Hurricane and Tornadoes in Florida, September 9 to 14, 2017

Satellite imagery and radar velocity data support wind speeds of 75 to 90 mph were sustained in Mainland Monroe county. Tree damage and storm surge was also evident via satellite imagery.

Hurricane Irma produced maximum sustained winds of 60 to 75 mph across inland and far southern sections of Miami-Dade County, with a maximum sustained wind reading of 76 mph five miles southwest of Florida City. Wind gusts to hurricane force were observed across the entire area, with highest gust of 90 mph measured at Royal Palm Ranger Station in the Everglades. There was widespread damage to trees, fences and power poles, with limited damage to structures. Information on death toll, damage estimates, customers without power and people in evacuation shelters is contained in the event summary for Metropolitan Miami-Dade County.

Hurricane Irma produced maximum sustained winds generally between 50 and 70 mph, with gusts to hurricane force as high as 90-100 mph. A peak wind gust of 99 mph was measured at the FAA observation tower at Miami International Airport at 119 PM on September 10th. These winds produced heavy tree, fence and power pole damage, with mostly minor damage to structures. 888,530 customers lost power, 80% of total customers. Around 31,100 people evacuated to shelters. Over 1,500 structures suffered notable damage, an estimate that will likely increase as additional damage assessments are done. Estimate of damage to the agricultural industry totaled about $255 million, and overall damage in Miami-Dade County is likely much higher and awaiting final assessments.

Hurricane Irma produced maximum sustained winds of 60 to 75 mph across inland sections of Miami-Dade County, with a maximum sustained wind reading of 76 mph five miles southwest of Florida City. Wind gusts to hurricane force were observed across the entire area, with highest gust of 90 mph measured at Chekika in the Everglades. There was widespread damage to trees, fences and power poles, with limited damage to structures. Information on death toll, damage estimates, customers without power and people in evacuation shelters is contained in the event summary for Metropolitan Miami-Dade County.

Hurricane Irma produced maximum sustained winds generally between 50 and 70 mph, with gusts to hurricane force as high as 90-100 mph. A peak wind gust of 99 mph was measured at the FAA observation tower at Miami International Airport at 119 PM on September 10th. These winds produced heavy tree, fence and power pole damage, with mostly minor damage to structures. Information on death toll, estimates of damage, number of customers without power, and number of people in evacuation shelters is contained in the event summary for Metropolitan Miami-Dade County.

NWS storm survey determined damage including leaning wood power poles along US 41 and SR 29 were due to a tornado. Time estimated by radar.

Hurricane Irma produced maximum sustained winds generally between 50 and 70 mph, with possible isolated spots of sustained wind to hurricane force. Gusts of 80 to 100 mph were common across most of metro Broward County. These winds produced heavy tree, fences and power pole damage. Structural damage was mostly minor. Information on death toll, estimates of damage, number of people in evacuation shelters and number of customers without power is contained in the event summary for Metro Broward County.

Hurricane Irma produced maximum sustained winds generally between 50 and 70 mph, with possible isolated spots of sustained wind to hurricane force. Gusts of 80 to 100 mph were common across most of metro Broward County. These winds produced heavy tree, fences and power pole damage. Structural damage was mostly minor. A total of 689,500 customers lost power, abput 74% of total customers. Around 17,000 people evacuated to county shelters.

One direct fatality occurred in the Miami Gardens neighborhood in the southern part of the county where an 86-year-old man who was knocked down by a gust of wind while opening the front door of his home the night before landfall. The victim hit his head on the floor and died a few days later from the resulting injuries.

Hurricane Irma produced maximum sustained winds near 115 mph at landfall in Marco Island and 80-100 mph across the rest of Coastal Collier County. Wind gusts were in excess of 100 mph, with a peak gust of 142 mph near Naples Regional Airport at 435 PM in association with the eastern eye wall. These winds produced major wind damage with at least 88 buildings destroyed and over 1,500 with major damage. Heavy tree and power pole damage, along with minor structural damage, was observed in areas affected by the eye wall. Post-storm survey revealed the likelihood of mini-vortices in the eastern eye wall causing enhanced tree and structural damage in Port of the Islands and Collier-Seminole State Park. A total of 197,630 customers lost power across all of Collier County.

Hurricane Irma produced maximum sustained winds near 115 mph at landfall in Marco Island and 70-100 mph across most of Inland Collier County. Wind gusts were in excess of 100 mph over most areas, particularly in the western half of the county near the eye wall. Heavy tree and power pole damage, along with minor structural damage, was observed in areas affected by the eye wall. Post-storm survey revealed the likelihood of mini-vortices in the eastern eye wall causing enhanced tree and structural damage in the Orangetree and Corkscrew Swamp area. Total number of damaged structures, damage estimates, death toll and customers without power are included in the Coastal Collier County entry.

Hurricane Irma produced maximum sustained winds generally between 50 and 70 mph with stronger gusts across metro Palm Beach County. Highest measured wind gust in the county was 91 mph at Palm Beach International Airport at 455 PM EDT and at Lake Worth Pier at 500 PM EDT. Widespread tree and fence damage occurred county-wide, with only minor structural damage. 566,240 customers lost power, about 75% of total customers. Around 17,300 people evacuated to county shelters.

Hurricane Irma produced maximum sustained winds generally between 50 and 70 mph with stronger gusts across metro Palm Beach County. Highest measured wind gust in the county was 91 mph at Palm Beach International Airport at 455 PM EDT and at Lake Worth Pier at 500 PM EDT. Widespread tree and fence damage occurred county-wide, with only minor structural damage. 566,240 customers lost power, about 75% of total customers. Around 17,300 people evacuated to county shelters. Information on damage estimates and death toll is contained in the event summary for Metro Palm Beach County.

During a NWS storm survey for Hurricane Irma evidence was found of a discontinuous track of a tornado from Fort Lauderdale Beach to Wilton Manors. Multiple trees were damaged along the path.

A tornado was reported by a member of the public around Homestead Motor Speedway.

NWS storm survey determined an area of enhanced tree damage along SW 172 Avenue between Memorial Hospital and Miramar Regional Park was the result of a tornado. Sections of trees were completely ripped apart.

NWS storm survey determined a tornado in the Chapel Trail neighborhood near NW 196 Avenue north of Pines Boulevard. Several trees ripped apart with roof tile damage. Damage pattern suggested rotation. Time estimated via radar.

Hurricane Irma produced maximum sustained winds generally between 50 and 70 mph with gusts to as high as 90 mph across inland Broward County. These winds produced heavy tree, fences and power pole damage, but generally minor structural damage. Information on death toll, estimated damage, customers without power and evacuations is contained in the event summary for Metro Broward County.

Hurricane Irma produced maximum sustained winds generally between 50 and 65 mph with gusts of hurricane force as high as 90 mph across Inland Palm Beach County. These winds produced widespread tree and fence damage. Death toll, estimates of damage and customers without power is contained in the event narrative for Metro Palm Beach County.

Hurricane Irma produced maximum recorded sustained winds generally between 55 and 70 mph, although sustained hurricane-force winds probably occurred in at least the western portion of the county. Gusts to hurricane force occurred over virtually the entire county, with a peak recorded gust of 90 mph at Airglades Airport near Clewiston at 815 PM EDT. Gusts of at least 100 mph likely occurred over western portions of the county. These winds produced heavy tree and power pole damage across the county. 131 residential structes had major damage with 42 destroyed. Almost 10,000 customers lost power, almost 100% of total customers.

Hurricane Irma produced maximum sustained winds generally between 55 and 65 mph with gusts to hurricane force across Glades County. Highest recorded gust was 78 mph in Moore Haven at 700 PM EDT and in Brighton Seminole Reservation at 858 PM EDT. Heavy tree and power pole damage across the entire county. 334 structures suffered major damage, 118 uninhabitable and 33 destroyed. Several homes sustained total roof failure.

Maximum storm tide in Miami-Dade County occurred along the Biscayne Bay shoreline south of Downtown Miami to Black Point, where highest surge values were 5-6 feet above Mean Higher High Water (MHHW). Greatest impacts were in the Coconut Grove area where inundation ranged from 3 to 5 feet at the shoreline, with inland extent of flooding up to the north side of Bayshore Drive. Marinas and parks at the bayfront were flooded, and adjacent properties/structures suffered water damage as far south as Matheson Hammock Park.

USGS rapid deployment gauges measured a maximum storm tide of 5.75 feet above NAVD88 at Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove, 5.61 feet above NAVD88 at Black Point, and 4.07 feet above NAVD88 at Turkey Point. At the Virginia Key NOS station, maximum storm tide was 3.66 feet above MHHW.

In the Brickell area just south of Downtown Miami, streets within a half-mile of the bay had about 2-3 feet of inundation. Similar inundation was noted north of Downtown Miami up to the Edgewater area, with lower values to the north.

Along the Atlantic coast from Miami Beach northward, inundation was generally 2-3 feet along the immediate coast, with a maximum storm tide from USGS gauge of 3.32 feet above NAVD88 at Bal Harbour.

USGS rapid deployment gauges measured maximum storm tide of 3-4 feet above NAVD88 along the Broward County Atlantic coast and Intracoastal Waterway. This resulted in maximum inundation of 2 to 3 feet which affected adjacent streets and properties, particularly in the overwash of State Road A1A in Fort Lauderdale. Inland penetration of flooding was mainly less than a half-mile. North of Fort Lauderdale, little inland penetration was noted.

Maximum storm tide in Palm Beach County was in the 2-3 ft range, with a measured maximum storm tide of 1.97 feet above Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) at Lake Worth Pier. Little significant inundation was noted.

Storm surge across Collier County ranged from 4 to 8 feet, highest in the Chokoloskee and Everglades City area and lowest at the northern Collier County coast. Impacts were most severe in Chokoloskee, Everglades City, Plantation Island and Goodland where numerous homes were flooded and suffered major to catastrophic damage.

Storm survey and data from USGS rapid deployment gauges indicated highest inundation from storm surge in Chokoloskee with up to 8 feet at waterfront, approximately 8 feet above Mean Higher High Water (MHHW), as well as 3-5 feet of inundation across the island.

In Everglades City, a maximum 6 ft of inundation at the Everglades National Park Gulf|Visitor Center, with 2-4 feet across the town and as high as 5 feet in a few areas.|USGS high water mark data showed 1-2 feet of inundation as far inland as Tamiami Trail between State Road 29 and Collier-Seminole State Park.

In Goodland, maximum storm tide was about 5.5 ft above MHHW, translating to between 5-6 ft of inundation at waterfront and 3-4 ft across most of town.

In Marco Island, storm tide was as high as 4.5 feet above MHHW, translating to between 2-4 ft inundation mainly over south and east parts of the island. |Inland penetration was generally less than a half-mile.

In Naples, NOS tide gauge at Naples Pier measured maximum storm tide of 5.14 feet above MHHW. Between 3-4 feet of inundation noted along the Gulf beachfront within 1 block of beach, with less than a half-mile of inland penetration. Highest inundation values noted in Vanderbilt Beach as well as south of Naples Pier. Along Naples Bay, maximum storm tide of about 2-3 ft above MHHW resulting in inundation of 1 to 2 feet on west side of bay just south of Tamiami Trail. This led to flooding of restaurants and shops.

Glades County Emergency Management reported the closure of State Road 29 due to flooding from State Road 78 halfway up to Palmdale, as well as State Road 78 east from State Road 29 to U.S. 27. Extensive sheet flow flooding affected western and southern Glades County to Muse and the Hendry County line. Also, flooding from Fisheating Creek affected the campground adjacent to U.S. 27 in Palmdale.

Rainfall amounts of 8 to 12 inches were widespread across the area, with estimates of 16 to 20 inches over parts of western Glades County.

Extensive sheet flow' flooding caused by heavy rain from Hurricane Irma affected parts of Hendry County. A total of 9 to 11 inches of rain fell in the area during a 48-hour period leading up to and through the event. Estimated amounts of up to 16 inches or higher may have fallen in parts of Hendry County. No major roads were affected, however many properties remained under water for days.