Hurricane conditions are continuing across portions of the southern Florida peninsula. Winds affecting the upper floors of high-rise buildings will be significantly stronger than those near ground level. Tropical storm and hurricane conditions are expected to spread northward across the remainder of the warning areas through Monday. Tropical storm conditions are expected in portions of the warning area in the Northwestern Bahamas this evening.
RAINFALL: Irma is expected to produce the following rain accumulations through Wednesday:
- Western Bahamas...Additional 2 to 4 inches, isolated 6 inches.
- The Florida Keys...Additional 3 to 6 inches with storm total amounts
- from 15 to 20 inches, isolated 25 inches.
- Western Florida peninsula...10 to 15 inches, isolated 20 inches.
- Eastern Florida peninsula and southeast Georgia...8 to 12 inches,
- isolated 16 inches.
TORNADOES: Tornadoes remain possible through tonight, mainly across
central and eastern portions of the Florida Peninsula and extreme
southeast Georgia.
THE EYE: Do not venture outside when the calm eye of the hurricane
passes over, as dangerous winds will return very quickly when the
eye moves away.
SURF: Swells generated by Irma are affecting the southeast coast of
the United States. These swells are likely to cause life-
threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult
products from your local weather office.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the
tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by
rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water is
expected to reach the following HEIGHTS ABOVE GROUND if the peak
surge occurs at the time of high tide...
- Cape Sable to Captiva...10 to 15 ft
- Captiva to Ana Maria Island...6 to 10 ft
- Card Sound Bridge through Cape Sable, including the Florida Keys...
- 5 to 10 ft
- Anna Maria Island to Clearwater Beach, including Tampa Bay...
- 5 to 8 ft
- North Miami Beach to Card Sound Bridge, including Biscayne Bay...
- 3 to 5 ft
- South Santee River to Fernandina Beach...4 to 6 ft
- Clearwater Beach to Ochlockonee River...4 to 6 ft
- Fernandina Beach to Jupiter Inlet...3 to 5 ft
- North of North Miami Beach to Jupiter Inlet...1 to 2 ft
The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast in areas of
onshore winds, where the surge will be accompanied by large and
destructive waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative
timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over
short distances. For information specific to your area, please see
products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast
office.