Hurricane Milton Local Statement Advisory Number 18

Full Alert Message

Hurricane Milton Local Statement Advisory Number 18 National Weather Service Miami FL AL142024 1141 AM EDT Wed Oct 9 2024 This product covers South Florida **TORNADIC SUPERCELLS FROM MILTON BEGINNING TO SWEEP ACROSS THE SOUTHERN FLORIDA PENINSULA** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Coastal Collier County - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Glades, Hendry, and Inland Collier County - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for 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 Miami-Dade County, Inland Palm Beach County, Metro Broward County, Metro Palm Beach County, and Metropolitan Miami Dade * STORM INFORMATION: - About 250 miles west of Miami FL or about 160 miles west of Naples FL - 25.8N 84.3W - Storm Intensity 145 mph - Movement Northeast or 35 degrees at 17 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Milton remains a major hurricane over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. It is forecast to remain at major hurricane strength as it approaches the Gulf Coast of Florida later tonight. The following are the primary hazards of concern with Hurricane Milton for South Florida: * Storm Surge - There is an increasing risk of dangerous storm surge for portions of the Florida Gulf Coast. 5 to 8 feet of storm surge over portions of coastal Collier County and 3 to 5 feet over portions of Mainland Monroe County this afternoon into Thursday. * Wind - The highest probabilities for sustained hurricane and tropical storm force winds will be 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 expected across the rest of South Florida, including the Atlantic Coast and adjacent Atlantic waters, especially in conjunction with Milton's rainbands. The peak of the winds will generally occur tonight into Thursday. * Tornadoes - Several tornadoes will be possible through early Thursday morning, with the highest chances across portions of the western Florida Peninsula. * Rainfall - Heavy rainfall leading to possible flooding is expected across Southwest Florida through Thursday. 1 to 3 inches of additional rainfall is possible through this time period with localized higher amounts. A Flood Watch is in effect for Hendry, Glades, and Collier Counties through Thursday morning. 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: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts across 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, protect against dangerous wind having possible limited to significant impacts across the rest of South Florida. * TORNADOES: Protect against a particularly dangerous tornado event having possible extensive impacts across portions of Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Palm Beach counties. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of numerous tornadoes can greatly hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - Many places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of immense destruction, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roof and wall failures of sturdy buildings with some being leveled, structures upon weak foundations blown away, mobile homes obliterated, large trees twisted and snapped with forested trees uprooted, vehicles lifted off the ground and thrown, and small boats destroyed. Large and deadly projectiles can add to the toll. Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across the rest of South Florida. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across portions of Southwest Florida. Potential impacts include: - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Ditches and canals may quickly become swollen with swift currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. - 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. Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across the rest of South Florida. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: * Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: 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. 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. 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. 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 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 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.