Hurricane Warning Now in Effect for Brevard as Hurricane-Force Winds Threaten the Space Coast

By  //  July 31, 2020

hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours

A Hurricane Warning is now in effect for Brevard County, which means hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours.

HURRICANE ISAIAS 5 P.M. UPDATE

NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER – A Hurricane Warning is now in effect for Brevard County, which means hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours.

Storm Surge Watch means life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, is possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours.

LOCATIONS AFFECTED: Melbourne – Palm Bay – Cocoa Beach

WIND – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Strong Tropical Storm force wind – Peak Wind Forecast: 50-65 mph with gusts to 85 mph – Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Saturday evening until Sunday evening.

THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 74 to 110 mph – The wind threat has increased from the previous assessment.

PLAN: Plan for life-threatening wind of equivalent CAT 1 or 2 hurricane force. –

PREPARE: Remaining efforts to protect life and property should be urgently completed. Prepare for considerable wind damage.

ACT: Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS:

• Extensive – Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed. Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks.

• Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over.

• Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. – Large areas with power and communications outages.

STORM SURGE – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Localized storm surge possible – Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for 1-3 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas – Window of concern: Saturday evening until Sunday evening.

THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for storm surge flooding greater than 1 foot above ground – The storm surge threat has increased from the previous assessment.

PLAN: Plan for storm surge flooding greater than 1 foot above ground.

PREPARE: Complete preparations for storm surge flooding, especially in low-lying vulnerable areas, before conditions become unsafe. – ACT: Leave immediately if evacuation orders are given for your area.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS:

• Limited – Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.

• Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.

• Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.

FLOODING RAIN – LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts

THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for localized flooding rain – The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.

PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for localized flooding from heavy rain. – PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. – ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited – Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. – Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots. – Floodwaters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures.

THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Tornadoes not expected – The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.

PLAN: Tornadoes are not expected. Showers and thunderstorms with gusty winds may still occur.

PREPARE: Little to no preparations needed to protect against tornadoes at this time. Keep informed of the latest tornado situation.

ACT: Listen for changes in the forecast.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None – Little to no potential impacts from tornadoes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Family emergency plans: Federal Emergency Management Agency – https://www.ready.gov – Local weather conditions and forecasts – http://www.weather.gov/mlb