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Current Situation and Weather Update
Tropical Storm Bertha Moving Quickly Westward Through the Central Atlantic Ocean...Bertha Forecast to Gradually Strengthen as the Cyclone Moves Over Progressively Warmer Waters...Scattered Mainly Afternoon and Evening Thunderstorms To Continue Nearly Statewide through Early Next Week...Moderate Risk of Rip Currents Along Florida's Western Panhandle Beaches...
Updated 8:00 PM EDT SaturdayAt 5 PM Saturday, the center of Tropical Storm Bertha was located in the eastern Atlantic Ocean about midway between the African coastline and the Lesser Antilles. This position was approximately 1800 miles to the east of San Juan, Puerto Rico, or nearly 2750 miles to the east-southeast of Miami. Maximum sustained winds remain near 50 mph, and Bertha is moving briskly westward around 21 mph. Bertha will begin to move over progressively warmer waters during the early portions of next week, and thus the official forecast strengthens this cyclone to Category 1 hurricane status by Tuesday. A ridge of high pressure stretching across the central Atlantic Ocean is forecast to keep Bertha on a general west to west-northwest trajectory during the next 5 days. Long-term computer model guidance is not in agreement on the track and intensity of Bertha beyond 5 days, so all interests in the northern Lesser Antilles, Bermuda, and the Bahamas should continue to monitor future forecasts from the National Hurricane Center. It is too early to speculate on any potential impact to the United States from Tropical Storm Bertha.
An upper level circulation over the Florida peninsula is sparking scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms across south and southwest Florida this afternoon, including the Keys. Scattered late afternoon and evening thunderstorms are expected for interior sections of the Florida peninsula as sea breezes collide. Weak steering winds aloft will result in slow moving thunderstorms, with the main threats being frequent lightning strikes, localized flooding from slow moving downpours, gusty winds, and small hail. Activity may become numerous along the Atlantic coastal counties on Sunday as light southwest winds and increased moisture focus thunderstorms along the east coast sea breeze during the afternoon hours. Additionally, a weak tropical wave is expected to bring increasing amounts of tropical moisture to the Peninsula and Keys on Monday before a drying trend takes shape towards midweek. High temperatures on Sunday and Monday will range from the upper 80s to near 90, with lows in the 70s except low 80s in the Keys.
An upper level trough of low pressure residing over the southeastern United States will also keep scattered to numerous afternoon and evening thunderstorms in the forecast for north Florida into early next week. Coverage of thunderstorms is expected to be greatest on Sunday and Monday afternoons as this weather feature makes its closest approach and creates a more unstable air mass over the region. High temperatures will generally range from the upper 80s to the lower 90s during the next several days, with lows falling into the low 70s inland and the upper 70s at the beaches.
Onshore winds are producing a moderate risk for rip currents along the beaches of Florida's western panhandle counties. Please click here for your beach destination forecast from the National Weather Service.
For Watches, Warnings, and Advisories for your county, click here.
Active Alerts by County
National Weather Service
Florida To Provide Firefighting Assistance To California
Florida National Guard Firehawk helicopter and crews to help with Wildfires
The State of Florida is sending one Firehawk helicopter and two 4-person crews from the Florida National Guard (FLNG) to assist the State of California in fighting wildfires in Northern California. To date over 440,000 acres have burned across the Golden State. The Division of Emergency Management coordinates interstate assistance as part of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), which allows disaster-impacted states to request and receive assistance from other states quickly and efficiently.
"The EMAC process becomes a vital resource for large-scale and long term events,” said State Emergency Management Director Craig Fugate. "As local and regional resources are stretched thin by time, EMAC gives emergency managers and local responders the additional resources needed to meet the ongoing needs of the disaster."
Read Full California EMAC Release
Emergency Managers Urge Fireworks Safety This Fourth Of July
Florida Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Alex Sink today joined State Emergency Management officials in urging Floridians to observe fire safety rules and follow fireworks laws as they celebrate this Fourth of July.
"As we gather this Friday to celebrate America's Independence, I urge Floridians and visitors to take the proper fire safety precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones," said CFO Sink. "All fireworks can be dangerous, and that makes it all the more crucial the public utilize only state approved fireworks for their celebrations."
Read Full Fireworks Safety Release
Florida Division of Emergency Management Responds to Sunset Review
The 2006 Legislature enacted the Florida Government Accountability Act that established an agency sunset review process to be used by the Legislature to determine if a public need exists for the continuation of a state agency, its advisory committees, or its programs. The Florida Government Accountability Act provided for the creation of the Joint Sunset Committee to oversee the independent review process and make recommendations to abolish, continue, or reorganize the agency under review. The act requires reports and assistance from state agencies and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, creates a schedule to abolish state agencies and advisory committees, and sets criteria to be used in the sunset review process.
As part of the review process the Florida Division of Emergency Management prepared a Sunset Review Report. This report was submitted in accordance with s. 11.901-11.920, Florida Statutes otherwise known as the Florida Government Accountability Act.
Read Full Sunset Review Report
Florida Teams Sent To Iowa To Help Flood Survivors
The State of Florida has deployed 26 public health professionals from the Department of Health (DOH) to assist in emergency response and flood recovery efforts in Iowa. The interstate assistance is coordinated by the Division of Emergency Management as part of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), which allows disaster-impacted states to request and receive assistance from other states quickly and efficiently.
“Because disasters happen across state boundaries, the EMAC process allows all states to become a resource to their neighbor states during times of need,” said State Emergency Management Director Craig Fugate.
Florida’s Outdoor Advertisers And Emergency Managers To Use Electronic Billboards To Deliver Disaster Information
Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp, State emergency managers and the Florida Outdoor Advertising Association (FOAA) officials announced a new partnership to use electronic billboards to quickly post disaster information along Florida roadways. Under the partnership, state emergency managers will be able to communicate with Floridians through the FOAA’s member network, which operates more than 50 digital billboards across the state.
Read Full Release Outdoor Advertisers
Personal Health Records - Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
You can find information to help you compare hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, health plans, nursing homes, and prescription drugs. The website also lists Florida health care facilities; information on health insurance; medical care resources for the uninsured; resources for seniors; and much more.
Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
Compliance with the American Disabilities Act During Emergencies
As a reminder, local governments as well as the State must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act with regard to public accommodation. Please review the attached memorandum and the Florida ADA Emergency Shelter Checklist to assist you in the preparation for the 2008 hurricane season. If you have any questions, please contact Chip Wilson, Statewide Disability Coordinator at 850.413.9892.
Memorandum (PDF) | Emergency Shelter Checklist (PDF)
2008 Hurricane Season Forecast- It only takes one
With the start of the 2008 hurricane just around the corner, Dr. William Gray’s recent forecast of an “above average” season should serve as a wake-up call for Floridians to ‘Get A Plan’ and be prepared for any disaster.
While much is written and said in the media about what 15 tropical storms and 8 hurricanes may mean for Florida, the reality for Sunshine State residents is it only takes one storm hitting your community, home, or business for it to be an “above average” season.
Read the Full Press Release About Dr Gray's Forecast (PDF)
Watch Craig's Corner Video About Hurricane Season Forecasts.
New Website for Community Emergency Response Teams
Florida Division of Emergency Management Unveils New Website for Community Emergency Response Teams
April is Florida Volunteer month and in the spirit of encouraging volunteerism throughout the state, the Florida Division of Emergency Management has brought online a new website, www.floridadisaster.org/CitizenCorps, to provide information on Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and the Citizen Corps.
"During a disaster, volunteer aid plays a huge role in helping local communities to recover," said Craig Fugate, Director of the Division of Emergency Management.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management supports the Community Emergency Response Team program which trains residents to be prepared for emergency situations in their communities and neighborhoods. Local CERT teams receive training in disaster preparedness, disaster fire safety, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, terrorism, communications, disaster psychology and team organization. CERT teams provide immediate assistance to victims, collect disaster information to support first responder efforts and provide the first neighborhood help in the immediate hours following a major emergency.
Read Full Release Regarding the CitizenCorps (PDF)
GET A PLAN!
Get a Plan
In any major disaster, emergency workers may not be able to reach everyone right away. What would you do if you had no electricity, no gas, no water and no telephone service? Having a plan for your family and their needs will help ensure their safety and comfort during these difficult times. A well thought-out plan of action for you and your family can go a long way toward reducing the damage from tornados, wildfires, severe thunderstorms and flooding that could strike the state of Florida.
Get Your Family Plan Today! | Get Your Business Plan Today!
Know Your Hazards
Tornados |
Thunderstorms and Lightning |
Updated:
July 3, 2008 16:29
