Tropical Cyclone Statement Issued
From
City of Lake Helen
Sent
Wed, Oct 9 @ 11:55am
Description
Tropical Cyclone Statement issued October 9 at 11:40AM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL
HLSMLB
This product covers East Central Florida
**A RARE AND HISTORIC EVENT UNFOLDING ACROSS PARTS OF EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA**
**MILTON IS FORECAST TO BRING DEVASTATING AND LIFE-THREATENING IMPACTS
FROM HURRICANE WINDS AND HIGH TO EXTREME FLOODING RAINFALL**
**TORNADO RISK INCREASING TODAY ACROSS EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
Coastal Volusia, Northern Brevard Barrier Islands, and Southern
Brevard Barrier Islands
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Coastal Indian River,
Coastal Saint Lucie, Inland Indian River, Inland Northern
Brevard, Inland Saint Lucie, Inland Southern Brevard, Inland
Volusia, Mainland Northern Brevard, Mainland Southern Brevard,
Northern Lake, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and
Southern Lake
- A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
Coastal Martin and Inland Martin
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 290 miles southwest of Cape Canaveral FL
- 25.8N 84.3W
- Storm Intensity 145 mph
- Movement Northeast or 35 degrees at 17 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
As of 11 AM, Major Hurricane Milton was located in the southeastern
Gulf of Mexico about 190 miles southwest of Tampa, or about 275 miles
southwest of Melbourne, Florida. Milton remains a dangerous and
powerful hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, and was
moving northeast at 17 mph directly toward central Florida.
Milton is forecast to make landfall as a major hurricane along the
west central Florida coast around midnight, and then push inland to
cross through east central Florida while maintaining hurricane
strength. It will then exit offshore on Thursday. Milton will bring
the threat of damaging hurricane winds and gusts, as well as
significant flood and flash flood waters. The threat to life is high!
This is particularly true in vicinity of the Interstate 4 corridor,
and along and to the north of Milton's track.
People and interests within east central Florida are strongly advised
to rush to completion all preparations for a potentially rare and
historic event with life-threatening ramifications. Final
preparations should be committed to protecting life! Do not trust in
luck!
If you are vulnerable to high winds and flood waters, the time to move
to safe shelter is now! Time is growing short, and conditions will
continue to steadily deteriorate today! Conditions will then become
more dangerous tonight and Thursday as the local impact phase gets
more fully underway. People should not go through this storm alone,
nor should they risk their life or the lives of others.
Hurricane Warnings remain in effect for all of east central Florida,
except Martin county, where a Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm
Warning are in effect. Actions should be taken to protect against
damaging hurricane winds and gusts. Large areas will likely experience
significant power outages and communications failures.
A Flood Watch is in effect for all east central Florida counties.
Rainfall between 6 to 12 inches is forecast, with a swath of 12 to
15 inches possible in vicinity of the I-4 corridor. Localized peak
amounts of 18 inches are also possible. Water rescues may be needed in
the hardest hit locations. Farther south, the forecast calls for 4 to
6 inches of rain.
Flooding rainfall will also cause rapid rises on area creeks and
streams. The Saint Johns River at Astor is forecast to rise quickly to
Major Flood Stage by Thursday morning with a historical crest near
Record Flood. Additional locations upstream on the Saint Johns are
also likely to experience rises to at least Minor or Moderate flood
stage through Saturday, and possibly reaching major flood levels at
DeLand and Geneva by Sunday.
A Tornado Watch is also in effect for parts of the area including
Martin, Saint Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee, and Osceola counties.
The Tornado Watch will likely be expanded northward later today.
Listen for any Tornado Warnings while hurricane protective actions are
being finalized. A few tornadoes could be strong producing significant
damage!
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for all Brevard Barrier Islands and
Coastal Volusia County where coastal flood waters of 3 to 5 feet are
possible. Significant beach and dune erosion is likely. Heights up to
3 feet will be possible along the Treasure Coast.
Always heed the advice of local officials!
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts along and south of the I-4 corridor, to Okeechobee and Saint
Lucie counties. 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, protect against dangerous wind having possible significant
impacts across the remainder of east-central Florida.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
devastating impacts across areas north of a Kissimmee to Titusville
line. Potential impacts include:
- Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and
rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks
in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks,
canals, and ditches may become raging rivers. In mountain
areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while increasing
susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control
systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape
routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water
with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very
dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened
or washed out.
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
limited to extensive impacts across the remainder of east central
Florida.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a particularly dangerous tornado event having
possible extensive impacts across much of east central Florida.
Potential impacts include:
- The occurrence of numerous tornadoes can greatly hinder the
execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
- Many places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of
immense destruction, power loss, and communications failures.
- Locations could realize roof and wall failures of sturdy
buildings with some being leveled, structures upon weak
foundations blown away, mobile homes obliterated, large trees
twisted and snapped with forested trees uprooted, vehicles
lifted off the ground and thrown, and small boats destroyed.
Large and deadly projectiles can add to the toll.
* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across the immediate Volusia and Brevard County coastlines.
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:
When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging
wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the
center of the storm.
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, or near an already swollen river, urgently
plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground.
Be sure to let friends and family members know of your intentions for
weathering the storm and your whereabouts. Have someone located away
from the threatened area serve as your point of contact. Share vital
contact information with others.
Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that
are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of
others.
* 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.
