I'm also closely monitoring. We're scheduled to drive down tomorrow and have
MNSSHP tickets for Thursday. Uggh!
Hurricane Statement has just been issued by the National Weather Service for East Central Florida (covers Orlando - includes Orange County):
This product covers east central Florida
... Hurricane watches now in effect for portions of east central
Florida...
New information
---------------
* changes to watches and warnings:
- a Hurricane Watch has been issued for southern Brevard
County... Indian River... Okeechobee... St. Lucie... Martin and
northern Brevard County
* current watches and warnings:
- a Hurricane Watch is in effect for southern Brevard
County... Indian River... Okeechobee... St. Lucie... Martin and
northern Brevard County
* storm information:
- about 770 miles south-southeast of Cape Canaveral FL or about
710 miles southeast of Fort Pierce FL
- 18.9n 74.3w
- storm intensity 145 mph
- movement north or 360 degrees at 10 mph
Situation overview
------------------
Major Hurricane Matthew is currently moving northward over the
northern Caribbean Sea and is forecast to move through the Windward
Passage between Cuba and Haiti tonight, then emerge into the
southeastern Bahamas Wednesday morning. The latest National Hurricane
Center forecast track indicates that Matthew will turn northwest over
the Bahamas as a major hurricane on Wednesday.
Matthew is forecast to parallel close to the Florida East Coast as a
major hurricane Thursday night and Friday. The overall threat from
Matthew to east central Florida is serious and has increased.
Sustained tropical storm force winds will be possible beginning
Thursday along the Treasure Coast, spreading north and northwest
across east central Florida Thursday night and Friday, including the
interior counties of Okeechobee, Osceola,
Orange, Seminole and lake.
Given the strength of Hurricane Matthew and its forecasted close
approach to the Florida East Coast, hurricane force winds will be
possible in Martin, Saint Lucie, Indian River, Brevard and Volusia
counties Thursday night and Friday.
Large breaking waves are forecast to peak over 12 feet and produce
rough, pounding surf resulting in a significant risk of coastal
flooding, severe beach erosion and a high risk of rip currents
Thursday night and Friday. The potential exists for dangerous storm
surge flooding of 3 to 6 feet above ground along portions of the east
central Florida coast.
The heaviest rainfall will occur near and to the right of where the
core of Matthew tracks.
A heavy rain and flood threat may develop
along the coast Thursday into Friday with the potential for rainfall
totals up to 3 to 6 inches. Many soils are saturated from recent rains
and additional rainfall will quickly produce water ponding.
Residents and visitors to east central Florida are strongly encouraged
to monitor the latest track and intensity forecasts from the National
Hurricane Center.
Potential impacts
-----------------
* wind:
prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive to
devastating impacts along coastal communities of east central
Florida. Potential impacts in this area include:
- structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof
and wall failures. Complete destruction of Mobile homes. Damage
greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations
may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
- Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
roadway signs blown over.
- Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access
routes impassable.
- Widespread power and communications outages.
Also, prepare for life-threatening wind having possible significant
to extensive impacts across inland areas of east central Florida.
* Storm surge:
storm surge information is unavailable at this time but will be
updated shortly.
* Flooding rain:
prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts along the coast of east central Florida. Potential impacts
include:
- some streets and parking lots take on moving water as
storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions
will become hazardous with some Road and bridge closures.
- Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches will overflow.
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across inland areas 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.
Precautionary/preparedness actions
----------------------------------
now is the time to check your emergency plan and take necessary
actions to secure your home or business. Deliberate efforts should be
underway to protect life and property. Ensure that your emergency
supplies kit is stocked and ready.
When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track as there are inherent forecast uncertainties
which must be taken into account.
Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders
that are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives
of others.
Visitors to the area should become familiar with nearby surroundings.
If you are a visitor, know the name of the County in which you are
located and where it is relative to current watches and warnings.
Closely monitor NOAA Weather Radio or other 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.
