[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Mon Sep 11 07:17:50 CDT 2017

WTUS82 KJAX 111217 AAA
HLSJAX
FLZ020>025-030>033-035>038-040-124-125-GAZ132>136-149>154-162>166-112030-

Tropical Storm Irma Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 49A...UPDATED
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL  AL112017
817 AM EDT Mon Sep 11 2017

This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia

**IRMA WEAKENS TO A TROPICAL STORM BUT STILL PRODUCING SOME WIND
GUSTS TO NEAR HURRICANE FORCE**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled and a Tropical Storm
      Warning has been issued for Alachua, Atkinson, Baker, Bradford,
      Clay, Clinch, Coastal Duval, Coastal Nassau, Columbia, Echols,
      Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Inland Duval, Inland Nassau,
      Marion, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee, and Union
    - The Hurricane Watch has been cancelled for Coastal Camden,
      Coastal Glynn, Inland Camden, and Inland Glynn

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Coastal Camden, Coastal Duval, Coastal Glynn, Coastal
      Nassau, Flagler, Inland Duval, Inland Glynn, and St. Johns
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Alachua, Appling,
      Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Bradford, Brantley, Charlton, Clay,
      Clinch, Coffee, Columbia, Echols, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Inland
      Camden, Inland Nassau, Jeff Davis, Marion, Pierce, Putnam,
      Suwannee, Union, Ware, and Wayne

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 110 miles southwest of Jacksonville FL or about 40 miles
      west-southwest of Gainesville FL
    - 29.5N 82.9W
    - Storm Intensity 70 mph
    - Movement North-northwest or 340 degrees at 18 mph

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

Tropical Storm Irma was moving northward across north central Florida
this morning...and is expected to continue north to northwest into
Southwest Georgia this afternoon. Irma is expected to weaken gradually
later today. Strong and persistent rainbands will continue to rotate
east to west across the area...producing flash flooding and tropical
storm and hurricane force winds across much of the area. The extreme
rainfall rates and heavy rainfall that has already occurred may prompt
evacuations and rescues. The high winds will cause damage to power
lines and down trees as well as structural damage to homes and
business. The highest winds are expected to be over northeast FL, and
with maximum wind speeds along the coastal areas and also across
Marion, Alachua, and Gilchrist counties where the center will be near
those areas in the morning hours. We urge you to remain in shelter in
an interior room away from doors and windows for the duration of the
high winds. We anticipate that tropical storm force winds will shift
north of the area by this afternoon and evening.

Significant surge is also expected along the southeast Georgia and
northeast Florida coasts including the St. Johns River and downtown
Jacksonville. Excessive rainfall was falling and flash flooding is
likely. A Tornado Watch is in effect for most of our region until 11
AM.

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

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
southeast Georgia and northeast Florida. Remain well sheltered from
life-threatening wind having possible 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 areas of northeast FL and southeast Georgia and the St Johns
River basin including the city of Jacksonville. Remain well away from
life- threatening surge having 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
portions of northeast Florida and all of southeast Georgia. 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 portions of
Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Remain well braced against a tornado
event having possible 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.

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

* EVACUATIONS:

Do not return to evacuated areas until hazardous winds diminish and
flood waters abate. Listen for the all-clear signal from local
authorities.

* 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 Jacksonville FL around NOON, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
This weather bulletin was brought to you by:
www.nashvilleweather.net