699  
WTUS82 KTBW 291522  
HLSTBW  
FLZ043-050-052-056-057-061-139-142-148-149-151-155-160-162-165-239-242-248-249-251-255-260-262-265-292330-  
 
HURRICANE IDALIA LOCAL STATEMENT ADVISORY NUMBER 12  
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAMPA BAY RUSKIN FL AL102023  
1122 AM EDT TUE AUG 29 2023  
 
THIS PRODUCT COVERS WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA  
 
**IDALIA CONTINUES TO INTENSIFY, CATASTROPHIC STORM SURGE IS EXPECTED  
WITH LANDFALL**  
 
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 330 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF CEDAR KEY FL OR ABOUT 240  
MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF MOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FL  
- 24.6N 84.8W  
- STORM INTENSITY 85 MPH  
- MOVEMENT NORTH OR 5 DEGREES AT 14 MPH  
 
SITUATION OVERVIEW  
------------------  
 
HURRICANE IDALIA IS CONTINUING TO INTENSIFY AS IT MOVES NORTH AND  
EVENTUALLY NORTHEAST ACROSS THE EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO THROUGH  
WEDNESDAY. CATASTROPHIC STORM SURGE WILL ACCOMPANY THE STORM AS IT  
MAKES LANDFALL. 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 NORTHERN NATURE COAST COULD SEE  
CATASTROPHIC 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 10 TO 15 FEET ALONG THE LEVY COUNTY COASTLINE,  
8 TO 12 ACROSS THE CITRUS COUNTY COASTLINE, 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. IDALIA IS FORECAST TO INTENSIFY INTO A MAJOR  
HURRICANE. 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 CATASTROPHIC  
IMPACTS ACROSS LEVY COUNTY. 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.  
 
ALSO, PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE  
SIGNIFICANT TO DEVASTATING IMPACTS ACROSS THE REST OF NATURE COAST AND  
WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA.  
 
ALSO, PROTECT AGAINST LOCALLY HAZARDOUS SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED  
IMPACTS ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.  
 
* 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:  
LET OTHERS KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. SECURE LOOSE  
ITEMS AND PETS IN THE CAR, AND AVOID DISTRACTED DRIVING.  
 
IF EVACUATING, FOLLOW DESIGNATED EVACUATION ROUTES. SEEK TRAFFIC  
INFORMATION ON ROADWAY SIGNS, THE RADIO, AND FROM OFFICIAL SOURCES.  
 
DO NOT ENTER EVACUATED AREAS UNTIL OFFICIALS HAVE GIVEN THE ALL CLEAR  
TO RETURN.  
 
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:  
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.  
 
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.  
 
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMAIN CALM, INFORMED, AND FOCUSED DURING AN  
EMERGENCY. BE PATIENT AND HELPFUL WITH THOSE YOU ENCOUNTER.  
 
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.  
 
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 6PM EDT, OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS  
WARRANT.  
 

 
 
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