[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Sat Nov 7 10:28:50 CST 2020

WTUS82 KKEY 071628
HLSKEY
FLZ076>078-072330-

Tropical Storm Eta Local Statement Advisory Number 28
National Weather Service Key West FL  AL292020
1128 AM EST Sat Nov 7 2020

This product covers the Florida Keys

**TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
      Warning for the Lower, Middle, and Upper Florida Keys, and the
      Warning includes the Dry Tortugas

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for all the Florida Keys

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 340 miles south of Key West FL or about 390 miles south-
      southwest of Key Largo FL
    - 19.6N 81.8W
    - Storm Intensity 40 mph
    - Movement Northeast or 55 degrees at 17 mph

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

At 1000 AM EST, the center of Tropical Depression Eta was located
about 45 miles west northwest of Grand Cayman. Eta is forecast to
continue to the northeast this afternoon and will be near central Cuba
tonight and Sunday, and approach the Florida Keys or south Florida
Sunday night and Monday.

The risk for multiple hazards is increasing for the Florida Keys,
including a long period of tropical storm force winds, coastal
flooding, heavy rainfall, and isolated tornadoes.

Eta is expected to have a large area of strong winds and squally
weather extending well to the north and east of the circulation
center. Continue to closely monitor later forecasts and do not focus
on the exact forecast track of the center of Eta.

Tropical storm conditions are most likely to arrive Sunday evening,
continuing through Monday evening, with conditions gradually improving
late Monday night into Tuesday morning. There is the potential for
strong tropical storm force winds during this time. Therefore,
preparations for Eta should be completed by midday Sunday at the
latest.

Strong winds will contribute to coastal flooding and overwash along
shorelines beginning Sunday night. Tidal anomalies are running about
three quarters of a foot above normal, and Eta could result in one to
two additional feet of saltwater flooding, especially along the
Gulfside of the Lower Keys.

Heavy rainfall of 5 to 10 inches with isolated maximum totals near
15 inches may cause significant rainwater flooding, including areas
not impacted by coastal flooding.

Isolated tornadoes will be possible as Eta approaches and moves
through the Keys from Sunday night through Monday night.

Monroe County Emergency Management continues to evaluate transient RV
and camper evacuations, as well as local general population sheltering
for liveaboards, mobile homes, and the homeless. Monroe County school
closures have not been announced, but schools may be closed on Monday
if they are needed for in-county sheltering. A decision on sheltering
at the schools will be made later today.

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

* WIND:
Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts
across the Florida Keys. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to
      porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. Mobile homes damaged,
      especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become
      dangerous projectiles.
    - Some large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in
      places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway
      signs blown over.
    - Isolated power and communications outages.

* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
across the 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:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across the Middle and Upper Keys. Potential impacts include:
    - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt some evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations.
      Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid
      inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
      areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as
      storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions
      become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.

Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across the Lower Keys.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against 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, 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:

There are no evacuation orders in effect for Keys residents or
visitors. Monroe County Emergency Management continues to evaluate
possible evacuation orders for transient recreational vehicles and
campers.

* 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 making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging
wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the
center of the storm.

When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded
as soon as possible 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 430 PM EST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

CLR
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