Critical HLS Hurricane/Tropical Local Statment — Wed Oct 9, 2024 11:18 PM

HLSMFL
FLZ063-066>075-168-172>174-101115-

Hurricane Milton Local Statement Advisory Number 20
National Weather Service Miami FL  AL142024
1102 PM EDT Wed Oct 9 2024

This product covers South Florida

**HURRICANE MILTON REMAINS DANGEROUS HURRICANE OVER WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA **


NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Glades and Hendry
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Coastal Collier County and Mainland Monroe
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Coastal Broward
      County, Coastal Miami Dade County, Coastal Palm Beach County,
      Far South Miami-Dade County, Inland Broward County, Inland
      Collier County, Inland Miami-Dade County, Inland Palm Beach
      County, Metro Broward County, Metro Palm Beach County, and
      Metropolitan Miami Dade

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 170 miles northwest of Miami FL or about 100 miles north
      of Naples FL
    - 27.6N 82.0W
    - Storm Intensity 105 mph
    - Movement East-northeast or 60 degrees at 16 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Hurricane Milton remains a hurricane and has made landfall near
Siesta Key, FL. It is forecast to remain at hurricane strength as it
crosses the Florida peninsula overnight.

The following are the primary hazards of concern with Hurricane Milton
for South Florida:

* Storm Surge - Dangerous storm surge is currently ongoing across
Collier and Mainland Monroe Counties. Surge will peak at 5 to 8 feet
of over portions of coastal Collier County and 3 to 5 feet over
portions of Mainland Monroe County for the remainder of the night into
Thursday morning.

* Wind - The highest probabilities for sustained hurricane and
tropical storm force winds will remain along the Gulf Coast of
Southwest Florida, including Glades, Hendry and Collier Counties, as
well as the adjacent Gulf waters. Tropical storm force winds are still
possible across the rest of South Florida, including the Atlantic
Coast and adjacent Atlantic waters, especially in Palm Beach County
closest to the storm center. The peak of the winds are ongoing through
the rest of tonight into Thursday.

* Tornadoes - A few tornadoes will be possible through early Thursday
morning, with the highest chances across the Lake Okeechobee region
and Palm Beach County.

* Rainfall - Heavy rainfall leading to possible localized flooding is
possible across portions of Southwest Florida through Thursday as
intermittent outer rain bands continue to pass through the area. A
Flood Watch is in effect for Hendry, Glades, and Collier Counties
through Thursday morning. Isolated Flash Flooding cannot be ruled out
in these areas.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible extensive
impacts across coastal Southwest Florida. Potential impacts in this
area include:
    - Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding
      accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings,
      with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating
      debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period.
    - Large sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads
      washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and
      barriers may become stressed.
    - Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss.
    - Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many
      small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded.

Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible
significant impacts across far south Miami Dade County along Florida
Bay.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
interior and southwest Florida. Remain well sheltered from dangerous
winds. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
      to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
      experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile
      homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight
      objects become dangerous projectiles.
    - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
      numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several
      fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines.

Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across interior and southwest Florida.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still possible across the Lake
Okeechobee region and Palm Beach County. Remain well braced against a
tornado event having additional limited impacts. If realized, these
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, 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 South Florida, little to no impact is anticipated.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still possible across
Southwest Florida. Remain well guarded against locally hazardous flood
waters having additional limited impacts. If realized, these impacts
include:
    - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations.
    - Ditches and canals may quickly rise with swift currents.
    - 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.

Elsewhere across South Florida, little to no impact is anticipated.

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.

Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose
power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and
check-ins.

Quickly move to the safest place within your shelter if it begins to
fail, preferably an interior room on the lowest floor as long as
flooding is not a concern.

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
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Miami FL around 5 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

$$