HURRICANE IRENE ADVISORY NUMBER 13
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL092011
1100 AM EDT TUE AUG 23 2011

…IRENE APPROACHING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS…

SUMMARY OF 1100 AM EDT…1500 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————–
LOCATION…20.5N 71.0W
ABOUT 70 MI…110 KM S OF GRAND TURK ISLAND
ABOUT 50 MI…85 KM NNW OF PUERTO PLATA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…100 MPH…160 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…WNW OR 295 DEGREES AT 12 MPH…19 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…980 MB…28.94 INCHES

LOCATION…19.2N 67.5W

ABOUT 105 MI…170 KM WNW OF SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO
ABOUT 70 MI…115 KM NE OF PUNTA CANA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…80 MPH…130 KM/H

The government of the Bahamas has issued a hurricane warning for the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Southeastern Bahamas.

Summary of watches and warnings in effect…A hurricane warning is in effect for…* North coast of the Dominican Republic from the Haiti border Eastward to Cabo Engano * Southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands

A hurricane watch is in effect for… * North coast of Haiti from le mole St. Nicholas eastward to the Dominican Republic border * central Bahamas

A tropical storm warning is in effect for…* Puerto Rico…Vieques and Culebra * South Coast of the Dominican Republic from South of Cabo Engano Westward to the Haiti Border * all of Haiti

Discussion and 48-Hour Outlook
——————————
At 1100 am…The Center of Hurricane Irene was located near Latitude 19.2 North…Longitude 67.5 West. Irene is moving toward the West-Northwest near 13 Mph…20 Km/H…and this motion is expected to continue during the next 24 To 48 hours. On This Track the Core of Irene should be passing just to the North of Hispaniola later today and early Tuesday and reach the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Southeastern Bahamas late Tuesday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 80 Mph…130 Km/H…with higher gusts. Irene is a Category One Hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Strengthening is forecast during the next few days.

Hurricane Force Winds Extend Outward Up To 30 Miles…45 Km…from the center…and Tropical Storm Force Winds extend outward up To 185 miles…295 Km to the Northeast of the center.

Minimum Central Pressure Estimated From A Reconnaissance Plane Was 988 Mb…29.18 Inches.
Source: NWS – NOAA

In the event of a tropical storm, hurricane or typhoon, the US Embassy will send out a warden message and will monitor the storm’s track, issuing updated messages as information becomes available. The Department of State may also issue Travel Alerts or Travel Warnings to apprise the traveling public of the situation. Please take this time to check your travel documents and those of your family members to assure that all U.S. passports are still valid and that any non-U.S. citizen family members have valid U.S. visas. You may need to travel to the United States on short notice and would not want to be stuck without valid travel documents.

Please read more on this important information here.

* Source: US Department of State

We’ve been in the hurricane-protection business for a long time, so we know what works best to protect homes and businesses in Southwest Florida. Smart Companies’ experts have the experience and top-notch skills to make your property safe and sound with technologically advanced certified protection. It starts with a quick call or e-mail to schedule a free, no-obligation storm-protection evaluation to determine which products will work best for your Florida home or business. Call us today at 239-278-9092 or Toll Free at 888-962-7283.

* Source - NOAA

The center of the storm came ashore at Cabo Rojo, Mexico, or just to the south of Tampico, around 4:00 a.m. central time, packing estimated maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, with higher gusts.

There was a possibility that the storm could have reached hurricane status (winds of 74 mph or stronger) in the few hours prior to landfall; however, this did not come to fruition.

Regardless, bands of heavy rain with embedded thunderstorms will continue to lash northeastern Mexico, and even part of South Texas, into Friday, even as winds unwind.

Read more about this weather development here.

*Source Accuweather.com

Hurricane Preparation Tips
•    Do a run-through installation so you know what it takes to completely secure your home.
•    Make sure all hurricane protection works, and check that you have all the parts for installation.
•    Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed.
•    Have a family plan in place that addresses where everyone will meet, in case you are separated.

If a Hurricane is Likely in Your Area
•    Secure your home, engage storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
•    Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
•    Turn off propane tanks.
•    Ensure you have a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.
•    Listen to the radio or watch TV for information.
•    If possible, monitor these websites:  National Hurricane Center & Storm Prediction Center.

Evacuate Under the Following Conditions
•    If directed by local authorities to do so, and be sure to follow their instructions.
•    If you live in a high-rise building — hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
•    If you live on the coast, in a floodplain, near a river or on an inland waterway.
•    If you feel you are in danger.
•    If you are unable to evacuate, go to your safe room. If you do not have one, close all interior doors; secure and brace external doors; keep curtains and blinds closed; take refuge in a small interior room on the lowest level or lie under a sturdy object such as a table.
Should you have any questions about your home’s hurricane readiness, please contact us. Also, if you need service or parts before a storm hits, call us at (239) 278-9092 or Toll Free at 888-962-7283.

• This is the first year in recorded history that as many as 12 hurricanes formed without a U.S. Landfall
• Since 1944, only two years matched or exceeded this year’s 19 named storms-19 in 1955 and 28 in 2005.
• Since 1944, only two years matched or exceeded this year’s 12 hurricanes- 12 in 1969 and 15 in 2005.

Florida and the United States might have gotten through the 2010 hurricane season with only a flesh wound, but that doesn’t mean we’re bulletproof.  Dennis Feltgen who is spokesman for the National Hurricane Center said, “We can’t tell where the storms are going to form, let alone if and when they’ll make landfall. You can’t base your plans on the outlook. You’ve got to say, ‘ok, we might get hit, it only takes ONE STORM!’”

Story Courtesy of the News-Press

Listen here to hear the interview!Daybreak interview with Brian Rist

Congrats to Storm Smart & Thank You to all of the Florida Weekly Voters!