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Other Weather Alerts |
| Type |
Tropical Cyclone Statement |
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| Issued By |
NWS Melbourne FL |
| Issuing Time |
Mon, 07 Oct 2024 08:12:00 PDT |
| Broadcast Time |
Mon, 07 Oct 2024 08:12:00 PDT |
| Valid Until |
Mon, 07 Oct 2024 18:15:00 PDT |
| Brief Description |
Tropical Cyclone Statement |
| Detailed Description |
HLSMLB This product covers East Central Florida . MILTON STRENGTHENS TO POWERFUL CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE. . HURRICANE PREPARATIONS IN EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY TUESDAY NIGHT. NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Northern Lake, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Southern Lake * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Northern Lake, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Southern Lake * STORM INFORMATION: - About 800 miles west-southwest of Orlando FL - 21.7N 91.7W - Storm Intensity 155 mph - Movement East-southeast or 110 degrees at 9 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Major Hurricane Milton was located across the southwest Gulf of Mexico at 11 am and was moving east-southeast at 9 mph. Milton has rapidly strengthened with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, making it a powerful category four hurricane. Milton will move to the east, north of the Yucatan peninsula, through tonight and then turn northeast Tuesday and Tuesday night across the southeast Gulf of Mexico and strengthen to a major hurricane. Milton is currently forecast to make landfall along the Florida west coast late Wednesday afternoon or evening and cross central Florida Wednesday night and move into the Atlantic on Thursday. Ahead of Milton, deep moisture and onshore flow north of a frontal boundary across south Florida will maintain a risk of heavy rainfall today and Tuesday, with the highest risk for flooding along the coast. Rainfall will increase in coverage and intensity Wednesday and Wednesday night directly associated with Hurricane Milton's rain bands. Most likely rainfall tallies this week are generally 4 to 8 inches and locally up to 10 to 12 inches. The heaviest rainfall totals are likely to occur near and north of Milton's track. These rainfall amounts, along with instances of higher rainfall rates, will be capable of producing flooding in low-lying and urban areas. Flooding of roadways may also lead to hazardous driving conditions. Heavy rainfall may also cause rapid rises on area creeks and streams. The St Johns River at Astor is forecast rise quickly by Wednesday night, flooding additional structures and roads. Winds with Milton will increase and become windy in outer rainbands on Wednesday with the strongest winds expected with the core of the hurricane as it tracks across central Florida Wednesday night. Winds will strengthen to tropical storm force with gusts to hurricane force along Milton's path. A narrow swath of sustained hurricane force winds are possible. The winds will knock down trees and power lines, causing power outages in some areas. All east central Florida residents and visitors should be in a safe shelter before conditions become hazardous. A Hurricane Watch is now in effect for all inland east central Florida counties. This includes Greater Orlando. Additional hurricane and/or tropical storm watches are expected to be issued along the coast later today or tonight. In addition to strong to damaging wind gusts, a few tornadoes embedded in rain bands are possible, mainly on Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night as Milton approaches east central Florida. Along the coast, there is the potential for beach and dune erosion and coastal storm surge mainly near and north of where Milton tracks. Strong northerly winds are also expected on Thursday as Milton moves offshore into the Atlantic waters, elevating water levels along the Atlantic coast. Surge values may reach 1 to 3 feet, locally 4 feet, in some areas along the immediate beaches north of Sebastian Inlet, including the Volusia County beaches with dune erosion likely. Now is the time to ensure your hurricane supply kit is stocked and your safety plan is in place. Heed the advice of local officials with recommended evacuation and or sheltering actions for those in flood prone locations, in mobile homes or on the barrier islands. All preparations for Milton should be completed by the end of the day on Tuesday. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service in Melbourne, Florida. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts across northern portions of East Central Florida, including Greater Orlando and surrounding areas. 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 significant impacts across southern portions of East Central Florida, including the Treasure Coast. * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across much of East Central Florida. 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. In mountain areas, destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. 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 far southern portions of East Central Florida. * TORNADOES: Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across East Central Florida. 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. * SURGE: Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts along the coastline of Volusia and Brevard Counties. Potential impacts in this area include: - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away 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. 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. If you are a visitor, know the name of the county or 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. * 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. |
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