Prepare and Stay
Aware!
TROPICAL DEPRESSION IDA UPDATE
Current Situation and Weather Update
Moderate to High Risk of Rip Currents at all Atlantic Coast Beaches Today...Pleasant Temperatures with Breezy Winds and Mostly Sunny Skies Expected Statewide Today...Tropical Storm Ida Strengthening in Northwestern Caribbean...All of Florida Lies Inside 5-day Error Cone
Updated 7:30 AM EDT SaturdayHigh pressure building along the Mid-Atlantic Coast and upper level high pressure moving east along the Gulf Coast will provide pleasant weather conditions across the state today. The only chance for some scattered showers will be near the Florida Keys. Severe weather is not expected. Breezy conditions are also expected today along the Florida Peninsula where east winds of 10-20mph are expected inland and up to 30mph over the waters and along the immediate coast. Winds could gusts to 30 or 35mph.
These strong onshore winds will continue a moderate risk of rip currents at Northeast and East Central Florida beaches today and a high risk for dangerous rip currents along the Southeast Florida coast. Minor beach erosion may also be possible, but no coastal flooding is expected. Swimming is not advised on beaches with a hig risk of rip currents.
After a cool start this morning, afternoon temperatures will warm up nicely into the mid 70s to low 80s statewide today. Overnight lows will be comfortable and near normal for this time of year, ranging from the 50s across North Florida to the low and mid 70s across South Florida.
At 7am EDT Saturday, Tropical Storm Ida was continuing northward in the northwestern Caribbean Sea with maximum sustained winds near 45mph. Additional strengthening is expected over the next few days, but Ida is forecast to remain a tropical storm. Ida is forecast to remain on a general north to north-northwest track through the Yucatan Channel this weekend and then move into the central Gulf of Mexico early next week. The storm is expected to take a hard right turn and move towards the Florida Gulf Coast on Wednesday as a cold front moves into the eastern Gulf of Mexico. However, cooler waters and harsh wind shear will be present ahead of this cold front, and Ida will likely weaken and loose tropical characteristics before it affects Florida at all.
There are currently no watches or warnings in effect for Florida, but the entire state lies within the 5 day error cone. As Ida becomes extratropical next week, a large and expanding wind field will likely bring gale force winds to portions of Florida on Tuesday. All of Florida has a 5%-20% chance of receiving tropical storm force winds by Thursday. All Florida residents need to watch this situation closely over the weekend. Click here for the latest tropical weather outlook from the National Hurricane Center.
| Short Term Forecast - Monroe, Middle Keys (Florida) Short Term Forecast Issued At: 2009-11-07T13:36:00 Expired At: 2009-11-07T14:45:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: |
| Short Term Forecast - Monroe, Lower Keys (Florida) Short Term Forecast Issued At: 2009-11-07T13:36:00 Expired At: 2009-11-07T14:45:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: |
| Coastal Flood Statement - FLZ168 (?) (Florida) COASTAL HAZARD MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-11-07T10:21:00 Expired At: 2009-11-10T12:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/newpage/index.html |
| Coastal Flood Statement - FLZ172 (?) (Florida) COASTAL HAZARD MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-11-07T10:21:00 Expired At: 2009-11-10T12:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/newpage/index.html |
| Coastal Flood Statement - FLZ173 (?) (Florida) COASTAL HAZARD MESSAGE Issued At: 2009-11-07T10:21:00 Expired At: 2009-11-10T12:00:00 Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/newpage/index.html |
National Weather Service
Tropical Depression Ida
Tropical Depression Ida is currently located near the Nicaragua / Honduras border. At 10 a.m. maximum winds were near 35 mph. Ida is moving toward the north at 7 mph. Ida is expected to restrengthen in the northwestern Caribbean Sea on Saturday.
There are currently no watches or warnings posted for Florida. Much of Florida lies within the 5-day error cone with a 5%-10% chance of receiving tropical storm force winds within 5 days. If the system and current forecast track holds, Ida could enter the Gulf of Mexico by Monday.
The State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee continues to monitor Ida through the State Watch Office and the Meteorology unit. The State EOC in Tallahassee remains at a Level 3, or monitoring status.
Tropical Depression Ida Release
High Risk Of Dangerous Rip Currents Expected Today Thru Friday For The First, Space And Treasure Coasts. Threat To Include South Florida Beaches By The Weekend
Florida Division of Emergency Management officials are urging beachgoers in Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties to use caution today thru Friday as a high risk of dangerous rip currents is expected along the First, Space and Treasure coasts. This threat is expected to extend to South Florida Atlantic beaches by the weekend. When red flags are flying beachgoers need to be aware that swimming in the Atlantic can be dangerous.
To learn about rip currents, visit www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov.
High Risks of Dangerous Rip Currents Throughout This Week
Install. Inspect. Protect. Smoke Alarms Save Lives.
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has launched an effort to encourage everyone to install and maintain home smoke alarms and, if possible, sprinklers. More than 3,000 people die in home fires each year, and the majority of them have no working smoke alarm. To prevent these deaths, the USFA is sponsoring the nationwide Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign, which emphasizes that “Smoke Alarms Save Lives.”
The USFA is promoting fire safety through a free Campaign Toolkit DVD; featuring English and Spanish educational materials; print, radio and television PSAs; children’s materials, a video demonstration of how quickly a home fire spreads, and on the USFA’s consumer-friendly Web site at www.usfa.dhs.gov/smokealarms.
The USFA offers a few helpful tips on smoke alarms and sprinklers:
- Place properly installed and maintained smoke alarms both inside and outside of sleeping areas and on every level of your home.
- Interconnected smoke alarms are best, because if one sounds, they all sound.
- The USFA recommends that every residence and place where people sleep be equipped with both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.
- Test smoke alarms monthly and change alkaline batteries at least once every year, or as instructed by the manufacturer. You can use a date you already know, like your birthday or when you change your clocks as a reminder.
- If possible, install residential fire sprinklers in your home.
- Avoid painting or covering the fire sprinkler, because that will affect the sensitivity to heat.
NOAA Weather Radio
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Disability Disaster Information For Floridians
A disaster can strike at any time - sometimes without warning. It is important for every Floridian, especially residents with disabilities and other special needs, to plan ahead for an emergency situation and know what to do in the event of an emergency.
The Division of Emergency Management offers information resources specifically tailored for people with disabilities/special needs and their families to help prepare for emergencies and disasters. The link below provide additional information on preparedness planning, evacuation and shelters, and links to county information on local special needs registration.
Visit Our Disability Disaster Information on Our Web
Governor Crist Urges Children, Students to Get a Plan
~ Visits Miami Elementary school to discuss disaster preparedness ~
Governor Charlie Crist today visited Toussaint L’ouverture Elementary School in Miami to encourage students to continue to remain informed about hurricane preparedness as the historic peak of Atlantic Hurricane Season has begun. Governor Crist also applauded Florida’s Emergency Management Program for receiving a full re-accreditation by the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), while joined by Florida Emergency Management Interim Director Ruben D. Almaguer, Education Commissioner Dr. Eric Smith and Miami-Dade County School Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho.
“When we educate young Floridians on how to be prepared during a disaster, they can help safety efforts,” said Governor Crist. “As tropical activity is likely to increase during this peak month of hurricane season, there is no better time to review and update disaster plans. We must remind Floridians that storms do not have to be hurricanes to be deadly or destructive. Visit KidsGetAPlan.com.
Children, Students to Get a Plan Release
Florida Emergency Management Launches New Blog And Twitter Feeds
Beginning September 14, Florida residents, visitors, emergency officials and news media outlets can now receive additional information reports from the Florida Division of Emergency Management and State Emergency Response Team via a new blog and Twitter accounts at http://flsertinfo.blogspot.com.
New Blog and Twitter Feeds Release
Information on the H1N1 Swine Flu
Please visit the Department of Health's H1N1 Swine Flu information page for the latest updates.
Florida Emergency Management Launches Daily Reports on YouTube
Beginning today residents and emergency officials can now receive daily situation reports produced by the Florida Division of Emergency Management online via the worldwide web service YouTube, keywords: “Florida SERT” available at http://www.youtube.com/FloridaSERT.
Read Full Article About Florida Emergency Management Videos on YouTube
Updated:
November 6, 2009 14:53
