[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 48
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL  AL112017
1140 PM EDT Sun Sep 10 2017

This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia

**HURRICANE FORCE WIND GUSTS SPREADING INTO NORTHEAST FLORIDA**

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 200 miles south of Jacksonville FL or about 120 miles
      south of Ocala FL or about 150 miles south of Gainesville FL
    - 27.5N 81.9W
    - Storm Intensity 100 mph
    - Movement North or 350 degrees at 14 mph

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

Hurricane Irma was moving northward across central Florida and is
expected to continue north to northwest across the Florida peninsula
through Monday morning while slowly weakening. A very strong band to
the northeast of the center will produce hurricane force wind gusts along
the northeast Florida coastline overnight into Monday morning.
Hurricane force winds are also expected to begin across north central
Florida and the Big Bend region overnight as Hurricane Irma moves
across this region. Prolonged period of extreme winds will cause
widespread wind damage to trees and power lines, as well as structural
damage across the area. We urge you to go to seek shelter in an
interior room away from doors and windows for the duration of the high
winds.

Significant surge is also expected along the southeast Georgia and
northeast Florida coasts including the St. Johns River. In addition,
excessive rainfall was falling and flash flooding is likely. A Tornado
Watch is in effect for our region.


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

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. Remain well sheltered from
life-threatening wind having additional extensive
impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
      window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
      damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.
      Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be
      uninhabitable for weeks.
    - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
      roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and
      access routes impassable.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
coastal southeast Georgia and northeast Florida including the St. Johns
River Basin. Remain well away from life-threatening
surge having additional significant impacts. If
realized, these impacts 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:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. Remain well guarded against
life-threatening flood waters having additional
devastating impacts. If realized, these 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:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across northeast
Florida and coastal southeast Georgia. Remain well braced against a
dangerous tornado event having additional 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.
    - 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:
Do not return to evacuated areas until
hazardous winds diminish and flood waters abate.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to 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.

Continue to keep your cell phone well charged for as long as
possible. If you lose power, use it more sparingly and mainly for
personal emergencies and check-ins. Do not overload communications
systems with idle chatter.

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.

* 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 6 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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