Avertizari vremea, Club Key

Tropical Cyclone Statement issued September 24 at 11:08AM EDT by NWS Miami FL HLSMFL This product covers South Florida **Tropical Storm Helene forecast to strengthen entering the Gulf of Mexico** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch are in effect for Coastal Collier County and Mainland Monroe * STORM INFORMATION: - About 500 miles south-southwest of Miami FL or about 480 miles south-southwest of Naples FL - 19.5N 84.3W - Storm Intensity 45 mph - Movement Northwest or 310 degrees at 12 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Helene is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane as it moves into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. The following are the primary hazards of concern with Tropical Storm Helene: * Coastal Flooding/Surge - Higher than usual tides due to the combination of surge from Helene and the recent full moon could lead to coastal flooding of 2 to 4 ft later this week over portions of Coastal Collier and mainland Monroe Counties, with the highest tides expected on Thursday. Inundation could be as much as 6 feet in a few areas along the Collier County coast if the track shifts east and/or the storm is stronger. Other vulnerable coastal areas of southern Florida could also experience minor coastal flooding, especially around the times of high tide. * Rainfall - The majority of the rainfall associated with the system is forecast to fall Wednesday through Friday. Rainfall will range between 3 to 5 inches across most of the area. Locally higher amounts of 6+ inches are possible and will depend on how this system tracks and evolves through the week. A Flood Watch will be in effect for Southwest Florida and may become necessary for other portions of southern Florida. * Wind - The highest probabilities for sustained tropical storm force winds will be along the Gulf coast of Southwest Florida, including Collier and mainland Monroe Counties, and adjacent Gulf waters. All of South Florida could see strong winds gusts with squalls Wednesday through Friday. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * SURGE: Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts across coastal Southwest Florida. 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. Elsewhere across South Florida, little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across Southwest Florida. Potential impacts include: - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Ditches and canals may quickly become swollen with swift currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. - 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. Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across Southeast Florida. * WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across Southwest Florida. Potential impacts in this area 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. Elsewhere across South Florida, little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * 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. 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. When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness activities to become unsafe. 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. Keep cell phones handy and charged. Check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are unable to make personal preparations. If you are a visitor, know the name of the county 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 Miami FL around 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.