[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Ian Local Statement Special Advisory Number 23
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL  AL092022
726 AM EDT Wed Sep 28 2022

This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida

**RAPIDLY INTENSIFYING IAN FORECAST TO CAUSE CATASTROPHIC STORM
SURGE, WINDS, AND FLOODING IN THE FLORIDA PENINSULA**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Lee, Coastal
      Manatee, Coastal Sarasota, Inland Lee, and Pinellas
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands,
      Inland Charlotte, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Manatee, Inland
      Sarasota, and Polk
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Levy, and Coastal
      Pasco
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Inland Citrus, Inland
      Hernando, Inland Levy, Inland Pasco, and Sumter

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 80 miles southwest of Fort Myers FL or about 100 miles
      south of Sarasota FL
    - 25.9N 82.8W
    - Storm Intensity 155 mph
    - Movement North-northeast or 15 degrees at 9 mph

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

Hurricane Ian continues to intensify and has now strengthened into
a category 4 hurricane. Ian is currently moving north-northeast at
10mph and is expected to make landfall along the west coast of Florida
later today. Numerous local impacts are expected with watches and
warnings continuing across the area. Residents should hunker down for
the duration of the storm.

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

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
southwest Florida. Remain well away from life-threatening
surge having possible catastrophic impacts. If
realized, these impacts include:
    - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly
      accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to
      buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded
      from considerable floating debris. Locations may be
      uninhabitable for an extended period.
    - Near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or
      severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become
      stressed.
    - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible.
    - Massive damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
      Numerous small craft broken away from moorings with many lifted
      onshore and stranded.

Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
across Tampa Bay and the Nature Coast. Remain well away from
life-threatening surge having possible significant to devastating
impacts.

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across west central and southwest Florida. Potential impacts
in this area include:
    - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof
      and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage
      greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations
      may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
    - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
      roadway signs blown over.
    - Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Widespread power and communications outages.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
devastating impacts across west central and southwest Florida.
Potential 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:
Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across west central and southwest Florida. Potential 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 boats tossed about. Dangerous
      projectiles can add to the toll.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Do not enter evacuated areas until officials have given the all
clear to return.

* 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.

During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your
shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best
foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather.

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 venture outside while in the eye of a hurricane as any
improvement in weather will only be temporary. Once the eye passes,
conditions will become life threatening as winds immediately return
to dangerous speeds, so remain safely sheltered from the storm.

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 prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch
or warning, 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.

If an Extreme Wind Warning is issued for your area, move to the
safest place within your 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 Tampa Bay Ruskin FL around 12 PM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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