Tropical Cyclone Statement Issued
From
City of Lake Helen
Sent
Wed, Sep 25 @ 5:25pm
Description
Tropical Cyclone Statement issued September 25 at 5:17PM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
HLSMLB
This product covers East Central Florida
**OUTER RAINBANDS ARRIVING FROM HELENE**
**PREPARATIONS SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION PRIOR TO SUNSET**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Coastal Indian River,
Coastal Martin, Coastal Saint Lucie, Coastal Volusia, Inland
Indian River, Inland Martin, Inland Northern Brevard, Inland
Saint Lucie, Inland Southern Brevard, Inland Volusia, Mainland
Northern Brevard, Mainland Southern Brevard, Northern Brevard
Barrier Islands, Northern Lake, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola,
Seminole, Southern Brevard Barrier Islands, and Southern Lake
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 520 miles southwest of Leesburg FL
- 22.5N 86.6W
- Storm Intensity 85 mph
- Movement North or 355 degrees at 12 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Hurricane Helene is located about 460 miles southwest of Tampa as of 5 PM,
emerging shortly into the Gulf of Mexico. Helene is forecast to strengthen
into a Major Hurricane while moving north and northeast across the Gulf of
Mexico tonight and tomorrow. Landfall is forecast along the FL Big
Bend to the eastern Panhandle Thursday evening as a strong Category
3 or Category 4 storm.
Tropical storm force winds are likely to encompass a large area to the
east of Helene's center, which includes the entire Florida Peninsula.
Tropical Storm Warnings remain in effect for all of east central
Florida, as well as the adjacent Atlantic waters. Frequent tropical
storm force gusts will be possible across the area Thursday into
Thursday evening. The potential for gusts up to 60-65 mph will exist,
particularly northwest of I-4, along the Atlantic coast and in
vicinity of Lake Okeechobee.
In addition to strong wind gusts, a few to several tornadoes embedded
in rain bands are possible beginning late tonight and lasting through
Thursday afternoon. Outer rain bands have begun to impact the local
area late this afternoon, and will increase in frequency over the next
24 hours as the system makes its closest approach to east central
Florida early tomorrow afternoon.
Locally higher rainfall totals will result from rain bands repeatedly
moving over the same locations. Generally, 1 to 4 inches of total
rainfall is forecast area-wide, with locally higher amounts of up to
6 inches possible through late Thursday. These rainfall amounts will
be capable of producing flooding in low-lying and urban areas,
especially in areas which have already received heavy rainfall this
month.
Along the coast, increasing, battering surf from late tonight through
Thursday night will cause dangerous beach conditions. Run-up to the
dune line and sea walls will result in beach erosion. Impacts will be
greatest during the Thursday afternoon high tide, occurring between
3 PM and 5 PM. Marine conditions will become dangerous and small craft
operators should remain in port. A High Surf Advisory wil be effective
beginning at 10 PM tonight.
Preparation efforts should be rushed to completion by sunset this
evening. Do not let your guard down. This will be a very large storm
and impacts will be experienced far from the center of the storm. Make
sure your hurricane kit is fully stocked and safety plan in place. As
conditions deteriorate tonight and tomorrow morning, be sure to have
multiple ways to receive weather alerts that will wake you up. Any
eastward shifts in the forecast track would increase the potential for
additional impacts locally, so continue to monitor the latest
forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and National Weather
Service in Melbourne, Florida.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
East Central Florida. 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 urban
or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
bridges and other elevated roadways.
- Scattered power and communications outages.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across east central Florida. Potential
impacts include:
- Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and
rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter
currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially
in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and
ditches overflow.
- Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations.
Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid
inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as
storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions
become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across most of east central Florida. Potential 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.
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across the Treasure Coast and vicinity of Lake Okeechobee.
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 a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in
which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which
it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay
attention for instructions from 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 a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter
quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not
prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter
options.
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 Melbourne FL around 12 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.
This notification was posted by City of Lake Helen. City of Lake Helen 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.
