Advarsler, Spy Key

Tropical Cyclone Statement issued September 25 at 11:44AM EDT by NWS Key West FL HLSKEY This product covers the Florida Keys **Tropical Storm Warning in Effect for all of the Florida Keys** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Monroe Lower Keys, Monroe Middle Keys, and Monroe Upper Keys * STORM INFORMATION: - About 350 miles southwest of Key West FL - 21.6N 86.3W - Storm Intensity 80 mph - Movement North-northwest or 330 degrees at 10 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ As of 11 AM EDT, newly upgraded Hurricane Helene was centered about 350 miles southwest of Key West, and is moving to the north-northwest near 10 mph. This motion should continue through the early afternoon, followed by a general turn to the north by late afternoon, and then a turn to the north-northeast for tonight and Thursday. On the forecast track, the center of Helene will pass near the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the next couple of hours, move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico this evening through much of Thursday, and then make landfall along the Big Bend coast of Florida late Thursday. Rapid intensification is forecast over the next twenty-four hours, and Helene is expected to become a major hurricane on Thursday. Helene will continue to have an unusually large wind field as it moves northward through the eastern Gulf, with tropical storm force winds extending out up to 300 miles east of the center. Expect squalls to become increasingly frequent and strong across the Florida Keys this afternoon and tonight, continuing through Thursday or Thursday night. The strongest winds are forecast to occur this evening through midday Thursday, when damaging wind gusts of 55 to 65 mph in squalls will be possible, along with an isolated tornado or two. Sustained tropical storm force winds around 40 mph may arrive in the Lower Keys as early as this afternoon, but are most likely to arrive throughout the Florida Keys island chain tonight. These winds are expected to continue throughout the day on Thursday. Storm surge flooding of 1 to 3 feet above ground level at the lowest elevation areas and shoreline is expected throughout the Florida Keys from tonight through Thursday evening, and a Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect. Coastal flooding is expected to peak near the times of high tide occurring early Thursday morning, then again Thursday evening. Flooding may extend over streets and low elevation properties a few blocks from the shoreline. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches, with locally higher amounts, are expected through Friday evening, with the potential for some rainwater flooding of low lying spots. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across the Florida Keys. Potential impacts 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 heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. * SURGE: Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across the Florida Keys. Potential impacts in this area include: - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots. - Sections of roads and parking lots inundated by surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. - Moderate beach erosion. - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across the Florida Keys. Potential impacts include: - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. - 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. * TORNADOES: Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across the Florida Keys. 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, 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. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * 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. 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, or on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding. If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as in a low-lying or poor drainage area, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground. 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 Monroe County Emergency Management Information, see monroecountyem.com - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org - For Florida Division of Emergency Management information, see floridadisaster.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Key West FL around 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.