[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 48
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL  AL112017
1210 AM EDT Mon Sep 11 2017

This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida

 **IRMA MOVING NORTH THROUGH CENTRAL FLORIDA**


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 130 miles south-southeast of Cedar Key FL or about 50
      miles east of Mouth of Tampa Bay FL
    - 27.5N 81.9W
    - Storm Intensity 100 mph
    - Movement North or 350 degrees at 14 mph

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

Hurricane Irma is continuing to produce extremely dangerous wind gusts
over interior portions of west central Florida as it moves north
through the state.

Along with the wind threat, storm surge is still a concern as winds
turn onshore in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

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

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across all
of west-central and southwest Florida. Remain well sheltered from life-
threatening wind having 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 from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Widespread power and communications outages.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
areas of southwest Florida. Remain well away from life-threatening
surge having extensive impacts. If realized, these impacts 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.

Potential impacts from the main surge event will soon be unfolding
across west-central Florida as the center of Hurricane Irma continues
to move north and the winds become onshore. Remain well away from
life-threatening surge having significant impacts.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across all
of west-central and southwest Florida. Remain well guarded against
life-threatening flood waters having possible 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 interior
portions of west central Florida. Remain well braced against a tornado
event having additional limited impacts. If realized, these impacts
include:
    - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution
      of emergency plans during tropical events.
    - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power
      and communications disruptions.
    - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys
      toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned,
      large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees
      knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats
      pulled from moorings.

Elsewhere across West Central and Southwest Florida, little to no
impact is anticipated.

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.

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 Tampa Bay Ruskin FL around 6 AM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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