837  
WTUS82 KTBW 290910  
HLSTBW  
FLZ043-050-052-056-057-061-139-142-148-149-151-155-160-162-165-239-242-248-249-251-255-260-262-265-291715-  
 
HURRICANE IDALIA LOCAL STATEMENT ADVISORY NUMBER 11  
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAMPA BAY RUSKIN FL AL102023  
510 AM EDT TUE AUG 29 2023  
 
THIS PRODUCT COVERS WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA  
 
**IDALIA NOW A HURRICANE AND EXPECTED TO RAPIDLY INTENSIFY INTO AN  
EXTREMELY DANGEROUS MAJOR HURRICANE BEFORE LANDFALL ON WEDNESDAY**  
 
NEW INFORMATION  
---------------  
 
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:  
- NONE  
 
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:  
- A STORM SURGE WARNING AND HURRICANE WARNING ARE IN EFFECT FOR  
COASTAL CITRUS, COASTAL HERNANDO, COASTAL HILLSBOROUGH, COASTAL  
LEVY, COASTAL MANATEE, COASTAL PASCO, INLAND CITRUS, AND  
PINELLAS  
- A STORM SURGE WARNING, TROPICAL STORM WARNING, AND HURRICANE  
WATCH ARE IN EFFECT FOR COASTAL SARASOTA  
- A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR INLAND HERNANDO, INLAND  
HILLSBOROUGH, INLAND LEVY, INLAND MANATEE, INLAND PASCO, AND  
SUMTER  
- A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND HURRICANE WATCH ARE IN EFFECT FOR  
INLAND SARASOTA  
- A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND STORM SURGE WATCH ARE IN EFFECT  
FOR COASTAL CHARLOTTE AND COASTAL LEE  
- A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR DESOTO, HARDEE,  
INLAND CHARLOTTE, INLAND LEE, AND POLK  
 
* STORM INFORMATION:  
- ABOUT 340 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF MOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FL OR  
ABOUT 310 MILES SOUTHWEST OF FORT MYERS FL  
- 23.1N 85.0W  
- STORM INTENSITY 75 MPH  
- MOVEMENT NORTH OR 360 DEGREES AT 14 MPH  
 
SITUATION OVERVIEW  
------------------  
 
HURRICANE IDALIA IS STARTING TO LIFT NORTH OFF OF WESTERN CUBA THIS  
MORNING. IDALIA IS FORECAST TO CONTINUE MOVING NORTH AND EVENTUALLY  
NORTHEAST ACROSS THE EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO THROUGH WEDNESDAY, AND  
INTENSIFYING INTO A MAJOR HURRICANE. WATCHES AND WARNINGS REMAIN IN  
EFFECT FOR WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AND THE ADJACENT COASTAL  
WATERS.  
 
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE PRIMARY HAZARDS OF CONCERN WITH IDALIA:  
 
* STORM SURGE - AREAS ACROSS THE NATURE COAST ARE FORECAST TO SEE  
EXTREME LIFE-THREATENING LEVELS OF STORM SURGE, WITH LIFE- THREATENING  
SURGE ALSO POSSIBLE ACROSS WEST-CENTRAL FLORIDA. THE MAIN PERIOD OF  
SURGE LOOKS TO OCCUR LATE THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY. STORM  
SURGE INUNDATION COULD REACH 8 TO 12 FEET ALONG THE LEVY AND CITRUS  
COUNTY COASTLINES, 6 TO 9 FEET ALONG THE HERNANDO AND PASCO COUNTY  
COASTLINES, 4 TO 7 FEET FOR THE PINELLAS, HILLSBOROUGH, AND MANATEE  
COUNTY COASTLINES, 3 TO 5 FEET ALONG THE SARASOTA COUNTY COAST, AND  
2 TO 4 FEET ALONG CHARLOTTE AND LEE COUNTIES.  
 
* WIND - WINDS WILL START TO INCREASE THROUGH THE DAY TODAY, WITH  
HURRICANE FORCE WINDS POSSIBLE ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA, ESPECIALLY  
NEAR THE COAST. TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE  
SOUTHERN ZONES. RUSH TO COMPLETION ANY PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES THIS  
MORNING. DOWNED TREES AND POWERLINES, WITH PROLONGED POWER OUTAGES  
WILL BE POSSIBLE.  
 
* RAINFALL - RAIN BANDS FROM IDALIA WILL LIFT OVER THE AREA TODAY AS  
THE STORM APPROACHES, WITH THE MORE CONSISTENT TROPICAL RAINS WITH THE  
STORM POSSIBLE LATER TODAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY. A SLIGHT TO MODERATE  
RISK FOR FLOODING IS POSSIBLE, MAINLY ALONG THE COAST AND ACROSS THE  
NORTHERN ZONES, CLOSER TO THE CENTER OF THE STORM. RAINFALL TOTALS OF  
4 TO 8 INCHES WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS UP TO 12 INCHES IS POSSIBLE.  
 
POTENTIAL IMPACTS  
-----------------  
 
* SURGE:  
PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE DEVASTATING  
IMPACTS ACROSS WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. POTENTIAL IMPACTS  
IN THIS AREA INCLUDE:  
- WIDESPREAD DEEP INUNDATION, WITH STORM SURGE FLOODING GREATLY  
ACCENTUATED BY POWERFUL BATTERING WAVES. STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO  
BUILDINGS, WITH MANY WASHING AWAY. DAMAGE GREATLY COMPOUNDED  
FROM CONSIDERABLE FLOATING DEBRIS. LOCATIONS MAY BE  
UNINHABITABLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD.  
- NEAR-SHORE ESCAPE ROUTES AND SECONDARY ROADS WASHED OUT OR  
SEVERELY FLOODED. FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEMS AND BARRIERS MAY BECOME  
STRESSED.  
- EXTREME BEACH EROSION. NEW SHORELINE CUTS POSSIBLE.  
- MASSIVE DAMAGE TO MARINAS, DOCKS, BOARDWALKS, AND PIERS.  
NUMEROUS SMALL CRAFT BROKEN AWAY FROM MOORINGS WITH MANY LIFTED  
ONSHORE AND STRANDED.  
 
* WIND:  
PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING WIND HAVING POSSIBLE DEVASTATING  
IMPACTS ACROSS WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST 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.  
 
* 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.  
 
* 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:  
LISTEN TO LOCAL OFFICIALS FOR RECOMMENDED PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS.  
IF ORDERED TO EVACUATE, DO SO IMMEDIATELY.  
 
FOR THOSE NOT UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS, ASSESS THE RISK FROM WIND,  
FALLING TREES, AND FLOODING AT YOUR LOCATION. IF YOU DECIDE TO MOVE,  
RELOCATE TO A SAFER LOCATION NEARBY. IF YOU DO NOT RELOCATE, HELP  
KEEP ROADWAYS OPEN FOR THOSE UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS.  
 
IF EVACUATING, LEAVE WITH A DESTINATION IN MIND AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME  
TO GET THERE. TAKE YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES KIT. GAS UP YOUR VEHICLE  
AHEAD OF TIME.  
 
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:  
NOW IS THE TIME TO COMPLETE ALL PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND  
PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN. ENSURE YOU ARE IN A  
SAFE LOCATION BEFORE THE ONSET OF STRONG WINDS OR POSSIBLE FLOODING.  
 
IF HEADING TO A COMMUNITY SHELTER, BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE SHELTER  
RULES BEFORE ARRIVAL, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS OR HAVE  
PETS. TAKE ESSENTIAL ITEMS WITH YOU FROM YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES KIT.  
 
FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY SHELTER MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR LOSS OF  
LIFE. ALWAYS HEED THE ADVICE OF LOCAL OFFICIALS AND COMPLY WITH ANY  
ORDERS THAT ARE ISSUED. REMEMBER, DURING THE STORM 9 1 1 EMERGENCY  
SERVICES MAY NOT BE ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESPOND IF CONDITIONS ARE  
UNSAFE. THIS SHOULD BE A BIG FACTOR IN YOUR DECISION MAKING.  
 
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.  
 
* 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 12 PM EDT, OR SOONER IF  
CONDITIONS WARRANT.  
 

 
 
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