[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement
EMWIN Server
emwin at nashvilleweather.net
Sat Nov 7 16:24:01 CST 2020
WTUS82 KKEY 072223
HLSKEY
FLZ076>078-080700-
Tropical Storm Eta Local Statement Advisory Number 30
National Weather Service Key West FL AL292020
523 PM EST Sat Nov 7 2020
This product covers the Florida Keys
**STRONG TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXPECTED ACROSS THE FLORIDA KEYS**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch have been issued for the
Lower, Middle, and Upper Florida Keys
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning, Storm Surge Watch, and Hurricane Watch
are in effect for the Lower, Middle, and Upper Florida Keys
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 290 miles south-southeast of Key West FL or about 320
miles south of Key Largo FL
- 20.4N 80.7W
- Storm Intensity 60 mph
- Movement Northeast or 50 degrees at 16 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
At 400 PM EST, the center of Tropical Depression Eta was located about
85 miles north-northeast of Grand Cayman. Eta is forecast to continue
to the northeast towards central Cuba tonight, then turn to the north-
northwest into the Straits of Florida Sunday morning, and approach the
Florida Keys or south Florida Sunday evening.
The risk for multiple hazards continues to increase for the Florida
Keys, including a long period of tropical storm force winds, storm
surge, heavy rainfall, and isolated tornadoes.
Eta is expected to have a large area of strong winds and squally
weather extending well outside the center of circulation. Continue to
closely monitor later forecasts and do not focus on the center of the
forecast track.
Tropical storm conditions are most likely to arrive Sunday evening,
then continue through Monday evening, with conditions gradually
improving on Tuesday. The roughest possible weather will be on Monday
with sustained winds 40 to 50 mph and gusts to 70 mph. Preparations
for Eta should be completed by midday Sunday at the latest.
Strong winds will contribute to storm surge 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. The shallow sounds to the
east and west of the 18-mile stretch, including Barnes, Buttonwood, and
Card Sounds, and also the extreme Gulf side of the Lower Keys, could
potentially experience storm surge inundation as high as three to four
feet.
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 approaches and moves
through the Keys from Sunday night through Monday night.
According to Monroe County Emergency Management, mandatory evacuations
have been ordered for campgrounds and R/V parks, with all visitors in
those venues to depart by no later than 900 AM Sunday. Evacuations
have been ordered for trailer parks, boat liveaboards and people
residing in low-elevation areas. In-county storm shelters will open on
Sunday at high schools, including Key West, Marathon, and Coral Shore.
Additional sheltering information will follow later this evening.
Shelter staff will be doing health screenings and COVID-19 protective
measures will be in place. All state parks in the Florida Keys will be
closed at sunset, and are to remain closed through Monday. FDOT will
lock down the Snake Creek Drawbridge by this evening, and will remain
closed for the duration of severe weather. Key West International
Airport will remain operational through Sunday. Monroe County schools
are to be closed Monday.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Protect against dangerous wind having possible extensive 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 dangerous storm surge having possible significant
impacts across the Florida Keys. Potential impacts in this area
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.
- Major beach erosion.
- Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Several
small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected
anchorages.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across the Florida Keys. Potential impacts include:
- Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt 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:
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, 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:
There are no plans for general mandatory resident or visitor
evacuations for the Keys. Visitors who choose to stay during the storm
should remain indoors and be aware that normal visitor activities
likely will be 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 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 1030 PM EST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.
$$
CLR
This weather bulletin was brought to you by:
www.nashvilleweather.net
More information about the Tropical
mailing list