[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

EMWIN Server emwin at nashvilleweather.net
Sun Nov 8 21:33:43 CST 2020


WTUS82 KKEY 090333
HLSKEY
FLZ076>078-091145-

Tropical Storm Eta Local Statement Advisory Number 35
National Weather Service Key West FL  AL292020
1033 PM EST Sun Nov 8 2020

This product covers the Florida Keys

**TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS SPREADING ACROSS THE FLORIDA KEYS**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Monroe Lower Keys, Monroe Middle Keys, and Monroe Upper Keys

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 40 miles east-southeast of Marathon FL
    - 24.6N 80.5W
    - Storm Intensity 65 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 305 degrees at 14 mph

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

At 10 PM EST, the center of Tropical Storm Eta was located about 40
miles east-southeast of Marathon. Eta is moving to the northwest at 14
mph. Eta is forecast to pass near or over the Florida Keys tonight and
early Monday, then be over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico late Monday
and Tuesday.

Impacts from multiple hazards will continue overnight and Monday
across the Florida Keys, including an extended period of strong
tropical storm force or possibly Category 1 hurricane force winds,
storm surge, heavy rainfall, and isolated tornadoes.

Eta has a large wind field, with tropical storm force winds extending
up to 310 miles to the north and east of the center. These winds will
continue to sweep across the Keys during the overnight hours into
Monday, as the center of Eta moves over the island chain and into the
Gulf waters.

Tropical storm conditions are ongoing in parts of the Upper Keys, with
Carysfort Reef Light, located along the Florida Reef several miles
east of North Key Largo, recently reporting sustained winds of 57 mph
and gusts to 72 mph. Tropical storm force winds will spread westward
across the Middle and Lower Keys during the next few hours. Expect
sustained winds of 45 to 65 mph and gusts around 80 mph, with
hurricane conditions possible. These conditions will then continue
through much of Monday, with conditions gradually improving late
Monday and Monday night. All preparations for Eta should be complete.

Strong winds will contribute to storm surge and overwash along
shorelines overnight through Monday. Storm surge values will reach
2 to 3 feet oceanside, 2 to 4 feet for Gulf side locations of the
Lower Keys, and 1 to 2 feet for the remaining locations of the Florida
Keys. Note, the high tides over the past several days have already
equated to a storm surge value of around a foot, so plan for surge to
be 1 to 3 feet higher than the recent high tides.

Heavy rainfall of 6 to 12 inches with isolated maximum totals near
18 inches may cause significant rainwater flooding, including areas
not impacted by storm surge.

Isolated tornadoes will be possible as Eta moves near the Keys
overnight and Monday.

In-county storm shelters are open at Key West, Marathon and Coral
Shores High Schools. COVID-19 protective measures will be strictly
enforced, and rapid-testing kits will be used to screen people
arriving at the shelters. All three shelters are pet-friendly.

All state parks in the Florida Keys are closed through Monday. The
Snake Creek Drawbridge will remain locked down for the duration of
severe weather. Key West International Airport and Marathon Airport
are closed. Monroe County schools will be closed and virtual classes
are cancelled on Monday. Monroe County courts and the tax collectors
office will also be closed on Monday.

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

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across the
Florida Keys. Remain well sheltered from dangerous wind having
possible extensive impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Minor roof damage to buildings. Mobile homes damaged. Damage
      accentuated by airborne projectiles.
    - Large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway
      signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from debris. Several bridges, causeways,
      and access routes impassable.
    - Areas with power and communications outages.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the Florida Keys. Remain well away from dangerous surge having
possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
      waves. Damage to buildings, mainly near the coast.
    - Sections of escape routes and secondary roads become weakened
      or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low spots.
    - Beach erosion.
    - 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 the
Florida Keys. Remain well guarded against dangerous flood waters having
possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several 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.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across the Florida
Keys. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having
possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution
      of emergency plans during tropical events.
    - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots
      of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
    - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile
      homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or
      uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about.
      Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
No general mandatory resident or visitor evacuations have been
implemented for the Keys. Residents and visitors who have stayed in the
Keys should remain indoors until weather conditions improve. Be aware
that normal visitor activities will remain suspended until weather
conditions improve. There is the potential for power, communications
and other infrastructure service interruptions.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for
updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a battery-
powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.

Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose
power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-
ins.

Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos.

Quickly move to the safest place within your shelter if it begins to
fail, preferably an interior room on the lowest floor as long as
flooding is not a concern.

If you are in an area prone to flooding, be prepared for the
possibility of a quick and dramatic rise in water levels.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the
safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body.

* 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 5 AM EST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

Jacobson
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