WCF SECTION SPECIAL BULLETIN #18-2: 1800 EDT – 5/27/18
SUBTROPICAL STORM ALBERTO NOW IN THE CENTRAL EASTERN GULF
ONLY WATCH AND OR WARNING ACTIVE: TROPICAL STORM WARNING FOR COASTAL PASCO COUNTY. ALBERTO MOVING AWAY FROM THE AREA.
SITUATION: As of 1700 EDT, the center of Subtropical Storm Alberto was located about 165 miles west of Tampa. The storm is moving toward the north-northwest near 12 miles per hour with maximum sustained winds at 50 miles per hour. A north-northwest motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected tonight. A north-northwestward to northward motion is expected Monday through Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Alberto will move over the northern Gulf of Mexico tonight and approach the northern Gulf Coast in the warning area on Monday. According to the 1700 EDT Hurricane Local Statement issued by the NWS Office in Ruskin nearly all of the storm impacts are mostly focused on Pasco County and the counties along the coast north of Pasco County.
As of 1700 EDT, all Tropical Storm Warnings had been discontinued for the coastal counties of the ARRL West Central Florida Section, except for Pasco County, as the storm moves to the north and north-northwest. The Flood Watch that was due to expire Monday evening was discontinued earlier this afternoon.
IMPACTS: Impacts to the ARRL West Central Florida Section will now lessen over the next 24 hours from the wind and flooding due to excessive rain, but there is still a slight risk of tornadoes on the outer feeder bands now crossing the state as well as wind gusts from 25 to 30 mph.
ACTION: At this time ARRL West Central Florida ARES is still at a Level 3 activation (Stand By) in case of any activation of any of our local ARES or ACS groups along the coastal counties of the West Central Florida Section. None of our ARES groups have had any requests to activate in the West Central Florida Section from any of our served agencies. The likelihood of ARES activation is now decreasing, due to the minimal impact that Alberto has had on the West Central Florida Section and is continuing to decrease a Alberto moves away. Discontinuation of the Level 3 activation is nearly certain to be in the next 24 hours and once all Tropical Storm Warnings for Pasco County are discontinued, West Central Florida Section ARES will discontinue the Level 3 activation. All ARES, ACS, and CERT personnel should check their equipment, supplies, and sources of emergency power for proper status and everyone should continue to monitor the latest advisories issued by the National Hurricane Center or by the National Weather Service Office in Ruskin.
The next scheduled WCF Section Special Bulletin will be issued tomorrow following the 1100 EDT National Hurricane Center advisory unless conditions warrant another bulletin prior to that time.