Isaac could spawn tornadoes in Central Florida
Isaac could spawn tornadoes in Central Florida
Heavy downpours, dangerous winds and isolated tornadoes are in the forecast for Central Florida today and Monday as Isaac continues to threaten Florida.
Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency Saturday as Tropical Storm Isaac marched toward the state, prompting a hurricane watch for South Florida.
Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency Saturday as Tropical Storm Isaac marched toward the state, prompting a hurricane watch for South Florida.
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A tropical-storm warning was issued for Central Florida as Isaac threatened to batter Metro Orlando with wind gusts of up to 50 mph, dump up to 6 inches of rain and produce dangerous rotating storms.
"The main thing is people need to pay attention to the weather and the forecast," said meteorologist Amanda Bowen at the National Weather Service in Melbourne. "Even though the hurricane is not making landfall here, it still could be a high-impact event between the rain, tornadoes and tropical-force winds."
Early today, Isaac was in the Atlantic, hugging the north coast of Cuba, moving northwest at 17 mph with sustained winds of 60 mph. It was about 340 miles southeast of Key West; its tropical-force winds extended 205 miles from its center.
Central Florida's emergency-management teams have been watching closely and preparing all week, cutting down trees, draining local lakes, filling sand bags and stocking up on fuel in case of disaster.
Seminole County Emergency Manager Alan Harris said he had planned to go to Tampa to help with efforts there but he canceled the trip after seeing the latest projections.
Those are "saying we will have tropical-force winds here, that means power outages. We have to make sure we are monitoring that," he said.
Bowen said Central Florida is at a high risk for isolated tornadoes but these will be nothing like the typical summertime funnel clouds from afternoon thunderstorms.
"The tornadoes within tropical rain bands can have a longer track on the ground and are stronger," said NWS Melbourne meteorologist Scott Kelly.
With the region positioned in the northeastern quadrant of the storm — the location where conditions for tornadoes are most favorable — forecasters say they will likely issue tornado watches beginning this afternoon.
In South Florida, Broward and Palm Beach counties could be hit by a full-blown tropical storm, capable of knocking down trees and power lines and causing flooding.
"The main thing is people need to pay attention to the weather and the forecast," said meteorologist Amanda Bowen at the National Weather Service in Melbourne. "Even though the hurricane is not making landfall here, it still could be a high-impact event between the rain, tornadoes and tropical-force winds."
Early today, Isaac was in the Atlantic, hugging the north coast of Cuba, moving northwest at 17 mph with sustained winds of 60 mph. It was about 340 miles southeast of Key West; its tropical-force winds extended 205 miles from its center.
Central Florida's emergency-management teams have been watching closely and preparing all week, cutting down trees, draining local lakes, filling sand bags and stocking up on fuel in case of disaster.
Seminole County Emergency Manager Alan Harris said he had planned to go to Tampa to help with efforts there but he canceled the trip after seeing the latest projections.
Those are "saying we will have tropical-force winds here, that means power outages. We have to make sure we are monitoring that," he said.
Bowen said Central Florida is at a high risk for isolated tornadoes but these will be nothing like the typical summertime funnel clouds from afternoon thunderstorms.
"The tornadoes within tropical rain bands can have a longer track on the ground and are stronger," said NWS Melbourne meteorologist Scott Kelly.
With the region positioned in the northeastern quadrant of the storm — the location where conditions for tornadoes are most favorable — forecasters say they will likely issue tornado watches beginning this afternoon.
In South Florida, Broward and Palm Beach counties could be hit by a full-blown tropical storm, capable of knocking down trees and power lines and causing flooding.
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Under the latest forecast, Isaac would approach the Keys this afternoon as a minimal hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph.
In Broward and Palm Beach counties, the system is forecast to generate 35 to 45 mph winds with gusts up to 60 mph. Coastal areas and Miami-Dade County can expect the winds to be 5 to 10 mph stronger.
In Orange County, officials alerted local hotels to report vacancies for possible evacuees from the Tampa and Gulf Coast areas of Florida.
The storm is expected to rage until late Monday morning and produce a total of 4 to 6 inches of rain in Central Florida, forecasters said. Winds could knock out power lines and cause structural damage to buildings.
Flooding is possible across the region, particularly in low-lying areas susceptible to standing water.
On Saturday, no decisions were made to close schools in Central Florida. But those conversations are ongoing and it's possible closures could be announced today.
Many local schools are also used as shelters during emergencies, said Orange County assistant emergency manager Ron Plummer.
Osceola County's citizen-information hotline will go live today for residents, said emergency management specialist Daniel Tohorton.
In Volusia County, officials are warning residents to tie down any loose objects, including lawn furniture and garbage cans, that could be tossed about by blustery winds.
Utility crews are in position to respond to power emergencies in each county.
The Florida Highway Patrol is also warning drivers to stay put as the storms blow through and avoid driving on slick roads unless absolutely necessary.
Scott said today's 11 a.m. briefing would likely be the most significant, because "we'll have much better information" after the storm passes Cuba.
If Isaac wobbles closer to the state than currently forecast, the weather would be even worse for both Central and South Florida, forecasters said. However, that's unlikely.
After crossing the Keys, Isaac is projected to angle northwest into the Gulf of Mexico and arrive about 125 miles west of Tampa Bay early Tuesday. It is forecast to strike Florida's Panhandle on Tuesday as a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 100 mph.
The Keys and the state's west coast stand to be raked by Isaac's swirling winds during the next three days. It also could see major coastal flooding.
The hurricane center also is monitoring a tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic near the Cape Verde Islands, giving it a medium chance of developing into a depression or storm during the next two days. That system was moving northwest at 15 mph.
The next named storm will be Kirk.
arehernandez@tribune.com or 407-420-5471
kkaye@tribune.com or 954-572-2085
For more information about local preparations for Isaac:
Lake County: 352-343-9420 or lakecountyfl.gov
Volusia County: 386-736-5980 in West Volusia; 386-258-4088 in Daytona Beach; 386-423-3395 in New Smyrna Beach or
Seminole County: 407-665-5102 or prepareseminole.com
Orange County: 407-836-3111 or orangecountyfl.net
Osceola County: 407-742-9000 or osceola.org/emergencymanagement
City of Orlando: 407-246-4357 or cityoforlando.net
In Broward and Palm Beach counties, the system is forecast to generate 35 to 45 mph winds with gusts up to 60 mph. Coastal areas and Miami-Dade County can expect the winds to be 5 to 10 mph stronger.
In Orange County, officials alerted local hotels to report vacancies for possible evacuees from the Tampa and Gulf Coast areas of Florida.
The storm is expected to rage until late Monday morning and produce a total of 4 to 6 inches of rain in Central Florida, forecasters said. Winds could knock out power lines and cause structural damage to buildings.
Flooding is possible across the region, particularly in low-lying areas susceptible to standing water.
On Saturday, no decisions were made to close schools in Central Florida. But those conversations are ongoing and it's possible closures could be announced today.
Many local schools are also used as shelters during emergencies, said Orange County assistant emergency manager Ron Plummer.
Osceola County's citizen-information hotline will go live today for residents, said emergency management specialist Daniel Tohorton.
In Volusia County, officials are warning residents to tie down any loose objects, including lawn furniture and garbage cans, that could be tossed about by blustery winds.
Utility crews are in position to respond to power emergencies in each county.
The Florida Highway Patrol is also warning drivers to stay put as the storms blow through and avoid driving on slick roads unless absolutely necessary.
Scott said today's 11 a.m. briefing would likely be the most significant, because "we'll have much better information" after the storm passes Cuba.
If Isaac wobbles closer to the state than currently forecast, the weather would be even worse for both Central and South Florida, forecasters said. However, that's unlikely.
After crossing the Keys, Isaac is projected to angle northwest into the Gulf of Mexico and arrive about 125 miles west of Tampa Bay early Tuesday. It is forecast to strike Florida's Panhandle on Tuesday as a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 100 mph.
The Keys and the state's west coast stand to be raked by Isaac's swirling winds during the next three days. It also could see major coastal flooding.
The hurricane center also is monitoring a tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic near the Cape Verde Islands, giving it a medium chance of developing into a depression or storm during the next two days. That system was moving northwest at 15 mph.
The next named storm will be Kirk.
arehernandez@tribune.com or 407-420-5471
kkaye@tribune.com or 954-572-2085
For more information about local preparations for Isaac:
Lake County: 352-343-9420 or lakecountyfl.gov
Volusia County: 386-736-5980 in West Volusia; 386-258-4088 in Daytona Beach; 386-423-3395 in New Smyrna Beach or
Seminole County: 407-665-5102 or prepareseminole.com
Orange County: 407-836-3111 or orangecountyfl.net
Osceola County: 407-742-9000 or osceola.org/emergencymanagement
City of Orlando: 407-246-4357 or cityoforlando.net
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