HURRICANE LOCAL STATEMENT

[Rainband]

Expires 1:00 AM EDT on September 04, 2003


Statement as of 6:00 PM EDT on September 3, 2003


...Watch/Warning Information.........................................



A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for...

Citrus Hernando Levy Pasco Pinellas Hillsborough Manatee Sarasota

This includes the coastal waters from Englewood to the mouth of the Suwannee river.

... Storm location... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . at 5 PM... the center of tropical depression 12 was located about 300 miles west southwest of Tampa. The depression is expected to move slowly toward the northeast then east-northeast during the next 24 hours... toward west central Florida.

... Current radar information... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . Doppler radar indicated that scattered thunderstorms were developing over west central Florida well east of the tropical depression. These storms are expected to weaken later this evening with the loss of daytime heating. However... more showers and thunderstorms out over the Gulf of Mexico will be developing and moving toward the coast later tonight.

... Rainfall information... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Rainfall amounts will average 3 to 5 inches over the next two days with localized amounts over 6 inches. Many locations will likely experience high standing water as rain falls over the next few days. Motorists should be prepared for flooded roadways.

... Wind... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . Windy conditions of 20 to 30 mph with some higher gusts are expected as bands of rain with embedded stronger thunderstorms move across the area.

... River flooding... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... areas along rivers that are already above flood stage will continue to experience flooding. Higher than normal water levels on the Gulf of Mexico and bays will slow the flow of rivers especially near the tidal interface. Residents along all rivers and streams should continue to be alert for flooding over the next couple of days. For additional information concerning river flooding... refer to local river flood statements.

... Surge information... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... southerly winds will push water levels higher than normal. Water levels along the coast and in bays will range up to 2 to 4 feet above normal late Thursday into Friday.

... Next issuance... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. The next tropical depression 12 local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service office in Ruskin by 9 PM. For additional information on td #12... see the latest advisories from the National Hurricane Center.

... Preparedness actions... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Now is the time to take precautions and secure your property. The following are some suggestions for preparing for the storm.

Grocery store may sell out of items soon. Stock up on...
batteries for radios and flashlights
canned or dried food and drinking water
first aid supplies
prescription medicine
Cash... credit cards and atm's may not work without power
fuel for automobiles... generators and chain saws

Around the house...
store loose items such as trash cans or yard furniture
secure windows with shutters... boards etc
battery operated radios are working
move boat to a safe location
trim large trees that could fall on house
make sure valuable papers are secure

Make reservations now. Plan to evacuate if you live...
in a Mobile home
on the coast
in a low lying flood prone area
in a high rise

If you must evacuate to a public shelter remember to bring...
first aid kit
medicine
baby food and diapers
toiletries
change of clothes
battery powered radio and extra batteries
flashlight
sleeping bags or blankets
identification
valuable papers
Cash
games

Remember... pets are not allowed in public shelters.

If you are staying at home...
turn refrigerator to maximum cold
turn off propane tanks
unplug small appliances
fill sterilized jugs and bottles with water for drinking
fill Bath tub and containers with water for sanitary
purposes

When winds become strong...
stay away from windows
remain in a small interior room on the first floor
close all interior doors
secure and brace exterior doors.

Precautions outside your home should be started now while the
weather is still good. It may be impossible to work outside soon.


... Definitions... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .


Tropical storm watch...
tropical storm conditions are possible in the specified area of the
watch... usually within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Warning...
tropical storm conditions are expected in the specified area of the
warning... usually within 24 hours.

Hurricane Watch...
hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the watch
usually within 36 hours. During a Hurricane Watch... prepare to take
immediate action to protect your family and property in case a
Hurricane Warning is issued.

Hurricane Warning...
hurricane conditions are expected in the specified are of the
warning... usually within 24 hours. Complete all storm preparation
and evacuate if directed by local officials.

Astronomical tide...
the periodic rise and fall of the waters of the ocean and
its inlets... produced by the attraction of the moon and sun... and
occurring about every 12 hours.

Storm surge...
a large dome of water often 50 to 100 miles wide that sweeps across
the coastline near where a hurricane makes landfall.

Storm tide...
the combination of the storm surge and the normal astronomical tide.

Inland high wind watch for tropical storm force winds...
tropical storm force winds for inland counties expected within 36
hours.

Inland High Wind Warning for tropical storm force winds...
tropical storm force winds for inland counties expected within 24
hours.

Inland high wind watch for hurricane force winds...
hurricane force winds for inland counties expected within 36 hours.

Inland High Wind Warning for hurricane force winds...
hurricane force winds for inland counties expected within 24 hours.

[mf_dolphin]

This one's a little close to home but it doesn't look like it will have time to do much. What we don't need is more rain!

[ColdFront77]

Generally speaking, a tropical depression nearly stationary in the Gulf of Mexico moving at a snail's pace over very warm water will stay over such an area for longer than if it were moving at even a below average rate of speed for Gulf of Mexico's latitude.

[weatherlover427]

Judging by Tom's radar, a fair sized area of rain is already over central FL and another, even bigger, one is ready to move in off the eastern Gulf. Stay dry and don't float away, anyone who lives in central FL! :o

[mf_dolphin]

I have the boat all gassed up and ready to float out of the driveway

[weatherlover427]

Better hope your roof's are all in good order, cause 7-10" of rain sure will cause some leaks if they aren't waterproof! :o

[Toni - 574]

I have the boat all gassed up and ready to float out of the driveway

Hey Marshall, can you point your boat in my direction, we may need it!! Have been driving home from work for the last 2 days with it raining so bad that you can hardly see to drive. I think it looks like we are goin to get a whole lot more of what we have already had a lot of. Just PLEASE, LET THE ELECTRIC STAY ON!! ( can't do without the computer)


Everyone stay safe that is in the warning area!!

[Lindaloo]

Yep, break out the rubber hip boots. lol. You guys are gonna need them.

[mf_dolphin]

Toni just give me directions! I'm at 58th St and 19th Ave South (Gulfport) LOL I'l bring some fishing poles with me. Might as well have some fun while we're at it

[Josephine96]

LOL you guys are hilarious about this.. lol

[Toni - 574]

Toni just give me directions! I'm at 58th St and 19th Ave South (Gulfport) LOL I'l bring some fishing poles with me. Might as well have some fun while we're at it

Well in that case don't forget to bring the sandwiches and chips, just head north on 16th St. and head for 47th ave. I'll bring the bait!!

[wrkh99]

MF when did you move to MS ?

[Amanzi]

Hey, think you guys could pick me up to go fishin?

Td 12 looks a little better this morning.... lets just pray the GFS solution is wrong on this and it does not park itself over us for a long period of time....We are under a flood watch here ( I have no idea why because my part of the county has had no rain in one week)

Stay safe all,
btw how much rain have you had there John?

[Lindaloo]

I believe there is a Gulfport, FL.

[ColdFront77]

It is great to see you Bron. I hope you are doing fine.

The forecast is calling for 2 to 4+ inches of rain to fall across the peninsula in the days ahead. Even places where it didn't rain the ground can only hold so much water, thus the Flood Watches were reissued that were taken down for about 12 hours.

Flood Watches were never cancelled for Marion county south and westward.

[Amanzi]

Thanks for the info Tom

You are on the west side of me... have you had much rain lately? We could actually use some rain, but not a huge amount in a short period of time :o

[ColdFront77]

You're welcome, Bron.

It rained last evening, when it was starting to sprinkle there was an ominious cloud to my southwest and south; about an hour or so later it rained heavier with some thunder and then stopped. I don't know about this morning.

As you have probably seen on radar, there is quite an area on Tropical Depression 12's eastern side rolling in along the Gulf coast.