Tropical Cyclone Statement Issued
From
City of Lake Helen
Sent
Thu, Sep 26 @ 11:20am
Description
Tropical Cyclone Statement issued September 26 at 11:14AM 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 INTO THIS AFTERNOON**
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 320 miles southwest of Leesburg FL
- 25.5N 85.5W
- Storm Intensity 105 mph
- Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 14 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Hurricane Helene is located around 250 miles southwest of Tampa,
across the southeast Gulf of Mexico as of 11 AM. Helene will
continue to strengthen while moving north-northeast across the
Gulf of Mexico today and is forecast to make landfall as a major
hurricane along the Florida Big Bend coast late this evening.
Tropical storm force winds encompass a large area to the east of
Helene's center, which is forecast to include 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 into
this evening. The potential for gusts up to 60 to 65 mph will exist,
particularly in stronger rainbands, 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 few 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 2 inches
of total rainfall is forecast area-wide, with locally higher amounts
possible through tonight. Higher 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, battering surf through tonight will cause
dangerous beach conditions. 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 are dangerous and small craft operators should
remain in port. Visitors and residents should stay off the beaches
and out of the surf through tonight. Additionally, numerous life-
threatening rip currents and a powerful longshore current will
exist. A High Surf Advisory is in effect at area beaches and will
continue through 11 AM Friday.
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, 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.
* 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.
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across east
central Florida. A Tornado Watch is in effect through 8PM EDT.
* 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.
* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
Increasing winds and battering surf 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 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 stay inside and away from windows. Listen for
updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a
battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.
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.
Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos.
If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the
safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body. 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 6 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.
