WWA Summary for Hurricane Local Statement Issued by MLB

Hurricane Local Statement

Tropical Storm Helene Local Statement Advisory Number 5
FLZ041-044>046-053-058-141-144-154-159-164-247-254-259-264-347-447-547-647-747-242300-

Tropical Storm Helene Local Statement Advisory Number 5
National Weather Service Melbourne FL  AL092024
1125 AM EDT Tue Sep 24 2024

This product covers East Central Florida

**HELENE FORECAST TO STRENGTHEN ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST GULF OF MEXICO ON
WEDNESDAY...

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Northern Lake, Orange,
      Osceola, Seminole, and Southern Lake

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 660 miles south-southwest of Leesburg FL
    - 19.5N 84.3W
    - Storm Intensity 45 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 310 degrees at 12 mph

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

Tropical Storm Helene is located over the northwest Caribbean Sea this
morning and is forecast to move northwest toward the Yucatan Channel
through tonight. The system is expected to strengthen to a
hurricane early Wedensday near the Yucatan channel and emerge into
the southeast Gulf of Mexico through Wednesday afternoon.

Tropical moisture will quickly increase beginning Wednesday across
east central Florida. Developing outer rain bands are forecast to move
northward on Wednesday. Multiple rounds of rainfall are expected,
especially as the system makes its closest approach from Wednesday
night into Thursday. Locally higher rainfall totals will result
from rain bands repeatedly moving over the same locations.

Generally, 1 to 4 inches of total rainfall are forecast areawide with
locally higher amounts of up to 6 inches possible. These rainfall
amounts, along with instances of higher rainfall rates, will be
capable of producing flooding in low-lying and urban areas. Ponding of
water on roadways may also lead to hazardous driving conditions. Any
future adjustments in the track of this system may result in changes
to the current rainfall forecast.

Continued strengthening is forecast as the storm moves northward
toward a landfall near Florida`s Big Bend sometime late Thursday. It
could become a major hurricane prior to landfall, and the area of
tropical storm force winds is expected to encompass a large area. The
potential for wind gusts up to 60 mph exists, especially in closer
proximity to the center of the storm on Thursday. A Tropical Storm
Watch remains in effect for Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake Counties
for the potential of tropical storm force winds beginning on Thursday.
This Tropical Storm Watch includes Greater Orlando area. Additional
Watches may be required for portions of east central Florida later
today.

In addition to strong wind gusts, a few tornadoes embedded in rain
bands are possible, mainly on Thursday, as the system moves northward.

Along the coast, battering surf from Wednesday night into Thursday
night will cause dangerous beach conditions. Run-up to the dune line
or sea walls will result in beach erosion.

Do not let your guard down, especially in locations east of the
current Tropical Storm Watch. Impacts from this tropical cyclone will
be experienced far from the center of the storm. Now is the time to
ensure your hurricane supply kit is stocked and your safety plan is in
place.

As Tropical Storm Helene becomes better organized through Wednesday,
additional changes to the forecast are possible. Eastward shifts in
the forecast track would increase the potential for additional
impacts locally, so continue to monitor the latest forecasts from the
National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service in Melbourne,
Florida.

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

* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
East Central Florida. Potential impacts 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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across Lake County. Potential impacts
include:
    - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter
      currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially
      in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and
      ditches overflow.
    - 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 the remainder of east central Florida.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
inland Volusia, Lake, Seminole, Orange and Osceola Counties.
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.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.

* 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.

If you are a visitor, know the name of the county or parish 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.

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 Melbourne FL around 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

15

Tropical Storm Helene Local Statement Advisory Number 5
FLZ021-023-024-030-031-033-035-038-120-124-125-132-133-136>138-140-220-225-232-236-237-240-322-325-340-422-425-522-GAZ132>136-149-151>154-162-163-165-166-250-264-350-364-242345-

Tropical Storm Helene Local Statement Advisory Number 5
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL AL092024
Issued by National Weather Service New Orleans LA
1142 AM EDT Tue Sep 24 2024

This product covers Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia

**MAJOR HURRICANE LANDFALL FORECAST ALONG THE FLORIDA BIG BEND ON
THURSDAY**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Gilchrist, Southwestern
Columbia, Suwannee, Western Alachua, Western Hamilton, and
Western Marion
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Central Marion and
Eastern Marion

* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 770 miles south-southwest of Jacksonville FL
- 19.5N 84.3W
- Storm Intensity 45 mph
- Movement Northwest or 310 degrees at 12 mph

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

Tropical Storm Helene is expected to strengthen as it
move north northeast through the Gulf over the next few days, before
making landfall around the Big Bend region of Florida late Thursday.
The storm will then track north across the Florida panhandle, into
southern Georgia Thursday night.

Rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches, with locally higher amounts of
about 8 inches, are expected across the I-75 corridor into inland
southeast Georgia, with slightly lesser amounts expected further east.

Tropical storm winds are expected to reach north central Florida
Thursday morning, then overspread much of the area during the day
Thursday through Thursday night. Hurricane force winds will be
possible along the I-75 corridor of northeast Florida Thursday
afternoon and Thursday night.

Storm surge inundation of 2 to 4 feet is possible north of Mayport,
and 1 to 3 feet south of Mayport and in the St Johns river basin.

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

* WIND:
Prepare for dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across
inland NE FL along the I75 corridor. Potential impacts in this area 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.

Also, prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across the remainder of northeast FL and southeast GA.

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across coastal Florida and Georgia. 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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across inland NE FL and inland SE GA. 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, canals, 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 limited to
significant impacts across remainder of NE FL and southeast GA.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
Northeast Florida and Southeast 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.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.

* 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.

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, plan to move to safe shelter.

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as
near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor
drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to
move to safe shelter on higher ground.

Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that
are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of
others.

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 or parish 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.

There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways
to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly.

* 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 Jacksonville FL around 530PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

Tropical Storm Helene Local Statement Advisory Number 5
FLZ043-050-052-056-057-061-139-142-148-149-151-155-160-162-165-239-242-248-249-251-255-260-262-265-242330-

Tropical Storm Helene Local Statement Advisory Number 5
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL AL092024
1128 AM EDT Tue Sep 24 2024

This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida

**PTC 9 HAS NOW BEEN UPGRADED TO TROPICAL STORM HELENE**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal
Levy, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Pasco, Coastal Sarasota, and
Pinellas
- A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch are in effect for
Coastal Charlotte and Coastal Lee
- A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Inland Citrus, Inland
Hernando, Inland Levy, and Inland Pasco
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for DeSoto, Hardee, Inland
Charlotte, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Lee, Inland Manatee,
Inland Sarasota, Polk, and Sumter

* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 670 miles south of Cedar Key FL or about 570 miles south
of Mouth of Tampa Bay FL
- 19.5N 84.3W
- Storm Intensity 45 mph
- Movement Northwest or 310 degrees at 12 mph

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

Tropical Storm Helene centered in the northwest Caribbean
Sea is forecast to continue to organize and more northwest today
before moving into the southern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday.
Widespread impacts are expected across West-central and Southwest
Florida beginning Wednesday night and Thursday.

* Storm Surge - Life threatening storm surge of 10 to 15 feet from
Chassahowitzka to Suwannee River. Storm surge of 6 to 10 feet from
Anclote River to Chassahowitzka. Storm surge of 5 to 8 feet from
Middle of Longboat Key to Anclote River. Storm surge of 4 to 7 feet
from Englewood to Middle of Longboat Key. Storm surge of 3 to 5 feet
from Bonita Beach to Englewood.

* Rain - Flooding rain threat will run from Wednesday evening through
Thursday evening with rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches with locally
higher amounts up to 10 inches possible.

* Wind - Hurricane and tropical storm force winds will be possible
Wednesday night and Thursday with the highest probabilities along the
coast.

* Tornadoes - Tornadoes are possible Thursday, especially across the
Nature Coast and Tampa Bay area.

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

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible catastrophic
impacts across Nature Coast and West-Central Florida. 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 West Central and Southwest Florida, little to no
impact is anticipated.

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts
across Nature Coast and coastal portions of west-central and
southwest Florida. Potential impacts in this area
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.

Also, prepare for dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant impacts across west-central and southwest
Florida..

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across the Nature Coast. 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, canals, 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 across West-Central and Southwest Florida.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across Nature Coast
and Tampa Bay area. 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 boats pulled
from moorings.