**TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR LOWER AND MIDDLE KEYS** NHC

 

 

FLZ076>078-240600-

Tropical Storm Laura Local Statement Advisory Number 16
National Weather Service Key West FL AL132020
551 PM EDT Sun Aug 23 2020

This product covers the Florida Keys

**TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR LOWER AND MIDDLE KEYS**


NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- The Tropical Storm Watch has been cancelled for Monroe Upper
Keys

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Monroe Lower Keys and
Monroe Middle Keys

* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 540 miles southeast of Key West FL or about 520 miles
southeast of Marathon FL
- 19.5N 75.2W
- Storm Intensity 60 mph
- Movement West-northwest or 285 degrees at 21 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

At 500 PM EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Laura was located about 50
miles south of Guantanamo, Cuba, or about 540 miles southeast of Key
West. Laura was moving to the west-northwest at 21 mph. On the forecast
track, the center of Laura will move near the southern coast along the
length of eastern and central Cuba through Monday. The center will
emerge over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Monday night north of
western Cuba, passing well south of the Dry Tortugas. Once Laura
emerges over the southeast Gulf, intensification is expected.

The northern extent of sustained tropical storm force winds may affect
the Lower and Middle Florida Keys from late Monday morning through
Monday evening. Therefore, preparations for Laura should be finished
by sunrise on Monday morning.

In addition to tropical storm force winds, the other concerns will be
minor coastal flooding and isolated tornadoes.

Strong winds will contribute to minor coastal flooding and overwash
along oceanside shorelines. Tidal anomalies are currently running up
to three-quarters of a foot above normal. Laura could bring in one
foot or more of additional saltwater flooding, especially along south
and east facing shorelines and canals. The period of concern will be
with the high tides on Monday afternoon and late Monday night.

Isolated tornadoes will be possible on Monday and Monday night,
particularly during the time when the Keys come under the favored
northeast quadrant of the tropical storm.

Heavy rain will mainly be a concern if it coincides with abnormally
high tides.

The Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for the Lower and Middle
Florida Keys. Enough southward adjustment has occurred with the
forecast track of Laura to cancel the Tropical Storm Watch for the
Upper Keys. Nonetheless, the Upper Keys should expect a windy day with
multiple rounds of thundery squalls producing wind gusts exceeding
tropical-storm force.

Monroe County Emergency Management currently has no evacuation orders
in effect for the Keys.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across the
Florida Keys. Potential impacts 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.

* SURGE:
Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
across the Lower and Middle Florida Keys. Potential impacts in this
area include:
- Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots.
- Sections of roads and parking lots inundated by surge water.
Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers
the road.
- Moderate beach erosion.
- Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
the Florida Keys. Potential impacts include:
- 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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across the Florida Keys. Potential impacts include:
- Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in the most
vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water
occurs at low-lying spots and poor drainage areas. Several storm
drains full and begin to overflow. Some brief road closures.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
Monroe County Emergency Management currently has no evacuation orders
in effect.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind
gusts, coastal flooding, and tornadoes extend well away from the
center of the storm.

When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded
by sunrise on Monday morning before conditions deteriorate. The onset
of strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness
activities to become unsafe.

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 additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
- For Florida Division of Emergency Management information, see
floridadisaster.org
- For Monroe County Emergency Management Information, see
monroecountyem.com/782/Emergency-Management
- For Monroe County EM Hurricane Preparedness Information, see
monroecountyem.com/1214/Hurricane-Preparedness
- For Monroe County EM Evacuation Information, see
monroecountyem.com/897/Evacuation-information
- For Monroe County shelter information, see
monroecountyem.com/992/Shelters

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Key West FL around 12 Midnight, or sooner if conditions
warrant.