Hurricane Charley Advisory Number 17

Statement as of 11:00 am EDT on August 13, 2004

...Charley heads toward Florida West Coast...

a Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the Florida Keys from the
Dry Tortugas to the Seven Mile Bridge...and for the Florida West
Coast from East Cape Sable northward to the Steinhatchee river. A
Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected
within the warning area during the next 24 hours. Preparations
should be rushed to completion.

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the Florida and
Georgia coasts from Cocoa Beach Florida to Altamaha Sound Georgia.
A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the Florida Keys
from the Seven Mile Bridge to Ocean Reef...and along the South
Florida Mainland from Ocean Reef to East Cape Sable...including
Florida Bay and Lake Okeechobee.

At 11 am EDT...1500z...the tropical storm watch has been extended
northward to Oregon Inlet North Carolina. A tropical storm watch is
now in effect for the southeastern U.S. Coast from Ocean Reef
northward to south of Cocoa Beach and from north of Altamaha Sound
Georgia to Oregon Inlet North Carolina including Pamlico Sound.

At 11 am EDT...1500z...a Hurricane Watch is in effect from Flagler
Beach Florida northward to the Savannah River near the
Georgia/South Carolina border.

At 11 am EDT...1500z...the center of Hurricane Charley was located
near latitude 25.2 north...longitude 82.8 west or about 145 miles
south of Sarasota Florida.

Charley is moving toward the north near 18 mph and a turn toward the
north-northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected
today.

Maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph...175 km/hr...with higher
gusts. Some strengthening is possible prior to landfall on the
Florida West Coast this afternoon or evening.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 30 miles... 45 km...
from the center...and tropical storm force winds extend outward up
to 105 miles...165 km.

Estimated minimum central pressure is 965 mb...28.49 inches.

Storm surge flooding in the Florida Keys will be subsiding later
today. Storm surge flooding of 10 to 13 feet is expected near and
south of the where the center crosses the Florida West Coast.
Storm surge flooding of 4 to 7 feet along and near the Georgia
coast in the next 24 hours with lesser flooding to the north and
south.
Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are likely along charleys path
across the eastern United States. These rains could cause
life-threatening flash floods.

Isolated tornadoes are possible across parts of southern and central
Florida including the Florida Keys today.

Repeating the 11 am EDT position...25.2 N... 82.8 W. Movement
toward...north near 18 mph. Maximum sustained
winds...110 mph. Minimum central pressure... 965 mb.

For storm information specific to your area...please monitor
products issued by your local weather office.

Intermediate advisories will be issued by the National
Hurricane Center at 1 PM EDT and 3 PM EDT followed
by the next complete advisory at 5 PM EDT.

Forecaster Lawrence