exposed to the elements.

Do not venture outside while in the eye of a hurricane. Within the
eye, weather conditions may temporarily improve which can be
misleading. Once the eye passes, the wind will change direction and
return to dangerous speeds. Heavy rain will also return. Be smart and
remain safely hidden from the storm.

Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos. Be wise and avoid becoming another statistic.

Be ready to move to the identified safe room if your home or shelter
begins to fail. Quickly move to an interior room on the lowest floor.
Put as many sturdy walls between you and the storm as you can.
Protect your head and body.

When major hurricanes make landfall, extreme winds bring a tremendous
threat to life and cause devastating to catastrophic damage. During
landfall, listen for extreme wind warnings which indicate the exact
timing and location of these incredible life-threatening winds. If an
extreme wind warning is issued for the Florida Keys, move to the
safest place within your home or shelter. Take the same life-saving
actions as if it were a violent tornado.

* 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 as conditions warrant.

$$
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