Tampa, FL Weather Alerts

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Pinellas, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee,
Coastal Sarasota, Coastal Charlotte and Coastal Lee Counties.

* WHEN...Through Saturday morning.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
from shore into deeper water.

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Pinellas, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee,
Coastal Sarasota, Coastal Charlotte and Coastal Lee Counties.

* WHEN...Through Friday morning.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
from shore into deeper water.

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Pinellas, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee,
Coastal Sarasota, Coastal Charlotte and Coastal Lee Counties.

* WHEN...Through Friday morning.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
from shore into deeper water.

HLSTBW

This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida

**LINGERING HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS TO IMPROVE LATER TODAY AS MILTON MOVES
AWAY FROM THE AREA**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- The Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning have been
cancelled for Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, Coastal
Pasco, and Pinellas
- The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled for Coastal Charlotte,
Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Lee, Coastal Levy,
Coastal Sarasota, DeSoto, Hardee, Inland Charlotte, Inland
Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Lee,
Inland Levy, Inland Manatee, Inland Pasco, and Inland Sarasota

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Coastal Charlotte,
Coastal Lee, Coastal Sarasota, and Inland Lee
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Highlands, Polk, and Sumter

* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 150 miles east-northeast of Mouth of Tampa Bay FL
- 28.5N 80.5W
- Storm Intensity 85 mph
- Movement Northeast or 55 degrees at 18 mph

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

Milton remains a minimal hurricane early this morning while moving
across the eastern Florida peninsula. Lingering but diminishing threat
from flash flooding and wind impacts will continue through this
morning mainly over our interior counties before improving as Milton
continues moving away from the peninsula and into the western Atlantic.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain continue across parts of the
Nature Coast and West-Central Florida. Remain well guarded against
life-threatening flood waters having 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.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event continue across parts of the
Nature Coast and West-Central Florida. Remain well sheltered from
life-threatening wind having extensive impacts. If realized, these
impacts include:
- Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.
Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be
uninhabitable for weeks.
- Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
roadway signs blown over.
- Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and
access routes impassable.
- Large areas with power and communications outages.

* SURGE:
Impacts from the main surge event continue across Southwest Florida.
Remain well away from life-threatening surge. If realized, these
impacts include:
- Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
- Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
spots.
- Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
numerous rip currents.
- Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
unprotected anchorages.

* TORNADOES:
Little to no additional impacts are anticipated at this time across
West Central and Southwest Florida.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
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 as any improvement in weather will only be
temporary until the storm moves completely out of the area, so remain
safely sheltered from the storm.

Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos.

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.

* 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 AM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

The Flood Watch has been cancelled and is no longer in effect.

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Pinellas, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee,
Coastal Sarasota, Coastal Charlotte and Coastal Lee Counties.

* WHEN...Through Friday morning.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
from shore into deeper water.

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Pinellas, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee,
Coastal Sarasota, Coastal Charlotte and Coastal Lee Counties.

* WHEN...Through Friday morning.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
from shore into deeper water.

HLSTBW

This product covers West Central and Southwest Florida

**HURRICANE MILTON QUICKLY PUSHING OFF THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA LEAVING
BEHIND A PATH OF DESTRUCTION ACROSS THE AREA**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- All watches and warnings have been canceled

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None

* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 220 miles east-northeast of Mouth of Tampa Bay FL or
about 210 miles east-northeast of Sarasota FL
- 28.9N 79.5W
- Storm Intensity 85 mph
- Movement East-northeast or 60 degrees at 18 mph

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

Milton remains a minimal hurricane this morning while moving
off the east coast of the Florida peninsula. Threats are now gone but
we urge you to listen to county officials before traveling as it could
be dangerous with hazardous road conditions.



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

* SURGE:
Little to no additional surge impacts expected.

- Community officials are now assessing the extent of actual
surge impacts accordingly.
- Emergency response teams are attending to casualty situations
as needed.
- Emergency work crews are restoring essential community
infrastructure as necessary.
- If you have an emergency dial 9 1 1.


Elsewhere across West Central and Southwest Florida, little to no
impact is anticipated.

* WIND:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time
across West Central and Southwest Florida.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time
across West Central and Southwest Florida.

* TORNADOES:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time
across West Central and Southwest Florida.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

If your home or shelter was damaged, be alert to the smell of gas
leaks and be cautious around electrical wiring, broken glass, jagged
metal and wood, and protruding nails and screws.

Check to see if everyone in your group is OK. Administer first aid to
those who are injured. If possible, call 9 1 1 for any serious
injuries. Remember, it may be difficult for emergency responders to
arrive quickly.

Check in with your emergency points of contact. Let them know your
location and status. Keep conversations short and to the point. Do
not tie up communications systems.

Check on your neighbors. If necessary, help them connect with their
points of contact.

Do not attempt to return to evacuated areas until local authorities
have inspected roads and bridges and have given the all clear.
Hazards like downed power lines and trees, washed out roads,
continued flooding in low lying areas and non-functioning traffic
lights make travel difficult.

Allow extra time for emergency vehicles to reach you as they navigate
road hazards.

Do not attempt to return to evacuated areas until local authorities
give the all clear. Allow time for officials to inspect bridges and
overpasses and to mark washed-out roads.


Do not go sightseeing within impacted communities. Sightseers
interfere with the emergency work of first responders.


Do not go up on your roof until the weather conditions are safe.
Ladders can be slippery in the rain and unexpected wind gusts can
blow you off the roof.

When clearing out fallen trees, be careful with chainsaws and axes.
Always wear protective gear and keep others at a safe distance.
Leaning trees and those which have fallen on roofs or power lines can
be especially dangerous. If you are not in good health or unsure
about what you are doing, have someone with tree cutting experience
do the job. Never cut trees without a partner.

If using a generator, avoid carbon monoxide poisoning by following
instructions provided by the manufacturer. Operate your generator in
a well-ventilated space outside of your living area and away from
open doors and windows.

Problems with sewer backups can further contaminate standing flood
waters. Keep children away from flood waters. Also, listen for boil
water alerts as tap water may have become non-potable.


Be alert for potential flooding from rising rivers and streams which
may have yet to crest. Remain informed of the latest river forecasts
and heed any flood watches and warnings.

Be alert for flooded roads which could be compromised or littered
with debris. Avoid travel until water levels subside and roads have
been cleared. Do not drive through places where flood waters cover
the road. Turn around, don't drown!



* 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
-----------

As it pertains to this event...this will be the last local statement
issued by the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
regarding the effects of tropical cyclone hazards upon the area.

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
- Tampa
- Apollo Beach
- Westchase

* WIND
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Strong Tropical Storm force
wind
- Peak Wind Forecast: 45-60 mph with gusts to 80 mph
- Window for Tropical Storm force winds: until early Thursday
morning

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 74
to 110 mph
- The wind threat has decreased from the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Plan for life-threatening wind of equivalent CAT 1 or
2 hurricane force.
- PREPARE: Last minute efforts should solely focus on
protecting life. The area remains subject to considerable
wind damage.
- ACT: Now is the time to shelter from life-threatening wind.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Unfolding
- Potential impacts from the main wind event are unfolding.

* STORM SURGE
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Life-threatening storm surge possible
- Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for 3-5 feet
above ground somewhere within surge prone areas
- Window of concern: through Thursday evening

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for storm
surge flooding greater than 3 feet above ground
- The storm surge threat has decreased from the previous
assessment.
- PLAN: Shelter against life-threatening storm surge of
greater than 3 feet above ground.
- PREPARE: Flood preparations and ordered evacuations should
be complete. Evacuees should be in shelters well away from
storm surge flooding.
- ACT: Remain sheltered in a safe location. Do not venture
outside.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Unfolding
- Potential impacts from the main surge event are unfolding.

* FLOODING RAIN
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flood Watch is in effect
- Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 3-6 inches, with locally
higher amounts

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for extreme
flooding rain
- The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from
the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for
extreme flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues
are likely.
- PREPARE: Urgently consider protective actions from extreme
and widespread rainfall flooding.
- ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take
action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Devastating to Catastrophic
- 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.

* TORNADO
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
- Situation is unfavorable for tornadoes

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Tornadoes not expected
- The tornado threat has decreased from the previous
assessment.
- PLAN: Tornadoes are not expected. Showers and thunderstorms
with gusty winds may still occur.
- PREPARE: Little to no preparations needed to protect
against tornadoes at this time. Keep informed of the latest
tornado situation.
- ACT: Listen for changes in the forecast.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None
- Little to no potential impacts from tornadoes.

* FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- https://www.weather.gov/tbw

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
- Tampa
- Apollo Beach
- Westchase

* WIND
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Strong Tropical Storm force
wind
- Peak Wind Forecast: 45-60 mph with gusts to 80 mph
- Window for Tropical Storm force winds: until early Thursday
morning

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 74
to 110 mph
- The wind threat has decreased from the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Plan for life-threatening wind of equivalent CAT 1 or
2 hurricane force.
- PREPARE: Last minute efforts should solely focus on
protecting life. The area remains subject to considerable
wind damage.
- ACT: Now is the time to shelter from life-threatening wind.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Unfolding
- Potential impacts from the main wind event are unfolding.

* STORM SURGE
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Life-threatening storm surge possible
- Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for 3-5 feet
above ground somewhere within surge prone areas
- Window of concern: through Thursday evening

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for storm
surge flooding greater than 3 feet above ground
- The storm surge threat has decreased from the previous
assessment.
- PLAN: Shelter against life-threatening storm surge of
greater than 3 feet above ground.
- PREPARE: Flood preparations and ordered evacuations should
be complete. Evacuees should be in shelters well away from
storm surge flooding.
- ACT: Remain sheltered in a safe location. Do not venture
outside.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Unfolding
- Potential impacts from the main surge event are unfolding.

* FLOODING RAIN
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flood Watch is in effect
- Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 3-6 inches, with locally
higher amounts

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for extreme
flooding rain
- The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from
the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for
extreme flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues
are likely.
- PREPARE: Urgently consider protective actions from extreme
and widespread rainfall flooding.
- ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take
action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Devastating to Catastrophic
- 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.

* TORNADO
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
- Situation is unfavorable for tornadoes

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Tornadoes not expected
- The tornado threat has decreased from the previous
assessment.
- PLAN: Tornadoes are not expected. Showers and thunderstorms
with gusty winds may still occur.
- PREPARE: Little to no preparations needed to protect
against tornadoes at this time. Keep informed of the latest
tornado situation.
- ACT: Listen for changes in the forecast.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None
- Little to no potential impacts from tornadoes.

* FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- https://www.weather.gov/tbw