Alert: Tropical Cyclone Statement issued September 10 at 6:27AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL

Event: Tropical Cyclone Statement
Sender Name: NWS Melbourne FL
Issued: 2017-09-10T06:28:07-04:00
Expires: 2017-09-10T13:00:00-04:00
Description: This product covers EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA

**TORRENTIAL RAIN WITH AND INCREASING WIND AND TORNADO THREAT
SPREADING NORTHWARD OVER EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA THIS MORNING**

NEW INFORMATION
—————

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
– None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
– A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
Coastal Volusia County, Indian River, Martin, Northern Brevard
County, Southern Brevard County, and St. Lucie
– A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Inland Volusia County,
Northern Lake County, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Seminole,
and Southern Lake County

* STORM INFORMATION:
– About 300 miles south of Orlando FL or about 250 miles
south-southwest of Vero Beach FL
– 24.1N 81.5W
– Storm Intensity 130 mph
– Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 8 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
——————

Dangerous and large Category 4 Hurricane Irma is moving northwest and
approaching the lower Florida Keys early this morning. The eye of Irma
will cross the Keys later this morning and then turn north-northwest
and move near and roughly parallel to the Florida Gulf Coast through
tonight as a major hurricane. Irma is forecast to remain a hurricane
as it moves toward north Florida and the panhandle on Monday afternoon.

As Irma continues to march northward, its very large and damaging
wind field will produce far-reaching effects well to the east of the
center. Hurricane force wind gusts in squalls will remain a significant
concern as they become more frequent and intense overnight and
throughout the day across all of east central Florida. Sustained winds
at or very near hurricane force, with higher gusts, are expected to
spread north along the Kissimmee River basin, and then into Lake County
through tonight.

The increased threat for tropical rain band tornadoes from Lake
Okeechobee and Tequesta through Osceola and Brevard Counties will
continue to expand northward across the greater Kissimmee-Saint Cloud,
Orlando, Sanford, Daytona and Leesburg areas today and tonight.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect for east central Florida from
Osceola and Brevard Counties southward until noon today. Watches are
very likely to be extended farther north by late morning.

The high potential for flooding rain associated with repeated squalls
will spread northward today, tonight. 2 to 4 inches of rain had fallen
across many locations along the east coastal counties, and south of
Orlando, with local amounts of 6 to as much as 11 inches over some
portions of the Treasure Coast. As Irma continues to move northward,
it produce an additional 6 to 10 inches of rain across the region,
with locally higher amounts of 15 to 20 inches, especially over
the Treasure Coast Counties of Indian River, Saint Lucie, and Martin.

This is likely to cause urban and lowland flooding ranging from
significant to locally extreme. Inundation of major highways, and both
secondary and residential roads is expected or will be aggravated where
it is already occurring.

Potentially life threatening seas and surf will continue today into
Monday as large wind and swell waves bring dangerously high seas and
surf and increasingly strong rip currents. Moderate to significant
beach erosion will continue, becoming progressively worse through
Monday, especially around the times of the next few high tide cycles.
The next high tides will occur along the east coast around 1130 AM
this morning, near midnight tonight, and 1230 PM Monday afternoon.

Do not venture onto beachfront areas! Small craft should remain in
port until winds and seas subside!

Additionally, localized wind driven water inundation remains a concern
across areas adjacent to larger inland lakes such as Lake Okeechobee,
Lake Kissimmee, and Lake George, as well as the Intracoastal Waterway.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
—————–

* WIND:
Impacts from the main wind event will be unfolding today! Remain well
sheltered from dangerous winds. Prepare for significant, widespread
damaging wind gusts across east central Florida. These impacts 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:
Impacts from the flooding rain will continue to spread north today!
Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having
extensive impacts. Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding
having possible extensive impacts across east central Florida. These
include:
– Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
– Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may
become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may
become stressed.
– Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts. These 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
locations seeing 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 small boats tossed about.
Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.

* SURGE:
Prepare for locally hazardous surge having impacts from Flagler Beach
to Jupiter Inlet. These 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 near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
surge water covers the road.
– 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,
piers, and other coastal structures. A few small craft broken

Instruction: * EVACUATIONS:
For those who have evacuated to safer shelter, do not return to any
evacuated areas until hazardous winds diminish and flood waters abate.

If sheltering in place, during the peak of the storm, keep sturdy
shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and tennis shoes offer the best
foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the elements.

Continue to keep your cell phone well charged for as long as
possible. If you lose power, use it more sparingly and mainly for
personal emergencies and check-ins.

If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to move to an
safe, interior room away from windows on the lowest floor of your
residence. Put as many sturdy walls between you and the storm as you
can. Protect your head and body.

If a Flood Warning is issued for your area, be ready to take
appropriate action to protect life and property. Avoid venturing near
streams, water retention areas, and other poorly drained low lying
areas. Don’t drive onto flooded roads.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Do not be a senseless thrill seeker or risk your life for photos or
videos!! Be wise and avoid becoming another statistic.

Closely monitor NOAA Weather Radio or other local news outlets for
official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the
forecast.

* 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

Link to more Info: http://www.weather.gov
Urgency: Expected
Severity: Moderate
Certainty: Likely
Categories: Met,
Area Description: Inland Volusia County; Indian River; Osceola; Seminole; St. Lucie; Coastal Volusia County; Southern Brevard County; Okeechobee; Northern Brevard County; Orange; Martin; Northern Lake County; Southern Lake County

Message Identifier: NWS-IDP-PROD-2517233
CAP MessageType: Alert
Added note: – Tornado warnngs