Alert: Tropical Cyclone Statement issued October 17 at 5:41PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL

Event: Tropical Cyclone Statement
Sender Name: NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Issued: 2019-10-17T17:41:00-04:00
Expires: 2019-10-18T01:45:00-04:00
Description: This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida

**DISTURBANCE OVER THE SOUTHWESTERN GULF OF MEXICO NOW MOVING
NORTH-NORTHEASTWARD WITH GALE-FORCE WINDS**

NEW INFORMATION
—————

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
– The Storm Surge Watch has been upgraded to a Storm Surge
Warning for Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Levy,
Coastal Pasco, and Pinellas

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
– A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Watch are in effect
for Coastal Levy
– A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Coastal Citrus, Coastal
Hernando, Coastal Pasco, and Pinellas

* STORM INFORMATION:
– About 870 miles west-southwest of Cedar Key FL or about 840
miles west-southwest of Mouth of Tampa Bay FL
– 22.9N 95.2W
– Storm Intensity 40 mph
– Movement North-northeast or 20 degrees at 9 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
——————

Potential Tropical Cyclone 16 is situated over the southwest Gulf of
Mexico and is expected to move northeast and approach the Florida
panhandle Friday evening. Primary concerns along the Florida west coast
will be for heavy rainfall and minor coastal flooding.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
—————–

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts
across the Nature Coast through just north of the Tampa Bay. Potential
impacts in this area include:
– Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
– Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
spots.
– Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
numerous rip currents.
– Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
unprotected anchorages.

Elsewhere across West Central and Southwest Florida, little to no
impact is anticipated.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited
impacts across the Nature Coast. Potential impacts include:
– Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations.
– Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents.
Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen
and overflow in spots.
– Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually
vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water
occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become
near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge
closures.

Elsewhere across West Central and Southwest Florida, little to no
impact is anticipated.

* 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 small boats
pulled from moorings.

* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
northern Levy County. 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.

Elsewhere across West Central and Southwest Florida, little to no
impact is anticipated.
Instruction: * 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.

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, plan to move to safe shelter.

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.

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. 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
Link to more Info: http://www.weather.gov
Urgency: Expected
Severity: Moderate
Certainty: Likely
Categories: Met,
Area Description: Coastal Sarasota; Coastal Manatee; Inland Levy; Coastal Pasco; Highlands; Coastal Hillsborough; Coastal Charlotte; Inland Hernando; Inland Pasco; Inland Manatee; Pinellas; Inland Charlotte; Inland Hillsborough; Coastal Levy; Inland Lee; Polk; Hardee; Inland Sarasota; Coastal Citrus; Inland Citrus; Sumter; DeSoto; Coastal Lee; Coastal Hernando

Message Identifier: NWS-IDP-PROD-3872225
CAP MessageType: Alert
Added note: – Tornado warnngs