[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Tropical Storm Idalia Local Statement Advisory Number 5
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL  AL102023
520 PM EDT Sun Aug 27 2023

This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida

**TROPICAL STORM IDALIA MOVING TOWARDS FLORIDA, WATCHES NOW IN
EFFECT**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch have been issued for
      Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal
      Levy, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Pasco, Coastal Sarasota, Inland
      Citrus, and Pinellas
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch have been issued
      for Coastal Charlotte and Coastal Lee
    - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Inland Hernando, Inland
      Hillsborough, Inland Levy, Inland Manatee, Inland Pasco, Inland
      Sarasota, and Sumter
    - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for DeSoto, Hardee,
      Inland Charlotte, Inland Lee, and Polk

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 640 miles south-southwest of Cedar Key FL or about 540
      miles south-southwest of Mouth of Tampa Bay FL
    - 20.1N 85.5W
    - Storm Intensity 40 mph
    - Movement Northeast or 40 degrees at 3 mph

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

Idalia has formed in the Northwest Caribbean Sea. Idalia is expected
to move north and eventually northeast into the Gulf of Mexico, making
its way towards the Florida peninsula as a hurricane. Watches are in
now effect for West Central and Southwest Florida and adjacent coastal
waters.

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

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible devastating impacts
along the West Central and Southwest Florida coast. Potential impacts
in this area 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.

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts
across West Central and Southwest Florida. Potential impacts in this
area 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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across West Central and Southwest Florida. Potential impacts
include:
    - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter
      currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially
      in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and
      ditches overflow.
    - 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:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
West Central and Southwest Florida. 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 boats pulled
      from moorings.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
WATCH/WARNING PHASE - Listen to local officials for recommended
preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to
evacuate, do so immediately.

WATCH/WARNING PHASE - For those not under evacuation orders, assess
the risk from wind, falling trees, and flooding at your location. If
you decide to move, relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do
not relocate, help keep roadways open for those under evacuation
orders.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
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.

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as
near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor
drainage area, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to safe
shelter on higher ground.

Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that
are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of
others.

* 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 AM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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