[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS82 KKEY 041551
HLSKEY
FLZ076>078-042230-

Tropical Storm Elsa Local Statement Advisory Number 17
National Weather Service Key West FL  AL052021
1151 AM EDT Sun Jul 4 2021

This product covers the Florida Keys

**Tropical Storm Warning now in effect for the Lower and Middle Florida
 Keys**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Monroe Upper Keys
    - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
      Warning for Monroe Lower Keys and Monroe Middle Keys

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Monroe Upper Keys
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Monroe Lower Keys and
      Monroe Middle Keys

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 510 miles southeast of Key West FL or about 500 miles
      southeast of Marathon FL or about 500 miles south-southeast of
      Key Largo FL
    - 18.7N 76.8W
    - Storm Intensity 60 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 13 mph

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

At 1100 AM EDT, Tropical Storm Elsa was located in the Caribbean Sea
between the eastern tip of Cuba and Jamaica, with no significant
change of intensity during the past six hours. On the forecast track,
the center of Elsa will move across central and western Cuba tonight
and Monday, and emerge into the Straits of Florida Monday evening.
Confidence in the track forecast is high, while the intensity of Elsa
after it emerges from Cuba remains highly uncertain. Conditions will
deteriorate across the Florida Keys Monday afternoon and Monday night,
as Elsa moves north northwest into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico as
a tropical storm.

The risk for multiple hazards remains essentially unchanged for the
Florida Keys, including tropical storm force winds, coastal flooding,
heavy rainfall, isolated tornadoes, and treacherous marine conditions.
Tropical storm conditions are most likely to arrive late Monday
afternoon and continue through Tuesday morning, with conditions
gradually improving Tuesday night.

Coastal flooding 1 to 2 feet higher than our recent high tides, along
with overwash along south facing shorelines, will be possible. These
peak water levels can be considered a reasonable worst case scenario.

Heavy rainfall of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated maximum totals of
6 inches, may cause significant rainwater flooding, including areas
not impacted by coastal flooding. Heavy rainfall will be exacerbated
Tuesday morning during the times of high tide.

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

* WIND:
Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts
across the Lower and Middle Keys. Potential impacts in this area
include:
    - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
      to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
      experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile
      homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight
      objects become dangerous projectiles.
    - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
      numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several
      fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or
      heavily wooded places.
    - Scattered power and communications outages.

Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across the Upper Keys.

* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
across the Florida Keys. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
      immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
      farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
    - Sections of roads and parking lots inundated by surge water.
      Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers
      the road.
    - Moderate beach erosion.
    - Minor damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few
      small craft broken away from moorings.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited
impacts across the Florida Keys. Potential impacts include:
    - 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.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Monroe County Emergency Management advises residents and visitors who
are in campgrounds, recreational vehicles, travel trailers, live-aboard
vessels and mobile homes to either leave the Keys Sunday or relocate to
a safe structure for the duration of the storm.

No mandatory evacuation directives have been announced.

Visitors in conventional lodging facilities who are planning to leave
Monday are urged to depart as early as possible. Visitors who stay
should remain indoors until the storm clears the region.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

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

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.

* 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 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

CLR
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