September 8, 20179 yr Author From the National Hurricane Center At 200 PM EDT, the distinct eye of Hurricane Irma was located by a reconnaissance plane and Cuban radars near latitude 22.0 North, longitude 76.0 West. Irma has been moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h), but the hurricane should resume a west-northwest motion later today. A turn toward the northwest is expected by late Saturday. On the forecast track, the eye of Irma should continue to move near the north coast of Cuba and the central Bahamas for the rest of today and Saturday, and be near the Florida Keys and the southern Florida Peninsula Sunday morning. Maximum sustained winds are near 155 mph with higher gusts. Irma is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely to continue during the next day or two, and Irma is expected to remain a powerful category 4 hurricane as it approaches Florida. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles.
September 8, 20179 yr Author I'll be back soon. Worked till 4 am this morning then drove to Bowling Green to attend Grandparents Day at Bristow Elementary. I'm tired and getting ready to get some rest.
September 8, 20179 yr Weather channel is predicting some crazy scary storm surge totals on both sides of FL along the coasts. Just forecasted 6-12' from Naples to Miami along the gulf coast. Mandatory evacuations for Marco Island and Tampa Zone A ( ??? ). FL DOT just opened up the shoulders for travel on I75 from the FL turnpike to GA. Predicting eye of storm in the Orlando metro by Sunday morning with CAT 2 winds. Level A is from 0 to 11 ft above sea level near the coast of Tampa Bay and all mobile homes. Pinellas is also under a Level A evac. My place of work is closing early and will be closed through, at least Monday. However, I will be back here late tomorrow afternoon to shutdown the servers, get the UPS units higher off the floor, and cover the equipment in case of roof failure.
September 8, 20179 yr Author 5 pm CDT Update: WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: The Hurricane Warning has been extended northward for east coast of Florida to Sebastian Inlet, and along the west coast of the peninsula northward to Anna Maria Island. The Hurricane Watch has been extended northward along the west coast of Florida to Suwannee River. A Storm Surge Watch has been issued north of Venice to the Anclote River, including Tampa Bay, and from Ponce Inlet to the Flagler/ Volusia County Line. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for... * Sebastian Inlet southward around the Florida peninsula to Venice * Florida Keys A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for... * North of Sebastian Inlet to the Flagler/Volusia County line * North of Venice to Anclote River * Tampa Bay A Hurricane Warning is in effect for... * Sebastian Inlet southward around the Florida peninsula to Anna Maria Island * Florida Keys * Lake Okeechobee * Florida Bay * Southeastern Bahamas * Cuban provinces of Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, and Villa Clara * Central Bahamas * Northwestern Bahamas A Hurricane Watch is in effect for... * North of Sebastian Inlet to the Flagler/Volusia County Line * North of Anna Maria Island to the Suwannee River * Cuban provinces of Guantanamo, Holguin, Las Tunas and Matanzas A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Cuban provinces of Guantanamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, during the next 36 hours in the indicated locations. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov. This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials. A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life- threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov. A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.
September 8, 20179 yr Author Thoughts are now that Hurricane Irma may strengthen to a category 5 Hurricane before it makes landfall in Florida.
September 8, 20179 yr Author I'm not liking the westward trend. Especially for the east coast of Florida. Reason being if Irma keeps on the present track the most dangerous part of the storm will pass right over it. Of course, it will be devasting over any part of Florida it passes over. Edited September 8, 20179 yr by nWo
September 9, 20179 yr I'm not liking the westward trend. Especially for the east coast of Florida. Reason being if Irma keeps on the present track the most dangerous part of the storm will pass right over it. Of course, it will be devasting over any part of Florida it passes over. I sure hope this doesn't happen.
September 9, 20179 yr I have family in the Tampa/Riverview area and I'm praying for their safety. I honestly can't believe this is playing out the way it is. Heartbreaking.
September 9, 20179 yr Author Saturday Morning 9/9/17 Update: At 500 AM EDT, the center of Hurricane Irma was located near latitude 22.5 North, longitude 78.8 West. Irma is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph. A turn toward the northwest is expected by late today, with a turn toward the north-northwest expected tonight or on Sunday. On the forecast track, the center of Irma will move near the north coast of Cuba today, near the Florida Keys Sunday morning, and then near the southwest coast of Florida Sunday afternoon. Maximum sustained winds are near 155 mph with higher gusts. Irma is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next day or two, but Irma is expected to remain a powerful hurricane as it approaches Florida. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles.
September 9, 20179 yr I just watched a local Florida news report that said the latest projection has shifted about 40 miles to the west. Looks like Tampa could take a direct hit @swamprat Nailed it.
September 9, 20179 yr Author Here's the latest GFS model track of Irma. It is showing Irma as a category 4 hurricane at land fall in southwest Florida with sustained wind of around 134 mph. Here is the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
September 9, 20179 yr Author Comparison of Andrew and Irma from CNN.com How does Hurricane Irma compare to Andrew? - CNN Video
September 9, 20179 yr Winds down to 130 and Cat 4 with the latest advisory. Most think it will strengthen again before it hits Florida.
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