Tropical Cyclone Statement Issued
From
City of Lake Helen
Sent
Thu, Sep 26 @ 5:50am
Description
Tropical Cyclone Statement issued September 26 at 5:48AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
HLSMLB
This product covers East Central Florida
**HURRICANE HELENE WILL CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN AS IT LIFTS NORTHWARD
WITH CONDITIONS DETERIORATING ACROSS THE AREA TODAY**
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 410 miles southwest of Leesburg FL
- 24.2N 86.2W
- Storm Intensity 90 mph
- Movement North-northeast or 15 degrees at 12 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Hurricane Helene is located around 350 miles southwest of Tampa,
across the southeast Gulf of Mexico as of 5 AM. Helene will continue
to strengthen while moving north and northeast across the Gulf of
Mexico today and is forecast to make landfall as a major hurricane
along the Florida Big Bend coast this evening.
Tropical storm force winds are forecast 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 today into
this evening. The potential for gusts up to 60 to 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 through this afternoon. Outer rain bands
have begun to impact the local area, and will increase in frequency
over the next 12 hours as the system makes its closest approach to
east central Florida early this afternoon.
Locally higher rainfall totals will result from rain bands repeatedly
moving over the same locations. Generally, 1 to 3 inches of total
rainfall is forecast area-wide, with locally higher amounts possible
through tonight. 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. A Flood Watch is in effect
across all of east central Florida through early morning Friday.
Along the coast, increasing, battering surf today through tonight will
cause dangerous beach conditions, including numerous life-threatening
rip currents and a powerful longshore current. A High Surf Advisory is
in effect at area beaches and will continue through 11 AM Friday. Wave
run-up to the dune line and sea walls will result in beach erosion,
especially during this afternoon's high tide, occurring between 3 PM
and 5 PM. Marine conditions will become dangerous and small craft
operators should remain in port. Visitors and residents should stay
off the beaches and out of the surf through tonight!
Preparation efforts should now be completed as conditions will
continue to worsen through the day. 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 today, be sure to
have multiple ways to receive weather alerts. 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 across 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.
* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
Increasing winds and battering surf today through tonight will produce
wave run-up to the dune line and sea walls, resulting in minor beach
erosion. This will also lead to numerous life-threatening rip currents
and a powerful longshore current at area beaches. A High Surf Advisory
is in effect today through Friday morning for these hazardous surf
conditions. Visitors and residents should stay off the beaches and out
of the surf today into tonight!
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 PM 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.
