Tropical Cyclone Statement Issued
From
City of Lake Helen
Sent
Mon, Oct 7 @ 11:15am
Description
Tropical Cyclone Statement issued October 7 at 11:12AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
HLSMLB
This product covers East Central Florida
...MILTON STRENGTHENS TO POWERFUL CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE...
...HURRICANE PREPARATIONS IN EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA
SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY TUESDAY NIGHT...
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Northern Lake,
Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Southern Lake
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Northern Lake, Okeechobee,
Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Southern Lake
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 800 miles west-southwest of Orlando FL
- 21.7N 91.7W
- Storm Intensity 155 mph
- Movement East-southeast or 110 degrees at 9 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Major Hurricane Milton was located across the southwest Gulf of
Mexico at 11 am and was moving east-southeast at 9 mph. Milton has
rapidly strengthened with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, making
it a powerful category four hurricane.
Milton will move to the east, north of the Yucatan peninsula,
through tonight and then turn northeast Tuesday and Tuesday night
across the southeast Gulf of Mexico and strengthen to a major
hurricane. Milton is currently forecast to make landfall along the
Florida west coast late Wednesday afternoon or evening and cross
central Florida Wednesday night and move into the Atlantic on
Thursday.
Ahead of Milton, deep moisture and onshore flow north of a frontal
boundary across south Florida will maintain a risk of heavy rainfall
today and Tuesday, with the highest risk for flooding along the
coast. Rainfall will increase in coverage and intensity Wednesday
and Wednesday night directly associated with Hurricane Milton's rain
bands. Most likely rainfall tallies this week are generally 4 to 8
inches and locally up to 10 to 12 inches. The heaviest rainfall
totals are likely to occur near and north of Milton's track.
These rainfall amounts, along with instances of higher rainfall
rates, will be capable of producing flooding in low-lying and urban
areas. Flooding of roadways may also lead to hazardous driving
conditions. Heavy rainfall may also cause rapid rises on area creeks
and streams. The St Johns River at Astor is forecast rise quickly by
Wednesday night, flooding additional structures and roads.
Winds with Milton will increase and become windy in outer rainbands
on Wednesday with the strongest winds expected with the core of the
hurricane as it tracks across central Florida Wednesday night. Winds
will strengthen to tropical storm force with gusts to hurricane
force along Milton's path. A narrow swath of sustained hurricane
force winds are possible. The winds will knock down trees and power
lines, causing power outages in some areas. All east central Florida
residents and visitors should be in a safe shelter before conditions
become hazardous. A Hurricane Watch is now in effect for all inland
east central Florida counties. This includes Greater Orlando.
Additional hurricane and/or tropical storm watches are expected to
be issued along the coast later today or tonight.
In addition to strong to damaging wind gusts, a few tornadoes
embedded in rain bands are possible, mainly on Wednesday afternoon
and Wednesday night as Milton approaches east central Florida.
Along the coast, there is the potential for beach and dune erosion
and coastal storm surge mainly near and north of where Milton
tracks. Strong northerly winds are also expected on Thursday as
Milton moves offshore into the Atlantic waters, elevating water
levels along the Atlantic coast. Surge values may reach 1 to 3 feet,
locally 4 feet, in some areas along the immediate beaches north of
Sebastian Inlet, including the Volusia County beaches with dune
erosion likely.
Now is the time to ensure your hurricane supply kit is stocked and
your safety plan is in place. Heed the advice of local officials
with recommended evacuation and or sheltering actions for those in
flood prone locations, in mobile homes or on the barrier islands.
All preparations for Milton should be completed by the end of the
day on Tuesday.
Continue to monitor the latest forecasts from the National Hurricane
Center and National Weather Service in Melbourne, Florida.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts
across northern portions of East Central Florida, including Greater
Orlando and surrounding areas. 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, prepare for dangerous wind having possible significant impacts
across southern portions of East Central Florida, including the Treasure Coast.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across much of East Central Florida. 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. In mountain areas, destructive runoff
may run quickly down valleys while increasing susceptibility to
rockslides and mudslides. 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.
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across far southern portions of East Central Florida.
* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
East Central 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 small boats
pulled from moorings.
* SURGE:
Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
along the coastline of Volusia and Brevard Counties. Potential impacts
in this area include:
- Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
- Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
surge water covers the road.
- Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
- Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your
home or business.
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, plan to move to safe shelter.
If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as
near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor
drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to
move to safe shelter on higher ground.
If you are a visitor, know the name of the county or in which
you are located and where it is relative to current watches and
warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their
onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially
pertaining to area visitors.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news
outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes
to the forecast.
* 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.
