WTUS82 KMFL 100302 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. $$