Text of Hurricane Warning for Lakeland from the National Weather Service

Hurricane Warning
Irma Local Watch/Warning Statement/Advisory Number 48
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL AL112017
1152 PM EDT Sun Sep 10 2017

FLZ052-111200-
/O.CON.KTBW.HU.W.1011.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/
Polk-
1152 PM EDT Sun Sep 10 2017

…HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT…

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
– Lakeland
– Winter Haven
– Bartow

* WIND
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Cat 1 Hurricane force wind
– Peak Wind Forecast: 60-80 mph with gusts to 100 mph
– Window for Tropical Storm force winds: until early this
afternoon
– Window for Hurricane force winds: until early this morning

– CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Extreme
– The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the
previous assessment.
– Remain braced against the reasonable threat for major
hurricane force wind greater than 110 mph of equivalent
Category 3 intensity or higher.
– To be safe, efforts should fully focus on protecting life.
Properties remain subject to devastating to catastrophic
wind impacts.
– Now is the time to urgently hide from the wind. Failure to
adequately shelter may result in serious injury, loss of
life, or immense human suffering. Remain sheltered until
the hazardous wind subsides. Be ready to quickly move to
the safest place within your shelter if extreme wind
warnings are issued.

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

* FLOODING RAIN
– LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flash Flood Watch is in effect
– Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 3-5 inches, with locally
higher amounts

– CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Extreme
– The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from
the previous assessment.
– Emergency considerations should include a threat of
flooding.
– Be safe and remain ready to protect against flooding rain
impacts.
– If flood related watches and warnings are in effect, heed
recommended actions.

– 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: Tornado Watch is in effect
– Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes

– CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Elevated
– The tornado threat has decreased from the previous
assessment.
– Emergency considerations should include a reasonable threat
for tornadoes.
– Be safe and remain ready to protect against tornado
impacts. Stay informed.
– Listen for tornado watches and warnings. If a tornado
approaches, quickly move to the safest place within your
shelter.

– POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited
– The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the
execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
– A few places may experience tornado damage, along with
power and communications disruptions.
– Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings,
chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or
overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off,
shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown
off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings.

* FOR MORE INFORMATION:
– http://www.weather.gov/tbw

$$