- Ramrod Key, Niles Channel Bridge, FL
- Cudjoe Key, Cudjoe Bay, FL
- Middle Torch Key, Torch Ramrod Channel, FL
- Key Lois, southeast end, FL
- Little Torch Key, Torch Channel, FL
- Sugarloaf Key, Pirates Cove, FL
- Big Pine Key, Newfound Harbor Channel, FL
- Tarpon Creek, FL
- Big Pine Key, west side, Pine Channel, FL
- Knockemdown Key, north end, FL
Weather Alerts
Tropical Storm Warning issued October 9 at 11:05AM EDT by NWS Key West FL
* WHAT...Southeast to south winds 25 to 35 kt with gusts up to 45
kt, shifting to the southwest. Seas 7 to 13 ft in the Straits of
Florida and Hawk Channel.
* WHERE...Straits of Florida, Hawk Channel, Florida Bay and the
nearshore Gulf waters.
* WHEN...Tropical Storm force winds likely until early Thursday
morning.
* IMPACTS...A Tropical Storm Warning means that sustained winds
of 34 to 63 knots associated with a tropical storm are
expected within 36 hours.
Coastal Flood Warning issued October 9 at 12:53PM EDT until October 10 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Key West FL
* WHAT...Major saltwater flooding of 1 to 3 feet above ground
level, or mean higher high water, will be possible this
afternoon through Thursday morning, and likely into Thursday
afternoon and Thursday night on the Bayside of the Upper Keys.
Atlantic facing shorelines will continue to experience crashing
waves and overwash through today and into tonight, causing
saltwater flooding in the adjacent neighborhoods. The threat for
major saltwater flooding has remained steady since Monday
afternoon.
* WHERE...Florida Keys.
* WHEN...The highest threat for coastal flooding will be as winds
turn to the southwest and west, coincident with the overnight
high tide. The predicted times of high tide are after
midnight/early Thursday morning for the Lower Keys and during
the predawn hours Thursday morning for the Middle Keys. The
coastal flooding threat will linger through Thursday night for
the Bayside communities of the Upper Keys due to strong
southwest to west winds.
* IMPACTS...Numerous roads may be closed. Low lying property
including ground story homes, downstairs enclosures,
businesses, and some critical infrastructure will be
inundated. Some shoreline erosion will occur.
Tropical Cyclone Statement issued October 9 at 12:18PM EDT by NWS Key West FL
HLSKEY
This product covers the Florida Keys
**TROPICAL STORM FORCE WIND GUSTS ONGOING ACROSS THE FLORIDA KEYS**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Monroe Lower Keys,
Monroe Middle Keys, and Monroe Upper Keys
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 180 miles west-northwest of Key West FL
- 25.8N 84.3W
- Storm Intensity 145 mph
- Movement Northeast or 35 degrees at 17 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
As of 11 AM EDT, the eye of Hurricane Milton was located in the
southeastern Gulf of Mexico, about 180 miles west-northwest of Key
West, with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph. Milton is moving to the
northeast near 17 mph. A turn toward the east-northeast and east is
expected on Thursday and Friday. On the forecast track, the center of
Milton will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico today, make landfall
along the west-central coast of Florida tonight, and move off the east
coast of Florida over the western Atlantic Ocean on Thursday.
Thundery squalls with local wind gusts of 55 to 65 mph will be
possible throughout the Florida Keys today through Thursday morning,
as the core of Milton passes to our northwest over the eastern Gulf.
Multiple observation locations in Key West are gusting to 55 to 60 mph
during passing squalls. These squalls will also bring blinding
downpours and cause ponding in low-elevation areas and streets.
There is a little less than a one-in-five chance for sustained
tropical storm force winds of 40 to 50 mph from today through Thursday
morning, and a Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for all of the
Florida Keys. Outside of the squalls, the Keys will see sustained
winds of 25 to 30 mph with frequent gusts around 40 mph from now
through tonight and into Thursday morning.
Storm surge saltwater flooding of 1 to 3 feet above ground level, or
mean higher high water, will be possible from this afternoon through
Thursday morning, and likely into Thursday afternoon and Thursday
night on the Bayside of the Upper Keys. Additionally, Atlantic facing
shorelines will continue to experience crashing waves and overwash
through today and into tonight, leading to saltwater flooding in the
adjacent neighborhoods. A Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect for
all of the Florida Keys. The threat for coastal flooding has remained
steady from the previous advisory.
The potential for isolated tornadoes will continue across the Keys
today and tonight. A Tornado Watch remains in effect.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Protect against 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:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across the Florida Keys. 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 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:
Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across the Florida Keys. 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 small boats tossed about.
Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials. Refer to monroecountyem.com for
the latest information.
* 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 be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos.
If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the
safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For Monroe County Emergency Management Information, see
monroecountyem.com
- For Florida Division of Emergency Management information, see
floridadisaster.org
NEXT UPDATE
-----------
The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Key West FL around 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.
Tropical Storm Warning issued October 9 at 11:03AM EDT by NWS Key West FL
* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
- Key West
- Sugarloaf Key
- Big Pine Key
* WIND
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind
- Peak Wind Forecast: 20-30 mph with gusts to 35 mph
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 39
to 57 mph
- The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the
previous assessment.
- PLAN: Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm
force.
- PREPARE: Remaining efforts to protect property should be
completed as soon as possible. Prepare for limited wind
damage.
- ACT: Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited
- 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.
* STORM SURGE
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Localized storm surge possible
- Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for 1-3 feet
above ground somewhere within surge prone areas
- Window of concern: through Thursday afternoon
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for storm
surge flooding greater than 1 foot above ground
- The storm surge threat has remained nearly steady from the
previous assessment.
- PLAN: Shelter against storm surge flooding greater than 1
foot above ground.
- PREPARE: All flood preparations should be complete. Expect
flooding of low-lying roads and property.
- ACT: Stay away from storm surge prone areas. Continue to
follow the instructions of local officials.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Unfolding
- Potential impacts from the main surge event are unfolding.
* FLOODING RAIN
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
- Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional around 1 inch
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Little or no
potential for flooding rain
- The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from
the previous assessment.
- PLAN: There is little or no potential for flooding rain.
- PREPARE: Little to no preparations are needed to protect
against flooding rain at this time.
- ACT: Monitor for changes to the forecast.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None
- Little to no potential impacts from flooding rain.
* TORNADO
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Tornado Watch is in effect
- Situation is favorable for tornadoes
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for several
tornadoes
- The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the
previous assessment.
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for
several tornadoes with a few possibly intense having larger
damage paths.
- PREPARE: Those living in manufactured homes or on boats are
urged to relocate to safe shelter before hazardous weather
arrives.
- ACT: Listen for tornado watches and warnings. If a tornado
warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant
- 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 small boats tossed
about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.
* FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- Family emergency plans: Federal Emergency Management Agency
- http://ready.gov/
- Local weather conditions and forecasts: NOAA/Florida Keys National Weather Service
- http://www.weather.gov/key/