Action Recommended
Attend to information sources as described in the instructions
Issued By
Tampa Bay/Ruskin – FL, US, National Weather Service
Affected Area
Coastal Hillsborough County
Description
This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida
**FRED CONTINUES TO PRODUCE HEAVY RAINS ACROSS NORTHERN CUBA* NEW INFORMATION —————
CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: – None
CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: – A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Coastal Charlotte and Coastal Lee
STORM INFORMATION: – About 410 miles south-southeast of Mouth of Tampa Bay FL or about 330 miles south-southeast of Fort Myers FL – 22.3N 79.6W – Storm Intensity 35 mph – Movement West or 280 degrees at 12 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW ——————
Fred is currently located off the north coast of Cuba. Fred is expected to increase to Tropical Storm strength by early Saturday and continue tracking northwestward toward the Florida peninsula. As Fred moves northward just off the coast, the threat for tropical storm force winds near coastal areas, localized flooding, hazardous marine conditions, and perhaps tornadoes will all be possible.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS —————–
FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across West Central and Southwest Florida. Potential impacts include: – 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.
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across West Central and Southwest Florida.
WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across West Central and Southwest Florida. Potential impacts in this area include: – Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. – Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. – A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. – Scattered power and communications outages.
Elsewhere across West Central and Southwest Florida, little to no impact is anticipated.
TORNADOES: Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across West Central and Southwest Florida. Potential 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 boats pulled from moorings.
SURGE: Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across west coast of Florida. Potential impacts in this area include: – Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. – Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. – Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. – Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ———————————-
EVACUATIONS: WATCH/WARNING PHASE – Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately.
OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business.
When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm.
If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor drainage area, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground.
When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness activities to become unsafe.
Be sure to let friends and family members know of your intentions for weathering the storm and your whereabouts. Have someone located away from the threatened area serve as your point of contact. Share vital contact information with others. Keep cell phones handy and charged.
If you are a visitor, know the name of the county or parish in which you are located and where it is relative to current watches and warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially pertaining to area visitors.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast.
There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly.
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 11 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.
