Tropical Cyclone Statement Issued
From
City of Lake Helen
Sent
Mon, Oct 7 @ 5:25pm
Description
Tropical Cyclone Statement issued October 7 at 5:21PM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
HLSMLB
This product covers East Central Florida
...MILTON REMAINS A CATEGORY FIVE HURRICANE IN THE GULF OF MEXICO...
...HURRICANE PREPARATIONS SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY TUESDAY NIGHT...
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- The Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning
for Northern Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Southern Lake
- A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Okeechobee
- A Hurricane Watch has been issued and a Storm Surge Watch has
been issued for Coastal Volusia, Northern Brevard Barrier
Islands, and Southern Brevard Barrier Islands
- A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Coastal Martin,
Coastal Saint Lucie, Inland Martin, and Inland Saint Lucie
- A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Coastal Indian River,
Inland Indian River, Inland Northern Brevard, Inland Southern
Brevard, Inland Volusia, Mainland Northern Brevard, and
Mainland Southern Brevard
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Northern Lake, Orange,
Osceola, Seminole, and Southern Lake
- A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
Okeechobee
- A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
Coastal Volusia, Northern Brevard Barrier Islands, and Southern
Brevard Barrier Islands
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Coastal Martin, Coastal
Saint Lucie, Inland Martin, and Inland Saint Lucie
- A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Coastal Indian River, Inland
Indian River, Inland Northern Brevard, Inland Southern Brevard,
Inland Volusia, Mainland Northern Brevard, and Mainland
Southern Brevard
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 750 miles southwest of Orlando FL
- 21.8N 90.8W
- Storm Intensity 180 mph
- Movement East or 90 degrees at 10 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Major Hurricane Milton was located across the southwest Gulf of
Mexico at 5 pm and was moving east at 10 mph. Milton has rapidly
strengthened with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph, making it an
extremely powerful category five 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. There will be
multiple hazards as Milton moves over East Central Florida.
A Hurricane Warning is now in effect for Greater Orlando and
surrounding areas, with a Hurricane Watch along the coast from Indian
River County northward. A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for
Okeechobee County, with a Tropical Storm Watch for St Lucie and Martin
Counties. Final storm preparations should be completed by the end of
the day on Tuesday.
Wind: Outer rainbands will arrive on Wednesday with the strongest
winds expected within 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 is possible near the
center of the storm. 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.
Heavy Rain: Ahead of Milton, deep moisture and onshore flow north of a
front across south Florida will maintain a risk of heavy rainfall
tonight 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. The
heaviest rainfall totals are likely to occur near and north of
Milton's track.
Most likely rainfall tallies this week are generally 4 to 8 inches,
and locally up to 10 to 12 inches, north of Kissimmee to Melbourne.
South of that line, the latest forecast calls 3 to 6 inches of rain.
These rainfall amounts, along with instances of higher rainfall rates,
will be capable of producing flooding in low-lying and urban areas.
Heavy rainfall may also cause rapid rises on area creeks and streams.
The St Johns River at Astor is forecast to rise quickly by Wednesday
night, flooding additional structures and roads. Turn around, don't
drown.
Tornadoes: 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. Residents and visitors should have multiple ways of receiving
severe weather alerts.
Beach and Coastal Hazards: Along the coast, there is the potential for
beach and dune erosion along with coastal storm surge. This threat
exists especially 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. Storm surge water rise may reach 2 to 4 feet above normally dry
ground in some areas along the immediate coastline 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.
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, Daytona Beach, 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 life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts
along the coasts of Volusia and Brevard counties. Potential impacts in
this area include:
- Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
- Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
spots.
- Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
numerous rip currents.
- Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
unprotected anchorages.
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 midnight 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.
