811  
WTUS82 KTBW 091823  
HLSTBW  
FLZ043-050-052-056-057-061-139-142-148-149-151-155-160-162-165-239-242-248-249-251-255-260-262-265-100230-  
 
HURRICANE MILTON LOCAL STATEMENT INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 18A  
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAMPA BAY RUSKIN FL AL142024  
223 PM EDT WED OCT 9 2024  
 
THIS PRODUCT COVERS WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA  
 
**MAJOR HURRICANE MILTON CONTINUES TO APPROACH THE WEST COAST OF FLORIDA AND  
EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL TONIGHT **  
 
NEW INFORMATION  
---------------  
 
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:  
- NONE  
 
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:  
- A STORM SURGE WARNING AND HURRICANE WARNING ARE IN EFFECT FOR  
COASTAL CHARLOTTE, COASTAL CITRUS, COASTAL HERNANDO, COASTAL  
HILLSBOROUGH, COASTAL LEE, COASTAL MANATEE, COASTAL PASCO,  
COASTAL SARASOTA, INLAND LEE, AND PINELLAS  
- A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR COASTAL LEVY, DESOTO,  
HARDEE, HIGHLANDS, INLAND CHARLOTTE, INLAND CITRUS, INLAND  
HERNANDO, INLAND HILLSBOROUGH, INLAND LEVY, INLAND MANATEE,  
INLAND PASCO, INLAND SARASOTA, POLK, AND SUMTER  
 
* STORM INFORMATION:  
- ABOUT 120 MILES SOUTHWEST OF MOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FL  
- 26.3N 84.0W  
- STORM INTENSITY 130 MPH  
- MOVEMENT NORTH-NORTHEAST OR 30 DEGREES AT 16 MPH  
 
SITUATION OVERVIEW  
------------------  
 
MILTON REMAINS A POWERFUL AND VERY DANGEROUS MAJOR HURRICANE MOVING  
NORTHEAST INTO THE EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO THIS MORNING, AND WILL BRING  
DEVASTATING TO LIFE-THREATENING IMPACTS ACROSS PARTS OF WEST CENTRAL  
AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BEGINNING LATER TODAY AND CONTINUING THROUGH  
EARLY THURSDAY. EXTREMELY LIFE-THREATENING, CATASTROPHIC STORM SURGE  
IMPACTS ARE EXPECTED ALONG THE COAST WITH DESTRUCTIVE WINDS EXTENDING  
FROM THE COAST TO INLAND LOCATIONS ALONG WITH HEAVY RAINFALL WITH  
POSSIBLE FLASH FLOODING ALONG WITH THE THREAT OF TORNADOES.  
 
* STORM SURGE - LIFE THREATENING STORM SURGE IS EXPECTED WEDNESDAY  
INTO THURSDAY. POTENTIAL PEAK SURGE AMOUNTS ARE 9 TO 13 FEET FROM ANNA  
MARIE ISLAND TO BOCA GRANDE, 8 TO 12 FEET FROM THE ANCLOTE RIVER TO ANNA  
MARIE ISLAND INCLUDING TAMPA BAY, 8 TO 12 FEET FROM BOCA GRANDE TO BONITA  
BEACH INCLUDING CHARLOTTE HARBOR, 4 TO 7 FEET FROM THE ANCLOTE RIVER TO  
ARIPEKA, AND 2 TO 4 FEET FROM ARIPEKA TO YANKEETOWN.  
 
* RAIN - FLOODING RAIN THREAT WILL RUN FROM WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY  
WITH RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 5 TO 12 INCHES WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS UP  
TO 18 INCHES POSSIBLE.  
 
* WIND - HURRICANE AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS WILL BE POSSIBLE  
BEGINNING ON WEDNESDAY WITH THE HIGHEST PROBABILITIES ALONG THE COAST.  
 
* TORNADOES - ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY  
ACROSS THE AREA.  
 
POTENTIAL IMPACTS  
-----------------  
 
* SURGE:  
POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM THE MAIN SURGE EVENT ARE NOW UNFOLDING ACROSS  
WEST-CENTRAL FLORIDA, AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. REMAIN WELL AWAY FROM  
LIFE-THREATENING SURGE THAT CAN HAVE CATASTROPHIC IMPACTS. IF REALIZED, THESE  
IMPACTS 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.  
 
ELSEWHERE ACROSS WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, LITTLE TO NO  
IMPACT IS ANTICIPATED.  
 
* WIND:  
POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM THE MAIN WIND EVENT ARE NOW UNFOLDING ACROSS  
NATURE COAST, WEST-CENTRAL FLORIDA, AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.. REMAIN  
WELL SHELTERED FROM LIFE-THREATENING WIND THAT COULD HAVE DEVASTATING  
IMPACTS. IF REALIZED, THESE IMPACTS 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:  
POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM THE FLOODING RAIN ARE STILL UNFOLDING ACROSS  
NATURE COAST, WEST-CENTRAL FLORIDA, AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. REMAIN  
WELL GUARDED AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING FLOOD WATERS HAVING POSSIBLE  
DEVASTATING IMPACTS. IF REALIZED, THESE IMPACTS INCLUDE:  
- EXTREME RAINFALL FLOODING MAY PROMPT NUMEROUS EVACUATIONS AND  
RESCUES.  
- RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES MAY OVERWHELMINGLY OVERFLOW THEIR BANKS  
IN MANY PLACES WITH DEEP MOVING WATER. SMALL STREAMS, CREEKS,  
CANALS, AND DITCHES MAY BECOME RAGING RIVERS. FLOOD CONTROL  
SYSTEMS AND BARRIERS MAY BECOME STRESSED.  
- FLOOD WATERS CAN ENTER NUMEROUS STRUCTURES WITHIN MULTIPLE  
COMMUNITIES, SOME STRUCTURES BECOMING UNINHABITABLE OR WASHED  
AWAY. NUMEROUS PLACES WHERE FLOOD WATERS MAY COVER ESCAPE  
ROUTES. STREETS AND PARKING LOTS BECOME RIVERS OF RAGING WATER  
WITH UNDERPASSES SUBMERGED. DRIVING CONDITIONS BECOME VERY  
DANGEROUS. NUMEROUS ROAD AND BRIDGE CLOSURES WITH SOME WEAKENED  
OR WASHED OUT.  
 
POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM THE FLOODING RAIN ARE STILL UNFOLDING ACROSS  
NATURE COAST, WEST-CENTRAL FLORIDA, AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. REMAIN WELL  
GUARDED AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING FLOOD WATERS HAVING  
SIGNIFICANT TO EXTENSIVE IMPACTS.  
 
* TORNADOES:  
POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM TORNADOES ARE STILL UNFOLDING ACROSS WEST-CENTRAL FLORIDA,  
AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. REMAIN WELL BRACED AGAINST A PARTICULARLY  
DANGEROUS TORNADO EVENT HAVING POSSIBLE EXTENSIVE IMPACTS. IF REALIZED,  
THESE IMPACTS INCLUDE:  
- THE OCCURRENCE OF NUMEROUS TORNADOES CAN GREATLY HINDER THE  
EXECUTION OF EMERGENCY PLANS DURING TROPICAL EVENTS.  
- MANY PLACES MAY EXPERIENCE TORNADO DAMAGE WITH A FEW SPOTS OF  
IMMENSE DESTRUCTION, POWER LOSS, AND COMMUNICATIONS FAILURES.  
- LOCATIONS COULD REALIZE ROOF AND WALL FAILURES OF STURDY  
BUILDINGS WITH SOME BEING LEVELED, STRUCTURES UPON WEAK  
FOUNDATIONS BLOWN AWAY, MOBILE HOMES OBLITERATED, LARGE TREES  
TWISTED AND SNAPPED WITH FORESTED TREES UPROOTED, VEHICLES  
LIFTED OFF THE GROUND AND THROWN, AND BOATS DESTROYED. LARGE  
AND DEADLY PROJECTILES CAN ADD TO THE TOLL.  
 
POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM TORNADOES ARE STILL UNFOLDING ACROSS WEST-CENTRAL FLORIDA,  
AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.. REMAIN WELL BRACED AGAINST A DANGEROUS TORNADO  
EVENT HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED TO SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS.  
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS  
----------------------------------  
 
* EVACUATIONS:  
FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF LOCAL OFFICIALS.  
 
* 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.  
 
DO NOT VENTURE OUTSIDE WHILE IN THE EYE OF A HURRICANE AS ANY  
IMPROVEMENT IN WEATHER WILL ONLY BE TEMPORARY. ONCE THE EYE PASSES,  
CONDITIONS WILL BECOME LIFE THREATENING AS WINDS IMMEDIATELY RETURN  
TO DANGEROUS SPEEDS, SO REMAIN SAFELY SHELTERED FROM THE STORM.  
 
DO NOT BE A THRILL SEEKER OR RISK YOUR LIFE FOR SENSELESS PHOTOS OR  
VIDEOS.  
 
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 YOU ARE PRONE TO FLOODING OR IN AN AREA UNDER A STORM SURGE WATCH  
OR WARNING, BE PREPARED FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF A QUICK AND DRAMATIC  
RISE IN WATER LEVELS.  
 
IF A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA, QUICKLY MOVE TO THE  
SAFEST PLACE WITHIN YOUR SHELTER. PROTECT YOUR HEAD AND BODY.  
 
IF AN EXTREME WIND WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA, MOVE TO THE  
SAFEST PLACE WITHIN YOUR SHELTER. TAKE THE SAME LIFE-SAVING ACTIONS  
AS IF IT WERE A VIOLENT TORNADO.  
 
* 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, OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS  
WARRANT.  
 

 
 
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