My prayers for all in the path of this hurricane. Especially swamprat and his family and friends and for all of you that have family and friends there. May God bless and protect them all.

 

National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL AL112017

1235 PM EDT Sun Sep 10 2017

 

This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida

 

**IRMA NOW MOVING TO THE NORTH-NORTHWEST**

 

NEW INFORMATION

---------------

 

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:

- None

 

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:

- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands,

Inland Charlotte, Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland

Hillsborough, Inland Levy, Inland Manatee, Inland Pasco, Inland

Sarasota, Polk, and Sumter

- A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for

Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal

Hillsborough, Coastal Lee, Coastal Levy, Coastal Manatee,

Coastal Pasco, Coastal Sarasota, Inland Lee, and Pinellas

 

* STORM INFORMATION:

- About 300 miles south-southeast of Cedar Key FL or about 190

miles south-southeast of Mouth of Tampa Bay FL or about 110

miles south of Fort Myers FL

- 25.0N 81.5W

- Storm Intensity 130 mph

- Movement North or 350 degrees at 9 mph

 

SITUATION OVERVIEW

------------------

 

Dangerous Hurricane Irma is moving slowly north-northwest away from the

Florida Keys and is forecast to approach the southwest Florida coast

as a major hurricane this afternoon. Although the amount of

intensification expected from Irma has been decreased with the latest

forecasts through Sunday morning...make no mistake that Irma is still a

dangerous hurricane... and is forecast to move near or over the west

coast of the Florida peninsula Sunday through early Monday morning with

the potential for significant and life threatening impacts from

wind...surge...and rain.

 

Winds will gust to tropical storm force as fast-moving squalls move

across southwest Florida early this afternoon. These squalls will

increase in frequency and intensity during today as the outer

rainbands of Irma spread north over the Florida peninsula. Given the

current forecast track, a period of damaging winds is expected across

ALL of west- central and southwest Florida between Sunday afternoon

and Monday morning.

 

Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 47

National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL AL112017

622 PM EDT Sun Sep 10 2017

 

This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida

 

**IRMA MAKES LANDFALL IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA**

 

NEW INFORMATION

---------------

 

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:

- None

 

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:

- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands,

Inland Charlotte, Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland

Hillsborough, Inland Levy, Inland Manatee, Inland Pasco, Inland

Sarasota, Polk, and Sumter

- A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for

Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal

Hillsborough, Coastal Lee, Coastal Levy, Coastal Manatee,

Coastal Pasco, Coastal Sarasota, Inland Lee, and Pinellas

 

* STORM INFORMATION:

- About 110 miles south-southeast of Mouth of Tampa Bay FL or

about 30 miles south of Fort Myers FL

- 26.2N 81.8W

- Storm Intensity 110 mph

- Movement North or 350 degrees at 14 mph

 

SITUATION OVERVIEW

------------------

 

Hurricane Irma has made landfall along the Collier County coast and is

now moving northward into southern Lee County. Hurricane force wind

gusts have been reported over portions of Lee county within the last

hour.

 

Along with the high wind threat, another concern will be the

potential for life-threatening storm surge inundation along and

near the Southwest Florida Gulf Coast as the storm exits.

The storm surge threat is not only limited to the immediate coast

but also extends further inland.

 

POTENTIAL IMPACTS

-----------------

 

* WIND:

Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across

all of west-central and southwest Florida. Remain well sheltered from

life-threatening wind having devastating impacts.

If realized, these impacts include:

- Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof

and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage

greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations

may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.

- Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and

roadway signs blown over.

- Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban

or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access

routes impassable.

- Widespread power and communications outages.

 

 

* SURGE:

Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across

areas of southwest FLorida. Remain well away from life-threatening

surge having extensive impacts. If realized, these impacts include:

- Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding

accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings,

with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating

debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period.

- Large sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads

washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and

barriers may become stressed.

- Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss.

- Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many

small craft broken away from moorings, especially in

unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded.

 

Potential impacts from the main surge event will soon be unfolding

across west-central Florida as the center of Hurricane Irma continues

to move north and the winds become onshore. Remain well away from

life-threatening surge having significant impacts.

 

 

* FLOODING RAIN:

Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across

all of west-central and southwest Florida.

Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having possible

devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts include:

- Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and

rescues.

- Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks

in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks,

canals, and ditches may become raging rivers. Flood control

systems and barriers may become stressed.

- Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple

communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed

away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape

routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water

with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very

dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened

or washed out.

 

* TORNADOES:

Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across all of

west-central and southwest Florida. Remain well braced against a

dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts. If

realized, these impacts 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 spots

of 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.

 

 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

----------------------------------

 

* EVACUATIONS:

 

Do not return to evacuated areas until hazardous winds diminish and

flood waters abate.

 

Do not return to evacuated areas until it is safe.

Listen for the all-clear signal from local authorities.

 

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Now is the time to remain safely sheltered from the storm. Stay

inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case

you lose electrical power. Locate your battery powered radio and

flashlight from your Emergency Supplies Kit. Keep these items close.

 

During the peak of the storm, keep your shoes on and rain gear handy.

Boots and tennis shoes offer the best foot protection if you become

unexpectedly exposed to the elements.

 

Do not venture outside while in the eye of a hurricane. Within the

eye, weather conditions may temporarily improve which can be

misleading. Once the eye passes, the wind will change direction and

return to dangerous speeds. Heavy rain will also return. Be smart and

remain safely hidden from the storm.

 

Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or

videos. Be wise and avoid becoming another statistic.

 

Be ready to move to the identified safe room if your home or shelter

begins to fail. Quickly move to an interior room on the lowest floor.

Put as many sturdy walls between you and the storm as you can.

Protect your head and body.

 

 

* 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