This product covers South Florida
***Major Hurricane Ian Bringing Significant Impacts to South
Florida***
NEW INFORMATION
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* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
Coastal Collier
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Glades, Hendry, and Inland
Collier
- A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
for Mainland Monroe
- A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect
for Far South Miami-Dade
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Coastal Broward,
Coastal Miami-Dade, Coastal Palm Beach, Inland Broward, Inland
Miami-Dade, Inland Palm Beach, Metro Broward, Metro Miami-Dade,
and Metro Palm Beach
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 40 miles west-northwest of Naples FL
- 26.3N 82.5W
- Storm Intensity 155 mph
- Movement North-northeast or 15 degrees at 9 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
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Hurricane Ian is currently moving through the southeastern Gulf of
Mexico and approaching the southwest coast of Florida today. Regardless of exact
landfall location, hazardous conditions will extend well away from the
center of the system. The following hazardous conditions can be
expected for South Florida:
* Peak storm surge values of 8 to 12 feet are expected particularly in
surge prone areas between Bonita Beach to Chokoloskee. Peak storm
surge values of 5 to 8 feet are the main concern from Chokoloskee to
East Cape Sable and 2 to 4 feet from East Cape Sable to Card Sound
Road along Florida Bay. The storm surge threat is ongoing, surge will
be slow to subside and may impact the region through late week. This
could lead to significant and life- threatening storm surge flooding
particularly along coastal Collier County.
* Multiple rounds of heavy rainfall associated with rainbands may lead
to flooding across all of South Florida. Additional rainfall will
range 2 to 4 inches locally higher amounts possible. Flash-flooding
will be possible in this environment.
* Tornadoes embedded in showers and thunderstorms within the outer
rainbands associated with the system have been observed yesterday and
last night, and the threat will persist through the day today.
* Hazardous marine and beach conditions are expected. Dangerous surf
conditions are expected along the Gulf coast.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
southwest Florida. Remain well away from life-threatening
surge having additional devastating impacts. If
realized, these impacts 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.
Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
across Mainland Monroe. Remain well away from
life-threatening surge having additional significant
to extensive impacts.
Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
across coastal Florida Bay. Remain well away from locally
hazardous surge having possible limited impacts.
Elsewhere across South Florida, little to no impact is anticipated.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
South Florida. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood
waters having possible devastating impacts.
If realized, these impacts include:
- Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and
rescues.
- Ditches and canals may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in
many places with deep moving water. 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 with streets, parking lots and underpasses submerged.
Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and
bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
southwest Florida. Remain well sheltered from
life-threatening wind having additional extensive
impacts. If realized, these impacts 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.
Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across the remainder of South Florida. Remain well sheltered from
dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant impacts.
* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across South Florida.
Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having additional
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.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Do not enter evacuated areas until officials have given the all clear to return.
* 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.
Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos.
If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch
or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic
rise in water levels.
If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the
safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body.
* 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
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The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Miami FL around 5PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.
