Предупреждения, Lake - Sumter Emergency Medical Services Station 251

Tropical Cyclone Statement issued September 26 at 5:27PM EDT by NWS Melbourne FL HLSMLB This product covers East Central Florida **MAJOR HURRICANE HELENE STRENGTHENING, CONDITIONS DETERIORATING ACROSS EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA THROUGH THIS EVENING** 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 180 miles west-southwest of Leesburg FL - 27.9N 84.6W - Storm Intensity 125 mph - Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 23 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Helene has strengthened to a major Category 3 hurricane and is located around 145 miles southwest of Tampa, across the southeast Gulf of Mexico as of 5 PM. 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 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 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 evening. 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 this evening. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 8 PM across east central Florida. Additional watches will be likely later tonight. 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 localized flooding in low-lying and urban areas, especially in areas which have already received heavy rainfall this month. A Flood Watch remains 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 tomorrow morning's high tide, occurring between 3 AM and 5 AM. 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 rest of this evening. Do not let your guard down. This is 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 is 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: Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across East Central Florida. Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having possible limited impacts. If realized, these 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: Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across East Central Florida. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts. If realized, these 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. A Tornado Watch remains in effect through 8 PM EDT. Extensions or additional watches will be likely across some areas of east central Florida late tonight. * FLOODING RAIN: Remain well guarded against dangerous flood waters having possible impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief 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 12 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.