| Supplemental Info:
Hurricane Irma Situation Update - Sept 11, 2017
[ This will be the final Irma Situation Update ]
[This statement is from the NHC 5:00 PM update. No updated storm discussion was provided for the 8:00 PM update. Thus, the assessment will likely change. Check the link later for the 11:00 PM update.]
Surface synoptic data over the southeastern United States indicate that Irma continues to weaken. The maximum winds are now near 45 kt, and these are confined to the Georgia and South Carolina coastal area, along with some winds to tropical storm force in interior central to northern GA. Irma continues to have some extratropical characteristics, since a fairly well-defined baroclinic zone lies not far from the center. Nevertheless, the large circulation should continue to spin down due to land interaction and strong southwesterly shear. The official intensity forecast is above most of the guidance, so the system could weaken faster than shown here. Irma should weaken to a depression in 24 hours or sooner, and the global guidance shows the circulation dissipating over the east-central United States after 48 hours.
Synoptic center fixes give a continued north-northwestward motion of 340/15 kt. There is little change to the track forecast reasoning. For the next day or two, Irma or its remnants should move on a NNW to NW track along the periphery of a broad mid-level cyclonic gyre. The official
forecast is a blend of the latest GFS and ECMWF solutions.
KEY MESSAGES:
1. There is the danger of life-threatening storm surge flooding along portions of the coasts of western Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, where Storm Surge Warnings remain in effect.
2. Irma is producing very heavy rain across the southeastern United States. Intense rainfall rates are leading to flash flooding and rapid rises on creeks, streams, and rivers. Significant river flooding will persist over the Florida peninsula in the wake of Irma and in Georgia, South Carolina and north-central Alabama, where additional heavy rains are expected. Portions of these states within the southern Appalachians will be especially vulnerable to flash flooding. Irma is also expected to produce heavy rains in northern Mississippi and southern portions of Tennessee and North Carolina, where local flooding may occur.
If you are in an evacuation zone and are unable to leave or need assistance for whatever reason call the Helpline: 800-342-3557
Airbnb Storm Accommodations
https://www.airbnb.com/welcome/evacuees/hurricaneirmaevacuees
U-Haul Offers 30 Days Free Self-Storage at 95 Facilities in Florida
http://bit.ly/2whlsER
RECOVERY AND DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Red Cross
http://rdcrss.org/2gYzOrV
DHS / FEMA
http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm
https://www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers
https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
FEMA Mobile App
FEMA has made available a free mobile app for Apple and Android devices with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters, including the location of shelters. The app is available for Apple devices via the iTunes store and Android devices via the Google Play Store.
Info via SMS
To search for open shelters: text SHELTER and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA) .
To search for open Disaster Recovery Centers, text: DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA) .
Free Internet Access
Cable and internet provider Comcast is offering free internet access across Florida through 9/15 to help residents and emergency personnel stay connected during Hurricane Irma. This includes more than 137,000 Xfinity wifi hotspots throughout the state to anyone who needs them, including non-Xfinity customers.
For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, which are located both indoors and outdoors in places such as shopping districts, parks and businesses, visit the link below.
http://Xfinity.com/wifi or http://wifi.xfinity.com
Communications
Communication in the impact area of Hurricane Harvey is limited. From damaged cell towers to overburdened networks, getting calls out of and into the area can be extremely difficult.
Alternate solutions include:
SMS Messages: This one is obvious, but it takes significantly less bandwidth to send text messages verses a voice call. Even if calls are not getting through, such as calls going INTO the impact area trying to reach loved ones, try text messages. The recipient might not receive calls, but text messages will likely get through if the network is operating at some level.
Find a WIFI hotspot. Comcast has opened more than 137,000 hotspots for Floridians to use for free, regardless of if you are a customer or not. And they already have an army of tech deployed across the state making strategic repairs to enable this communications solution for the masses.
With a WIFI connection, you then can send and receive email. Additionally, digital messaging services like iMessage, Facebook Messenger, Magic Jack, Skype, SnapChat or Whatsapp could be a winning solution.
Next, consider social media to reach numerous friends and family members all at once. The FCC and FEMA suggest it could be more efficient (and easier on your device battery) to post a single status update on one of the various social media platforms versus sending messages or making calls to multiple people. This goes for communications in BOTH directions.
PLEASE SHARE THIS EMAIL WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. THERE ARE MANY IMPACTED BY IRMA WHO MAY FIND THESE RESOURCES USEFUL.
A DISCOUNT SUBSCRIPTION LINK FOR THE ALERTSUSA SERVICE CAN BE FOUND BELOW.
|
