[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS82 KMHX 101625 CCA
HLSMHX
AMZ158-NCZ095-098-102230-

HURRICANE OPHELIA LOCAL STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEWPORT/MOREHEAD CITY NC
1217 PM EDT SAT SEP 10 2005

...HURRICANE OPHELIA IS FORECAST TO MAKE A TURN FOR THE COAST
BRINGING THE POTENTIAL FOR HURRICANE FORCE WINDS TO THE COASTAL
WATERS SOUTH OF CAPE LOOKOUT...

...AREAS AFFECTED...
THIS STATEMENT IS FOR RESIDENTS OF THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES:
CARTERET AND ONSLOW.

...WATCHES/WARNINGS...
A HURRICANE WATCH HAS BEEN POSTED ON THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST
FROM CAPE LOOKOUT SOUTH. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR HURRICANE FORCE
WINDS IN THIS AREA AS EARLY AS MONDAY.

...STORM INFORMATION...
AT 11 AM EDT...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE OPHELIA WAS LOCATED NEAR
LATITUDE 31.6 NORTH...LONGITUDE 76.5 WEST OR ABOUT 220 MILES EAST-
SOUTHEAST OF CHARLESTON SOUTH CAROLINA AND ABOUT 255 MILES SOUTH-
SOUTHWEST OF CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA. OPHELIA HAS SLOWED DOWN
AND IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHEAST NEAR 3 MPH. LITTLE MOTION IS
EXPECTED TODAY WITH A GRADUAL TURN TO THE WEST-NORTHWEST TONIGHT.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 80 MPH WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. OPHELIA IS A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON
SCALE. SOME SLIGHT STRENGTHENING IS POSSIBLE DURING THE NEXT 24
HOURS.

...PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
RESIDENTS IN THE WATCH AREA SHOULD BEGIN PREPARATIONS NOW. A
HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE IN
THE WATCH AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 36 HOURS. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU
KEEP INFORMED ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF THE HURRICANE AND TAKE THE
NECESSARY PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS TO MINIMIZE PROPERTY LOSSES AND
PERSONAL RISK.

...STORM SURGE FLOOD AND STORM TIDE IMPACTS...
STORM SURGE FROM OPHELIA COULD REACH 2 TO 4 FEET ALONG THE COAST
SOUTH OF CAPE LOOKOUT...WITH THE HIGHEST SURGE NEAR NORTH TOPSAIL
BEACH.

...WIND IMPACTS...
THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR HURRICANE FORCE WINDS OF 74 MPH OR
HIGHER TO IMPACT COASTAL AREAS SOUTH OF CAPE LOOKOUT BEGINNING
MONDAY.

...FLOODING IMPACTS...
HEAVY RAINS WILL BEGIN TO SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA BEGINNING SUNDAY.
RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 4 TO 6 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGH MONDAY.
LOCALIZED FLOODING OF LOW LYING AREAS WILL BE POSSIBLE.

...RIP CURRENT IMPACTS...
THERE IS A HIGH THREAT OF RIP CURRENTS ALONG AREA BEACHES DUE TO
A LONG PERIOD SWELL FROM OPHELIA.

...HIGH SURF/BEACH EROSION IMPACTS...
SURF WILL BEGIN TO BUILD SUNDAY NIGHT AS OPHELIA APPROACHES.
BREAKING WAVES OF 8 TO 10 FEET WILL BE POSSIBLE PRODUCING MODERATE
EROSION...ESPECIALLY ON EAST FACING BEACHES.

...NEXT UPDATE...
THE NEXT UPDATE WILL BE AT 6 PM EDT TONIGHT.

$$

RSB/TK

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