Advarsler, Lake Commiston

Tropical Cyclone Statement issued September 24 at 5:24PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL HLSTBW This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida **HURRICANE AND TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR OUR AREA** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning and the Storm Surge Watch has been upgraded to a Storm Surge Warning for Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Levy, and Coastal Pasco - The Storm Surge Watch has been upgraded to a Storm Surge Warning and a Tropical Storm Warning have been issued for Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Sarasota, and Pinellas - The Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning for Inland Levy - The Storm Surge Watch has been upgraded to a Storm Surge Warning and the Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Coastal Charlotte and Coastal Lee - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for DeSoto, Hardee, Inland Charlotte, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Lee, Inland Manatee, Inland Sarasota, Polk, and Sumter - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Highlands, Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, and Inland Pasco * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Levy, and Coastal Pasco - A Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Sarasota, and Pinellas - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Inland Levy - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Coastal Charlotte and Coastal Lee - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, and Inland Pasco - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Inland Charlotte, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Lee, Inland Manatee, Inland Sarasota, Polk, and Sumter * STORM INFORMATION: - About 660 miles south of Cedar Key FL or about 560 miles south-southwest of Mouth of Tampa Bay FL - 19.7N 84.7W - Storm Intensity 50 mph - Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 12 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Helene centered in the northwest Caribbean Sea is forecast to continue to organize and more northwest today before moving into the southern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday. Widespread impacts are expected across West-central and Southwest Florida beginning Wednesday night and Thursday. * Storm Surge - Life threatening storm surge of 10 to 15 feet from Chassahowitzka to Suwannee River. Storm surge of 6 to 10 feet from Anclote River to Chassahowitzka. Storm surge of 5 to 8 feet from Middle of Longboat Key to Anclote River. Storm surge of 4 to 7 feet from Englewood to Middle of Longboat Key. Storm surge of 3 to 5 feet from Bonita Beach to Englewood. * Rain - Flooding rain threat will run from Wednesday evening through Thursday evening with rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches with locally higher amounts up to 10 inches possible. * Wind - Hurricane and tropical storm force winds will be possible Wednesday night and Thursday with the highest probabilities along the coast. * Tornadoes - Tornadoes are possible Thursday, especially across the Nature Coast and Tampa Bay area. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible catastrophic impacts across Nature Coast and portions West-Central Florida. Potential impacts in this area include: - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded from considerable floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible. - Massive damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Numerous small craft broken away from moorings with many lifted onshore and stranded. Elsewhere across West Central and Southwest Florida, little to no impact is anticipated. * WIND: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts across Nature Coast and coastal portions of west-central and southwest Florida. Potential impacts in this area 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. Also, protect against dangerous wind having possible limited to significant impacts across west-central and southwest Florida.. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across Nature Coast. Potential impacts 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. Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across West-Central and Southwest Florida. * TORNADOES: Protect against 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 boats pulled from moorings. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible. Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather forecast before departing and drive with caution. Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making. It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter. Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed evacuation orders issued by the local authorities. Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown! 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, 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 information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay Ruskin FL around 12 AM, or sooner if conditions warrant.