[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS82 KILM 261846
HLSILM

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
HURRICANE IRENE LOCAL STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
246 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

...STRONG HURRICANE IRENE APPROACHING THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST...

.AREAS AFFECTED...
THIS LOCAL STATEMENT PROVIDES IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS FOR PEOPLE AND MARINE INTERESTS IN SELECT
LOCATIONS AND COASTAL WATERS OF SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...
NORTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS.

.WATCHES/WARNINGS...
A HURRICANE WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...
INLAND PENDER...COASTAL PENDER...INLAND NEW HANOVER...COASTAL NEW
HANOVER...INLAND BRUNSWICK AND COASTAL BRUNSWICK.

FOR MARINE INTERESTS...A HURRICANE WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE
COASTAL WATERS FROM LITTLE RIVER NORTHWARD.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...
BLADEN...COLUMBUS...INLAND HORRY...COASTAL HORRY...INLAND
GEORGETOWN AND COASTAL GEORGETOWN.

FOR MARINE INTERESTS...A TROPICAL STORM WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE COASTAL
WATERS SOUTH OF LITTLE RIVER INLET.

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST NORTH
CAROLINA AND NORTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA. PLEASE LISTEN CLOSELY FOR
ANY FLOOD WARNINGS THAT MIGHT BE IN EFFECT FOR YOUR AREA.

.STORM INFORMATION...
AT 2 PM EDT...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRENE WAS LOCATED NEAR
LATITUDE 31.2N...LONGITUDE 77.5W. THIS WAS ABOUT 210 MILES SOUTH
OF WILMINGTON NC...OR ABOUT 190 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF MYRTLE
BEACH SC. STORM MOTION WAS N OR 360 DEGREES AT 14 MPH. STORM
INTENSITY WAS 100 MPH.

.SITUATION OVERVIEW...
RAIN BANDS FROM APPROACHING HURRICANE IRENE ARE OVERSPREADING THE
AREA. WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE THIS
AFTERNOON INTO TONIGHT AS HURRICANE IRENE APPROACHES THE
CAROLINAS. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS WILL OCCUR FROM LATE THIS
AFTERNOON THROUGH TONIGHT ALONG THE SOUTH CAROLINA COAST...AND
FROM TONIGHT INTO EARLY SATURDAY MORNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN NORTH
CAROLINA. DANGEROUS WAVES...STORM SURGE...AND STRONG WINDS ARE
EXPECTED TO BE THE LARGEST THREATS. WHEN MAKING DECISIONS DO NOT
FOCUS ON THE EXACT FORECAST TRACK. HURRICANE IRENE IS A LARGE
STORM AND ITS EFFECTS WILL EXTEND A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE WEST OF
THE STORM'S CENTER.

.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY IS RAPIDLY CLOSING FOR MAKING LAST
MINUTE PREPARATIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. WINDS
ARE EXPECTED TO REACH TROPICAL STORM STRENGTH LATE THIS
AFTERNOON...AT WHICH POINT PREPARATION SHOULD BE FINALIZED. WIND
SPEEDS WILL INCREASE FURTHER THIS EVENING...ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE
CAPE FEAR REGION...AS IRENE DRAWS CLOSER. EVACUATE IF DIRECTED TO
DO SO BY LOCAL OFFICIALS...OR IF YOUR HOME IS VULNERABLE TO HIGH
WINDS OR FLOODING.

FOR INTERESTS AT PORTS...DOCKS...AND MARINAS...URGENTLY COMPLETE
PRESCRIBED PREPARATIONS ACCORDING TO YOUR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
PLAN FOR TROPICAL CYCLONES. IF YOU LIVE ON A BOAT...MAKE FINAL
PREPARATIONS FOR SECURING YOUR CRAFT BEFORE LEAVING IT. BE SURE
TO ACCOUNT FOR THE POSSIBLE CLOSURE OF BRIDGES AND CAUSEWAYS.

REGARDING ANY COASTAL WATERS UNDER A WARNING...SMALL CRAFT SHOULD
REMAIN IN PORT AND WELL SECURED.

FOR ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONARY AND PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION...
PLEASE REFER TO THE DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS RELATIVE TO YOUR
LOCATION AS FURTHER DESCRIBED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE OFFICE AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

&&

.NEXT UPDATE...
THE NEXT LOCAL STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IN WILMINGTON AROUND 6 PM EDT...OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS
WARRANT.

NCZ105>110-270100-
/O.CON.KILM.HU.W.1009.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/
INLAND PENDER-COASTAL PENDER-INLAND NEW HANOVER-
COASTAL NEW HANOVER-INLAND BRUNSWICK-COASTAL BRUNSWICK-
246 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

...HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT...

...PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

MAKE ANY FINAL PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY.
COMPLETE PREPARING YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS BY CLOSING STORM
SHUTTERS AND BRACING GARAGE DOORS.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING EVACUATION
INFORMATION AND BRIDGE CLOSURES. KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS INFORMATION MAY
CHANGE. PLEASE MONITOR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR THE MOST CURRENT
EVACUATION AND CLOSURE INFORMATION.

FOR BRUNSWICK COUNTY...A MANDATORY EVACUATION HAS BEEN ORDERED
FOR HOLDEN BEACH. EVERYONE SHOULD BE OFF THE ISLAND BY 6 PM. A
MANDATORY EVACUATION HAS BEEN ORDERED FOR TOURISTS IN CASWELL
BEACH. EVACUATION IS VOLUNTARY BUT ENCOURAGED FOR RESIDENTS OF
CASWELL BEACH. ALL THREE HIGH SCHOOLS IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY OPENED
AT 2 PM FOR THOSE SEEKING SHELTER.

THE SUNSET BEACH BRIDGE WILL CLOSE AT 5 PM. THE HOLDEN BEACH
BRIDGE WILL CLOSE AT 6 PM. ACCORDING TO LOCAL OFFICIALS...THE OAK
ISLAND BRIDGES WILL CLOSE WHEN WIND SPEEDS REACH 40 MPH. THE
CURRENT FORECAST SHOWS THIS TO BE AROUND 5 PM. THE OCEAN ISLE
BRIDGE WILL CLOSE WHEN WIND SPEEDS REACH 50 MPH. THE CURRENT
FORECAST SHOWS THIS TO BE AROUND MIDNIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT.

FOR NEW HANOVER COUNTY...VOLUNTARY EVACUATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED
ALONG THE BEACH FRONT AND ANY LOW-LYING AREAS. DOROTHY B. JOHNSON
ELEMENTARY AND NOBLE MIDDLE SCHOOLS WILL BE OPEN AT 3 PM AS STORM
SHELTERS. FOR WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH...A CURFEW WILL BE IN EFFECT
FROM 10 PM FRIDAY NIGHT UNTIL 7 AM SATURDAY. UNCW IS UNDER A
VOLUNTARY EVACUATION AND ALL CLASSES AND EVENTS HAVE BEEN
CANCELLED FOR FRIDAY. A CAMPUS CURFEW WILL BE IN EFFECT AS OF 10 PM
FRIDAY NIGHT.

SNOWS CUT BRIDGE WILL CLOSE WHEN WIND SPEEDS REACH 45 MPH. WE
EXPECT THESE WIND SPEEDS TO BE REACHED BY 8 PM FRIDAY. THE CAPE
FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE WILL CLOSE TO BOAT TRAFFIC WHEN WIND SPEEDS
REACH 40 MPH. THESE WINDS SPEEDS ARE ALSO EXPECTED BY 8 PM. THE
CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE IS NOT EXPECTED TO CLOSE TO ROAD TRAFFIC
DUE TO WIND.

FOR PENDER COUNTY...THE TOWNS OF TOPSAIL BEACH AND SURF CITY HAVE
ENACTED ISLAND-ONLY CURFEWS FROM 8 PM FRIDAY UNTIL 12 PM SATURDAY. A
VOLUNTARY EVACUATION IS IN EFFECT FOR SURF CITY AND TOPSAIL BEACH.
BURGAW MIDDLE SCHOOL...MALPASS CORNER ELEMENTARY... AND TOPSAIL
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ARE THE PENDER COUNTY STORM SHELTERS...ALTHOUGH
THE NWS DOES NOT HAVE INFORMATION ON WHICH OF THESE WILL BE OPENED
OR WHEN.

IF EVACUATING...LEAVE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO GUARD AGAINST BEING
STRANDED ON ROADS WHEN DANGEROUS WINDS AND HEAVY RAINS ARRIVE. DO
NOT STAY IN A MOBILE OR MANUFACTURED HOME. REMEMBER...PETS ARE
NOT ALLOWED IN MOST OFFICIAL SHELTERS...SO CHECK AHEAD WITH YOUR
INTENDED SHELTER.

IF STAYING IN A HOME...TURN THE REFRIGERATOR TO ITS COLDEST
SETTING AND KEEP IT CLOSED. TURN OFF PROPANE TANKS AND UNPLUG
SMALL APPLIANCES. FILL THE BATHTUB WITH WATER IN CASE TAP WATER
BECOMES UNAVAILABLE AFTER THE STORM.

&&

...WINDS...
AS HURRICANE IRENE APPROACHES...SUSTAINED TROPICAL STORM FORCE
WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN EARLY THIS EVENING. MAXIMUM WINDS ARE
FORECAST TO BE IN THE 40 TO 50 MPH RANGE WITH GUSTS TO 70 MPH.
THE HIGHEST WINDS WILL OCCUR AT THE BEACHES. MINOR TO MODERATE
DAMAGE IS POSSIBLE TO MOBILE HOMES...ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT HAVE
CANOPIES...AWNINGS...OR CARPORTS. POORLY CONSTRUCTED HOMES MAY
SUSTAIN ROOF OR WALL DAMAGE. OTHER HOMES MAY HAVE MINOR ROOF AND
SIDING DAMAGE. SOME LOOSE OUTDOOR ITEMS WILL BE TOSSED AROUND AND
MAY CAUSE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE. SOME POWER LINES WILL BE KNOCKED
DOWN RESULTING IN SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES. SOME LARGE BRANCHES OF
HEALTHY TREES WILL BE SNAPPED. MOST NEWLY PLANTED TREES AND
SHRUBS WILL BE DAMAGED OR UPROOTED.

...STORM SURGE AND STORM TIDE...
AS HURRICANE IRENE APPROACHES THE COAST...COMBINED STORM SURGE
AND ASTRONOMICAL TIDE WATERS MAY REACH 4 TO 6 FEET ABOVE MEAN SEA
LEVEL NORTH OF CAPE FEAR...RESULTING IN A WORST CASE FLOOD
INUNDATION OF 1 TO 2 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL WITHIN THE SURGE
ZONE. SOUTH OF CAPE FEAR ALONG THE SOUTH-FACING BRUNSWICK COUNTY
BEACHES...STORM SURGE PLUS TIDE SHOULD ONLY REACH 3 FEET ABOVE
MEAN SEA LEVEL...WITH MINOR FLOODING OR OVERWASH POSSIBLE IN AREAS
WHERE THE DUNE STRUCTURE IS WEAKENED OR ABSENT.

MODERATE BEACH EROSION WILL OCCUR...WHICH MAY BECOME SUBSTANTIAL
IF THE HIGHEST STORM TIDE COINCIDES WITH ASTRONOMICAL HIGH TIDE.
HIGH TIDES WILL OCCUR THIS EVENING AROUND 630 PM...AND SATURDAY
MORNING AROUND 630 AM. WATCH FOR HIGH WATER AND POSSIBLE ROAD
CLOSURES IN LOW-LYING SPOTS NEAR THE BEACHES AND TIDAL CREEKS.

...INLAND FLOODING...
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 5 TO
8 INCHES ARE EXPECTED...WITH UP TO 10 INCHES POSSIBLE...
ESPECIALLY NEAR THE IMMEDIATE COAST.

...COASTAL HAZARDS...
LARGE AND VERY DANGEROUS SURF IS EXPECTED TODAY WITH BREAKING
WAVES OF 8 TO 12 FEET. THE RIP CURRENT RISK WILL ALSO BE HIGH.
THESE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS WILL PERSIST THROUGH SATURDAY
AFTERNOON.

$$

SCZ053>056-270100-
/O.CON.KILM.TR.W.1009.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/
INLAND HORRY-COASTAL HORRY-INLAND GEORGETOWN-COASTAL GEORGETOWN-
246 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT...

...PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

FINAL PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO
COMPLETION IF YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY. GUSTY WINDS AND HEAVY RAINS
CAN CAUSE OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES TO BECOME DANGEROUS. SECURE LOOSE
OUTDOOR OBJECTS WHICH CAN BE BLOWN AROUND. IF YOU LIVE IN A MOBILE
HOME...CONSIDER LEAVING IT FOR MORE SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER.

&&

...WINDS...
AS HURRICANE IRENE APPROACHES...SUSTAINED TROPICAL STORM FORCE
WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN LATE THIS AFTERNOON. MAXIMUM WINDS ARE
FORECAST TO BE IN THE 35 TO 45 MPH RANGE WITH GUSTS TO 60 MPH.
MINOR TO MODERATE DAMAGE IS POSSIBLE TO MOBILE HOMES...ESPECIALLY
THOSE THAT HAVE CANOPIES...AWNINGS...OR CARPORTS. POORLY
CONSTRUCTED HOMES MAY SUSTAIN ROOF DAMAGE. SOME LOOSE OUTDOOR
ITEMS WILL BE TOSSED AROUND AND MAY CAUSE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE. SOME
POWER LINES WILL BE KNOCKED DOWN RESULTING IN SCATTERED POWER
OUTAGES. SOME LARGE BRANCHES OF HEALTHY TREES WILL BE SNAPPED.
MOST NEWLY PLANTED TREES AND SHRUBS WILL BE DAMAGED OR UPROOTED.

...STORM SURGE AND STORM TIDE...
THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF ASTRONOMICAL TIDES AND TIDES RAISED BY
THE STORM'S STRONG WINDS COULD CREATE A STORM SURGE IN THE 2 TO 4 FOOT
RANGE.

MODERATE BEACH EROSION WILL OCCUR...WHICH MAY BECOME SUBSTANTIAL
IF THE HIGHEST STORM TIDE COINCIDES WITH ASTRONOMICAL HIGH TIDE.
HIGH TIDES WILL OCCUR THIS EVENING AROUND 630 PM...AND SATURDAY
MORNING AROUND 630 AM. WATCH FOR AREAS OF HIGH WATER AND POSSIBLE
ROAD CLOSURES IN LOW-LYING SPOTS NEAR THE BEACHES AND TIDAL
CREEKS.

...INLAND FLOODING...
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO
5 INCHES ARE EXPECTED...WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE. THE
HIGHEST AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED NEAR AND NORTH OF MYRTLE BEACH...
WITH LESSER AMOUNTS...AROUND 2 INCHES...FORECAST FARTHER INLAND.

...COASTAL HAZARDS...
LARGE AND VERY DANGEROUS SURF IS EXPECTED TODAY WITH BREAKING
WAVES OF 5 TO 8 FEET. THE RIP CURRENT RISK WILL BE HIGH. THESE
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS WILL PERSIST INTO THE DAY SATURDAY.

$$

NCZ096-099-270100-
/O.CON.KILM.TR.W.1009.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/
BLADEN-COLUMBUS-
246 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT...

...PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

OUTSIDE PREPARATIONS SHOULD BE COMPLETED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF
YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY. GUSTY WINDS AND HEAVY RAINS CAN CAUSE
OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES TO BECOME DANGEROUS. SECURE LOOSE OUTDOOR
OBJECTS WHICH CAN BE BLOWN AROUND.

&&

...WINDS...
THE LATEST AREA FORECAST IS FOR MAXIMUM WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH
WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH. MINOR DAMAGE IS POSSIBLE TO MOBILE HOMES...
ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT HAVE CANOPIES...AWNINGS...OR CARPORTS.
POORLY CONSTRUCTED HOMES MAY SUSTAIN MINOR DAMAGE. SOME LOOSE
OUTDOOR ITEMS WILL BE TOSSED AROUND AND MAY CAUSE ADDITIONAL
DAMAGE. A FEW POWER LINES WILL BE KNOCKED DOWN RESULTING IN
SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES. SOME LARGE BRANCHES OF HEALTHY TREES MAY
BE SNAPPED. MOST NEWLY PLANTED TREES AND SHRUBS WILL BE DAMAGED
OR UPROOTED.

...INLAND FLOODING...
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO
4 INCHES ARE EXPECTED WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE. THE
HIGHEST AMOUNTS ARE ANTICIPATED IN THE EASTERN PORTIONS OF BLADEN
AND COLUMBUS COUNTIES.

$$

AMZ250-252-270100-
/O.CON.KILM.HU.W.1009.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/
SURF CITY TO CAPE FEAR NC OUT 20 NM-
CAPE FEAR NC TO LITTLE RIVER INLET SC OUT 20 NM-
246 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

...HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT...

...PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

BOAT OWNERS AND CAPTAINS OF SMALL CRAFT SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED ANY
PLANS TO SECURE OF THEIR BOATS FOR THE STORM.

&&

...WINDS AND SEAS...
GUSTS TO TROPICAL STORM FORCE ARE ALREADY OCCURRING. SUSTAINED
TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS WILL DEVELOP LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND
WILL INCREASE TO HURRICANE FORCE AFTER MIDNIGHT AND PERSIST INTO
EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. MAXIMUM WINDS ARE FORECAST TO BE IN THE 50
TO 70 KNOT RANGE WITH GUSTS AS HIGH AS 90 KNOTS AWAY FROM SHORE.
SEAS WILL RANGE FROM 10 TO 12 FEET NEARSHORE TO AS HIGH AS 25 FEET
AT 20 MILES DISTANCE FROM SHORE.


$$

AMZ254-256-270100-
/O.CON.KILM.TR.W.1009.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/
LITTLE RIVER INLET TO MURRELLS INLET SC OUT 20 NM-
MURRELLS INLET TO SOUTH SANTEE RIVER SC OUT 20 NM-
246 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT...

...PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

BOAT OWNERS AND CAPTAINS OF SMALL CRAFT SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED ANY
PLANS TO SECURE OF THEIR BOATS FOR THE STORM.

&&

...WINDS AND SEAS...
GUSTS TO TROPICAL STORM FORCE ARE ALREADY OCCURRING. SUSTAINED
TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP LATE THIS
AFTERNOON. MAXIMUM WINDS ARE FORECAST TO BE IN THE 40 TO 50 KNOT
RANGE WITH GUSTS AS HIGH AS 65 KNOTS AWAY FROM SHORE. SEAS WILL
RANGE FROM 10 FEET NEARSHORE TO 18 FEET AT 20 MILES DISTANCE FROM
SHORE.


$$

CRM





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