Tropical Cyclone Statement Issued

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Tue, Sep 24 @ 5:35pm

Description
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.

This notification was posted by Yankeetown. Yankeetown is solely responsible for this notification and unless specifically indicated, no other community or individual utilizing Savvy Citizen is sponsoring, responsible for, or endorsing this notification.

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