[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS82 KMLB 080949
HLSMLB
FLZ041-044>047-053-054-058-059-064-141-144-147-081800-

Tropical Storm Eta Local Statement Advisory Number 32
National Weather Service Melbourne FL  AL292020
449 AM EST Sun Nov 8 2020

This product covers East Central Florida

**Tropical Storm Eta About to Move Across Cuba and Will Reach the
Florida Straits Later This Morning**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Indian River, Martin,
      Brevard, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie Counties

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 400 miles south of Stuart FL or about 480 miles south of
      Cape Canaveral FL
    - 21.5N 79.3W
    - Storm Intensity 65 mph
    - Movement Northeast or 35 degrees at 12 mph


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

Tropical Storm Eta, approaching the south coast of central Cuba early
this morning, will move northeast across the island and into the
Florida Straits later this morning. Eta will then turn north and
northwest by tonight, moving through the Florida Straits and across the
Keys through Monday. Eta will eventually move into the southeast Gulf
of Mexico, where it will slow down significantly through mid week.

As Eta continues to move toward its closest approach to east central
Florida, its wind field will expand northward, allowing strong winds
to impact much of east central Florida today through late Monday. The
strongest sustained winds, Near tropical Storm force, will develop
along the Space and Treasure Coasts, with windy conditions spreading
across the interior later today into tonight. A Tropical Storm Warning
continues for Brevard, Indian River, Saint Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee
Counties as well as the central Florida Atlantic waters from Brevard
County southward into south Florida.

The expanding wind field will also bring increasing winds to the
Volusia County coast, with sustained winds of 20 to 25 mph and gusts
to 40 or 50 mph possible, mainly in squalls. Windy conditions will
spread into the interior counties, reaching speeds of around 20 mph
with gusts of 40 mph, again, mainly in squalls.

Wind gusts as high as 50 to 60 mph will be possible tonight and Monday
as more frequent and intense showers and squalls stream onshore from
the Atlantic. The strongest gusts are expected mainly from Brevard
County southward, with gusts of 45 to 50 mph possible farther inland in
these fast moving squalls.

As the coverage and intensity of showers and squalls increases, heavy
rainfall from these persistent outer rain bands from Eta expected to
affect the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee counties, where daily totals
totals of 2 to 3 inches are expected both today and Monday with total
rainfall amounts of 4 to 7 inches. Locally higher amounts of up to 10
inches remain possible along the Martin and Saint Lucie coasts. A
Flood Watch continues for Okeechobee, Indian River, Saint Lucie and
Martin counties. The expected heavy rainfall will cause localized
flooding, especially in poor drainage areas and areas with ongoing
saturated soils.

Conditions will become extremely hazardous over the Atlantic waters
today through Monday, with seas building to around 20 feet or a little
higher offshore. Extremely rough, pounding surf will develop along the
coast, with large breaking waves of 8 to 12 feet and numerous strong
rip currents resulting in life-threatening conditions in the surf
zone. Moderate beach erosion and minor coastal flooding is also
expected tonight through Monday near the times of high tide, the next
of which will occur this afternoon between 100 and 200 PM, and again
early Monday morning between 130 and 200 AM.

Do not enter the ocean!!!

A few tornadoes will be possible in squalls which will move quickly
onshore and across the Treasure Coast and Lake Okeechobee regions late
tonight through Monday.


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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across The Treasure Coast and Lake Okeechobee
regions. 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.


* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
the Space Coast, Treasure Coast, and Lake Okeechobee regions. Potential
impacts in this area include:

    - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
      mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
    - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
      uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
      shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
      bridges and other elevated roadways.
    - Scattered power and communications outages.


* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
the Treasure Coast, and Lake Okeechobee regions. 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.

Elsewhere across East Central Florida, little to no impact is
anticipated.


* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
across the Space and Treasure Coast regions. Potential impacts in this
area include:

    - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
      in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
    - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
      and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.


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

* EVACUATIONS:
Evacuations are not expected.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can
be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide
poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly
ventilated area.

If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in
which you are staying and the name of the county in which it resides.
Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for
instructions from local authorities.

Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!

If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter
quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not
prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter
options.

If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large
trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or
on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of
the strongest winds or flooding.

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. Be ready to shelter quickly.

* 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 Melbourne FL around 11 AM EST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
This weather bulletin was brought to you by:
www.nashvilleweather.net