Tornado Watch -

From Sun 10:57 am until 8:00 pm EDT

Action Recommended

Attend to information sources as described in the instructions

Issued By

Tampa Bay/Ruskin – FL, US, National Weather Service

Affected Area

Polk County

Description

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 594 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN FLORIDA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 15 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA HARDEE POLK SUMTER IN NORTHERN FLORIDA LEVY IN SOUTH CENTRAL FLORIDA DESOTO HIGHLANDS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CHARLOTTE LEE IN WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA CITRUS HERNANDO HILLSBOROUGH MANATEE PASCO PINELLAS SARASOTA THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ARCADIA, AVON PARK, BAYSHORE GARDENS, BEVERLY HILLS, BONITA SPRINGS, BOWLING GREEN, BRADENTON, BRANDON, BRONSON, BROOKSVILLE, BUSHNELL, CAPE CORAL, CEDAR KEY, CHIEFLAND, CITRUS SPRINGS, CLEARWATER, DADE CITY, ENGLEWOOD, FANNING SPRINGS, FLORAL CITY, FORT MYERS, HERNANDO, HOLIDAY, HOMOSASSA SPRINGS, HUDSON, INVERNESS, JASMINE ESTATES, LAKE PANASOFFKEE, LAKELAND, LAND O LAKES, LARGO, LECANTO, LEHIGH ACRES, NEW PORT RICHEY, NORTH FORT MYERS, NORTH PORT, PALMETTO, PLACID LAKES, PORT CHARLOTTE, PUNTA GORDA, SARASOTA, SEBRING, SOUTH VENICE, SPRING HILL, ST. PETERSBURG, TAMPA, THE VILLAGES, VENICE, WAUCHULA, WILDWOOD, WILLISTON, WINTER HAVEN, ZEPHYRHILLS, AND ZOLFO SPRINGS.

Tropical Storm Watch

Action Recommended

Make preparations per the instructions

Issued By

Tampa Bay/Ruskin – FL, US, National Weather Service

Affected Area

Polk County

Description

…TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT… LOCATIONS AFFECTED – Lakeland – Winter Haven – Bartow WIND – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind – Peak Wind Forecast: 15-25 mph with gusts to 35 mph – THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 39 to 57 mph – The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – PLAN: The sustained wind should remain less than tropical storm force. Conditions may still be gusty. – PREPARE: Listen for any instructions from local officials. – ACT: Ensure emergency readiness should the forecast change. – REALIZED IMPACTS: Being Assessed – Little to no additional wind impacts expected. Community officials are now assessing the extent of actual wind impacts accordingly. FLOODING RAIN – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flood Watch is in effect – Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 3-6 inches, with locally higher amounts – THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for moderate flooding rain – The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible. – PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. – ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life. – POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant – 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. TORNADO – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Tornado Watch is in effect – Situation is favorable for tornadoes – THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for several tornadoes – The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. – PLAN: Plans should still include the potential for several tornadoes. – PREPARE: Keep informed should additional weather alerts be needed. – ACT: If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly. – POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant – The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. – Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. – Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll. FOR MORE INFORMATION: – https://www.weather.gov/tbw

Tropical Weather Statement

Until Sun 7:30 pm EDT

Action Recommended

Attend to information sources as described in the instructions

Issued By

Tampa Bay/Ruskin – FL, US, National Weather Service

Affected Area

Polk County

Description

This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida **DEBBY LIKELY TO STRENGTHEN RAPIDLY BEFORE LANDFALL IN THE FLORIDA BIG BEND REGION* NEW INFORMATION ————— CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: – The Storm Surge Watch has been upgraded to a Storm Surge Warning for Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Pasco, and Pinellas CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: – A Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Coastal Levy – A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Inland Levy – A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Pasco, and Pinellas – A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect for Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Lee, and Coastal Sarasota – A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Manatee, Inland Pasco, Inland Sarasota, and Sumter – A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for DeSoto, Hardee, Inland Charlotte, Inland Lee, and Polk STORM INFORMATION: – About 100 miles west-southwest of Mouth of Tampa Bay FL or about 150 miles west of Fort Myers FL – 27.0N 84.3W – Storm Intensity 65 mph – Movement North-northwest or 330 degrees at 13 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW —————— Tropical Storm Debby is currently located west of the Florida Peninsula, centered about 130 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida. Deteriorating conditions are expected through today. Storm Surge – Life threatening storm surge of 4 to 7 feet from Yankeetown to Suwannee River. Storm surge of 3 to 5 feet from Longboat Key to Yankeetown. Storm surge of 2 to 4 feet expected from Bonita Beach to Longboat Key. Rain – Flooding rain threat will begin tonight and continue on Sunday with 6 to 12 inches storm total rainfall expected, and isolated amounts up to 18 inches. Wind – Tropical storm force winds are possible with the highest probabilities across coastal counties into adjacent coastal waters. Hurricane conditions are possible in northern coastal waters and Levy County. Tornadoes – Tornadoes are possible today, especially across coastal and west-central Florida. POTENTIAL IMPACTS —————– SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible extensive impacts across the Nature Coast. 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 West Central and Southwest Florida. FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across West Central and Southwest 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. 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. WIND: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts across 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. TORNADOES: Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across West Central and Southwest Florida. Potential impacts include: – The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. – Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. – Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ———————————- EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. 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 Tampa Bay Ruskin FL around 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.