Tropical Storm Isaias Local Statement Advisory Number 21

Full Alert Message

Tropical Storm Isaias Local Statement Advisory Number 21 National Weather Service Melbourne FL AL092020 535 AM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020 This product covers East Central Florida **INCREASING WINDS AND SQUALLS WILL OVERSPREAD THE TREASURE COAST REGION THIS MORNING** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled and a Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Coastal Volusia, Indian River, Martin, Northern Brevard, Southern Brevard, and St. Lucie * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect for Coastal Volusia, Indian River, Martin, Northern Brevard, Southern Brevard, and St. Lucie - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Inland Volusia, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole * STORM INFORMATION: - About 160 miles south-southeast of Cape Canaveral FL or about 80 miles southeast of Stuart FL - 26.3N 79.5W - Storm Intensity 65 mph - Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 9 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ The Hurricane Warning for the coastal counties of east central Florida has been changed to a Tropical Storm Warning. A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for all of east central Florida with the exception of Lake County. Tropical Storm Isaias, currently located about 45 miles southeast of West Palm Beach, is forecast to continue moving northwest between the southeast Florida coast and Grand Bahama Island through sunrise. Isaias is forecast to remain a strong tropical storm as it turns north- northwest and moves parallel and very close to the central Florida Atlantic coast. Based on the current forecast motion, tropical storm conditions will start to spread north across the Treasure Coast just after sunrise, Brevard County by early afternoon, and coastal Volusia County during mid to late afternoon. Tropical storm conditions should last about 12 hours once they begin. The center of Isaias is expected to make its closest point of approach to Martin, Saint Lucie, and Indian River Counties from 10 AM through 6 PM, the Brevard County coast from 6 PM through 2 AM Monday, and coastal Volusia County coast between 2 AM and sunrise Monday. Rain bands with gusty squalls from Isaias currently impacting the Treasure Coast and Lake Okeechobee regions will increase and intensify while spreading northward through tonight. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph in some of the squalls along the coast this morning will increase to near hurricane force as Isaias makes its closest approach. Farther inland, gusts could reach as high as 45 to 55 mph in squalls. Total rainfall amounts are expected to reach 2 to 4 inches across the coastal counties with local amounts of up to 6 inches, mainly along the immediate coast. Totals will be lower across the interior with 1 and 2 inches, and local amounts of 3 to 4 inches. Heavy rainfall is likely to cause some flooding of urban and other poorly drained and low-lying areas. This is especially the case in Indian River, Saint Lucie and Martin Counties, where the late spring and summer were quite wet. A Storm Surge Watch remains in effect along the east central Florida coast. There is the potential for life threatening storm surge along portions of the immediate coast that are typically vulnerable to elevated ocean levels or where dune erosion has occurred. Low land flooding is also possible along the intracoastal waterways and in vulnerable low lands near inlets and other low areas near the coast. Seas will build to dangerous levels up to 20 to 25 feet, with large breaking waves in excess of 7 feet and numerous strong rip currents in the surf zone. Coupled with increasing astronomical high tides due to the approaching full moon, moderate to locally significant beach erosion will be likely during the next several high tide cycles. The next two high tide cycles today will be around 730 AM this morning, and again around 800 PM this evening. Weather conditions will become increasingly hazardous as the day progresses! Remain indoors in a safe shelter today, especially if you live in the coastal counties. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Potential impacts from the main wind event are now starting to unfold across the Coastal Counties of Martin, Saint Lucie and Indian River, and will spread north across Volusia and Brevard Later today. Remain well sheltered from dangerous winds and squalls having significant impacts. 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 will also begin to unfold later today across the interior counties except for Lake County. Shelter from hazardous winds and squalls having limited impacts. * FLOODING RAIN: Potential impacts from the flooding rain are starting to unfold across East Central Florida. Remain well guarded against locally hazardous flood waters having limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots. - 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. * SURGE: Potential impacts from the main surge event will start to unfold across the coastal counties of east central Florida. Remain away from storm surge having possible limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by waves. Damage to buildings in a few locations near the coast. - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents. - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages. Elsewhere across East Central Florida, little to no impact is anticipated. * TORNADOES: Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding along the immediate coast. Remain well braced against a tornado event having possible 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, 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. Elsewhere across East Central Florida, little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * 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. During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather. 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 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 Melbourne FL around 12 Noon EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.