[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS82 KKEY 230335
HLSKEY
FLZ076>078-231015-

Tropical Storm Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 13
National Weather Service Key West FL  AL132020
1135 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2020

This product covers the Florida Keys

**TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT ACROSS THE FLORIDA KEYS**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Monroe Lower Keys,
      Monroe Middle Keys, and Monroe Upper Keys

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 890 miles east-southeast of Key West FL or about 840
      miles east-southeast of Key Largo FL
    - 18.3N 69.6W
    - Storm Intensity 50 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 285 degrees at 16 mph

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

At 1100 PM EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Laura was located about
25 miles southeast of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, or about 890
miles east- southeast of Key West. Laura will continue to move
west-northwest overnight through the mountainous terrain of Hispaniola.
The track and intensity forecasts have not changed appreciably. A
slowly intensifying tropical storm will move west-northwest between
the Florida Keys and the coast of Cuba on Monday.

The three main concerns with Laura will be tropical storm force winds,
especially within thundery squalls, minor coastal flooding, and
isolated tornadoes.

Tropical storm force winds are most likely to arrive during the day on
Monday, continuing into Monday evening. Therefore, preparations for
Laura should be complete by Sunday evening.

Strong winds will contribute to minor coastal flooding and overwash
along shorelines. Prepare for the highest tides to reach 1 to 2 feet
higher than the high tides over the past several days.

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

* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across the
Florida Keys. Potential impacts include:
    - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
      mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
    - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
      uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
      shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
      bridges and other elevated roadways.
    - Scattered power and communications outages.

* SURGE:
Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
across Florida Keys. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
      immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
      farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
    - Sections of roads and parking lots inundated by surge water.
      Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers
      the road.
    - Moderate beach erosion.
    - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
      and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across the Florida Keys. Potential impacts include:
    - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations.
    - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually
      vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water
      occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
      areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become
      near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge
      closures.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
the Florida Keys. Potential 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:

Per Monroe County Emergency Management, a mandatory evacuation of
campers, recreational vehicles, mobile home dwellers and boat
liveaboards is in effect for Monroe County and should be completed by
noon Sunday. There are no other general mandatory evacuation orders,
including those for visitors staying in hotels or conventional lodging
structures.

Decisions are to made Sunday regarding the opening of in-county general
population storm shelters and any other needed actions.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit
and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home
or business.

When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded
on Sunday before conditions deteriorate. The onset of strong gusty
winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness activities to become
unsafe.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news
outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes
to the forecast.

There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways
to receive Tornado Warnings, whether through your cell phone, TV,
radio, or NOAA Weather Radio. Be ready to shelter quickly.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- 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/782/Emergency-Management
- For Monroe County EM Hurricane Preparedness Information, see
monroecountyem.com/1214/Hurricane-Preparedness
- For Monroe County EM Evacuation Information, see
monroecountyem.com/897/Evacuation-information
- For Monroe County shelter information, see
monroecountyem.com/992/Shelters

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

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Key West FL around 600 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

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