[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Mon Sep 11 04:45:44 CDT 2017

WTUS82 KTAE 110945
HLSTAE
ALZ065>069-FLZ007>019-026>029-034-108-112-114-115-118-127-128-134-GAZ120>131-142>148-155>161-111745-

Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 49
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL  AL112017
545 AM EDT Mon Sep 11 2017 /445 AM CDT Mon Sep 11 2017/

This product covers EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE...FLORIDA BIG BEND...SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA AND SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA

**SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS EXPECTED THROUGH THE DAY FROM HURRICANE IRMA
THAT WILL LEAD TO PROLONGED POWER OUTAGES AND IMPASSABLE ROADS**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled and a Tropical Storm
      Warning has been issued for Baker, Berrien, Calhoun, Clay,
      Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Gadsden, Lanier,
      Lee, Liberty, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole,
      Terrell, Tift, and Worth

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Coastal Dixie, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, and Coastal
      Wakulla
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baker, Ben Hill,
      Berrien, Calhoun, Calhoun, Central Walton, Clay, Coastal Bay,
      Coastal Gulf, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Dale, Decatur, Dougherty,
      Early, Gadsden, Geneva, Henry, Holmes, Houston, Inland Bay,
      Inland Gulf, Irwin, Jackson, Lanier, Lee, Liberty, Miller,
      Mitchell, North Walton, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, South
      Walton, Terrell, Tift, Turner, Washington, and Worth
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Brooks, Coastal Franklin,
      Grady, Inland Dixie, Inland Franklin, Inland Jefferson, Inland
      Taylor, Inland Wakulla, Lafayette, Leon, Lowndes, Madison, and
      Thomas

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 150 miles southeast of TALLAHASSEE
    - 28.9N 82.6W
    - Storm Intensity 75 mph
    - Movement North-northwest or 340 degrees at 18 mph

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

OVERVIEW...

Irma continues to move north-northwestward over the northern Florida
Peninsula at this hour, maintaining minimal Hurricane strength. People
in the path of this storm are urged to shelter in place tonight and
tomorrow through the remainder of the event, heeding instructions from
local officials on any curfews in affect. Tropical storm force winds
will persist across Florida Big Bend through the day, while spreading
inland across southern Georgia and southeast Alabama. Hurricane force
wind gusts remain possible through the morning, mainly across the
eastern Big Bend. Overall durations of tropical storm force winds
could exceed 15 hours with a portion of this time including hurricane
force winds. This prolonged period of high winds will cause widespread
wind damage to trees and power lines, as well as structural damage
across the area. We urge you to continue to seek shelter in an
interior room away from doors and windows for the duration of the high
winds. In addition, there is the danger of life threatening storm surge
across the Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, and Dixie county coasts. Do not
stay in a flood prone area along these coast lines. Follow instructions
from your local officials and complete all preparations before this
evening. Conditions will gradually improve Monday night as Irma
continues northward. Anticipate impassable roads and extensive power
outages in the wake of the storm.

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

* WIND:
Impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across the Florida
Big Bend. Remain well sheltered from life-threatening wind having
possible extensive impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Major damage to frame built homes, with some experiencing
      partial roof or wall collapse. Numerous windows and garage
      doors will fail, leading to additional structural damage.
      Mobile homes significantly damaged, with many destroyed. Damage
      increased by large projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable
      for days to weeks.
    - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted with roadway signs
      blown over.
    - Some primary and many secondary roads are impassible due to
      debris.
    - Significant power and communication outages; potentially lasting
      for weeks.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the coastal Florida Big Bend. Remain well away from life-threatening
surge having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts
include:
    - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding, mainly along
      the immediate coast or in low lying areas just inland. Higher
      waves may locally increase area of flooding.
    - Isolated sections of coastal highways and access roads flooded,
      making traveling in these areas dangerous due to flood waters.
    - Moderate beach erosion. Large breakers will will erode dunes in
      more vulnerable locations.
    - Minor damage to marinas, docks, and piers. A few small craft
      not secured prior to the storm will break away from moorings.

Elsewhere across EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE...FLORIDA BIG
BEND...SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA AND SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA, little to no
impact is anticipated.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain remain possible through the
day, mainly across eastern Florida Big Bend and south central Georgia.
Remain well guarded against life- threatening flood waters having
possible extensive impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Major flooding from rainfall will prompt evacuations in flood
      prone areas. Those not heeding evacuations in these locations
      face serious injury or death.
    - Rivers and associated tributary creeks and stream will rise and
      overflow into the flood plain. Runoff will put stress on area
      holding ponds and drainage ditches, increasing the likelihood
      of widespread urban flooding.
    - Flood waters will impact structures in low lying areas, as well
      as those in the flood plain, possibly entering buildings. Urban
      flooding will result in several road closures and some
      washouts. A few overpasses may be weakened by fast moving flood
      waters. Driving conditions are very dangerous.

* TORNADOES:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across EASTERN
FLORIDA PANHANDLE...FLORIDA BIG BEND...SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA AND
SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA.

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

* EVACUATIONS:

With the event ongoing, do not return to evacuated areas until
hazardous winds diminish and flood waters abate. Listen for the all-
clear signal from local authorities. Understand that many roads will be
impassible due to downed trees and traffic signals may be out due to
power outages. Traffic signals that are out should be treated as a four
way stop sign.

* 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.

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
issued for you area, 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

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Tallahassee FL as conditions warrant.

$$
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