Avertizari vremea, United Church

Tropical Cyclone Statement issued September 24 at 5:22PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL HLSTAE This product covers eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia **HELENE FORECAST TO MAKE LANDFALL AS A MAJOR HURRICANE ALONG THE FLORIDA BIG BEND ON THURSDAY.** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning and the Storm Surge Watch has been upgraded to a Storm Surge Warning for Coastal Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Wakulla, and Inland Dixie - The Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning and a Storm Surge Warning have been issued for Inland Jefferson and Inland Wakulla - The Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning for Gadsden, Inland Franklin, Inland Taylor, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, and Madison - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning for Coastal Gulf and Inland Gulf - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Calhoun, Coastal Bay, and Inland Bay - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Jackson - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Grady, Lanier, Lowndes, Mitchell, and Thomas - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Baker, Ben Hill, Calhoun, Clay, Dougherty, Early, Henry, Houston, Irwin, Lee, Miller, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Terrell, Tift, Turner, and Worth * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Coastal Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Wakulla, Inland Dixie, Inland Jefferson, and Inland Wakulla - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Coastal Gulf, Gadsden, Inland Franklin, Inland Gulf, Inland Taylor, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, and Madison - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Calhoun, Coastal Bay, Inland Bay, and Jackson - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Grady, Lanier, Lowndes, Mitchell, and Thomas - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Baker, Ben Hill, Calhoun, Clay, Dougherty, Early, Henry, Houston, Irwin, Lee, Miller, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Terrell, Tift, Turner, and Worth * STORM INFORMATION: - About 720 miles south of Panama City or about 690 miles south of Apalachicola - 19.7N 84.7W - Storm Intensity 50 mph - Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 12 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ ...HURRICANE WARNINGS ARE NOW IN EFFECT FOR MOST OF THE FLORIDA BIG BEND... ...HURRICANE WATCHES ARE NOW IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN GEORGIA... At 5PM EDT, Tropical Storm Helene is gradually strengthening as it moves through the northwestern Caribbean Sea. It is forecast to gradually strengthen throughout the night as it heads for the Yucatan Channel. From there, it heads northeast through the eastern Gulf of Mexico while rapidly strengthening into a Major Hurricane ahead of landfall as a Major Hurricane along the northeast Gulf Coast late Thursday into early Friday. Confidence is increasing for potentially significant impacts across our region including high winds, significant and life-threatening storm surge in Apalachee Bay, flash flooding from heavy rainfall, and a few tornadoes. Conditions could begin to deteriorate as early as Wednesday night, so preparations should be completed by sunset Wednesday evening. Wind Threat: It is increasingly likely that a major hurricane will make landfall somewhere along the FL Big Bend coast on Thursday. While exact impacts will be heavily dependent on the eventual track, expect catastrophic wind damage near the eventual landfall point and inland along the track. Widespread power outages, damage to critical infrastructure, widespread inaccessibility due to road blockages, and damage to structures will all be possible. Some areas may experience power outages for a week or more. Further away from the center, significant wind damage and power outages will also be possible. Surge Threat: Significant and life-threatening storm surge is forecast for Apalachee Bay. Not only is this forecast to be a major hurricane at landfall, but it is forecast to be a large hurricane as well. Storm surge may begin to arrive as early as late Wednesday night ahead of the winds. This forecast, if realized, is a nightmare surge scenario for Apalachee Bay. Please please please take any evacuation orders seriously. Flooding Rain Threat: Widespread heavy rainfall is forecast with this system and may lead to both flash flooding and riverine flooding. Heavy rainfall is possible ahead of Helene Wednesday, perhaps enhancing the overall flooding threat on Thursday as Helene moves through the area. Even though the hurricane is forecast to be moving quickly, very high rainfall rates and already saturated soils in some places will still combine for a serious flood risk across the region. Be prepared for flash flooding and quickly rising rivers and streams. A Flood Watch is in effect for the entire area. Tornadoes: While not the highest threat with this system, a few tornadoes will be possible along and east of the eventual track. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts across the Florida Big Bend. Potential impacts in this area include: - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks or months. - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. - Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Widespread power and communications outages. Also, prepare for life-threatening wind having possible limited to extensive impacts across the Florida Panhandle, Southeast Alabama, and Southwest Georgia. * SURGE: Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible catastrophic impacts across the coastal Florida Big Bend. Potential impacts in this area include: - Widespread deep inundation, with storm surge flooding greatly accentuated by powerful battering waves. Structural damage to buildings, with many washing away. Damage greatly compounded from considerable floating debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period. - Near-shore escape routes and secondary roads washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Extreme beach erosion. New shoreline cuts possible. - Massive damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Numerous small craft broken away from moorings with many lifted onshore and stranded. Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, southeastern Alabama and southern Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across the Florida Big Bend, Southwest Georgia, and Southeast Alabama. 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, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. 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 elsewhere across the region. * TORNADOES: Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across the eastern Florida Big Bend and south central Georgia. 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. Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible. Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather forecast before departing and drive with caution. If heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or have pets. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit. Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making. Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city in which you are staying and the name of the county in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities. Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed evacuation orders issued by the local authorities. Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown! If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options. 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, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding. 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 additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Tallahassee FL around 11:30pm, or sooner if conditions warrant.