[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS82 KILM 262126
HLSILM

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

...LARGE 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
ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS FROM LITTLE RIVER INLET 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
ATLANTIC 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 5 PM EDT...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRENE WAS LOCATED NEAR
LATITUDE 31.7N...LONGITUDE 77.4W. THIS WAS ABOUT 180 MILES SOUTH
OF WILMINGTON NC...OR ABOUT 160 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF MYRTLE
BEACH SC. STORM MOTION WAS N OR 360 DEGREES AT 14 MPH. MAXIMUM
SUSTAINED WINDS WERE 100 MPH.

.SITUATION OVERVIEW...
WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE THIS EVENING AS
RAIN BANDS FROM APPROACHING HURRICANE IRENE OVERSPREAD THE AREA.
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS WILL OCCUR 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...

PREPARATIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE
COMPLETED AT THIS TIME. EVACUATE IF DIRECTED TO DO SO BY LOCAL
OFFICIALS...OR IF YOUR HOME IS VULNERABLE TO HIGH WINDS OR
FLOODING.

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 9 PM EDT...OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS
WARRANT.

NCZ105>110-270330-
/O.CON.KILM.HU.W.1009.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/
INLAND PENDER-COASTAL PENDER-INLAND NEW HANOVER-
COASTAL NEW HANOVER-INLAND BRUNSWICK-COASTAL BRUNSWICK-
526 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

...HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT...

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

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 ARE OPEN FOR
THOSE SEEKING SHELTER. BRUNSWICK COUNTY RESIDENTS NEEDING TO
EVACUATE WITH PETS SHOULD USE THE SHELTER AT BRUNSWICK WEST HIGH
SCHOOL.

THE SUNSET BEACH BRIDGE IS CLOSED AS OF 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 EARLY THIS EVENING. THE OCEAN
ISLE BRIDGE WILL CLOSE WHEN WIND SPEEDS REACH 50 MPH. THE CURRENT
FORECAST SHOWS THIS TO BE LATE THIS EVENING.

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 ARE OPEN AS STORM SHELTERS.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY RESIDENTS NEEDING TO EVACUATE WITH DOGS AND
CATS SHOULD USE THE SHELTER AT NOBLE MIDDLE SCHOOL. FOR
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH...A CURFEW WILL BE IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM TONIGHT
UNTIL 7 AM SATURDAY. UNCW IS UNDER A VOLUNTARY EVACUATION AND A
CAMPUS CURFEW WILL BE IN EFFECT AS OF 10 PM TONIGHT.

SNOWS CUT BRIDGE WILL CLOSE WHEN WIND SPEEDS REACH 45 MPH. WE
EXPECT THESE WIND SPEEDS TO BE REACHED EARLY THIS EVENING. THE
CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE WILL CLOSE TO BOAT TRAFFIC WHEN WIND
SPEEDS REACH 40 MPH. THESE WIND SPEEDS ARE ALSO EXPECTED BY EARLY
EVENING. 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 TONIGHT UNTIL NOON SATURDAY.
A VOLUNTARY EVACUATION IS IN EFFECT FOR SURF CITY AND TOPSAIL
BEACH. BURGAW MIDDLE SCHOOL...MALPASS CORNER ELEMENTARY... AND
TOPSAIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ARE OPEN AS STORM SHELTERS. RESIDENTS
NEEDING TO EVACUATE WITH DOGS OR CATS SHOULD USE THE SHELTER AT
BURGAW MIDDLE SCHOOL.

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. IF YOU HAVE PETS...USE
THE NEAREST PET-FRIENDLY 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>056-270330-
/O.CON.KILM.TR.W.1009.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/
INLAND HORRY-COASTAL HORRY-INLAND GEORGETOWN-COASTAL GEORGETOWN-
526 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

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

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

FINAL PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT PROPERTY SHOULD ALREADY BE
COMPLETED AT THIS TIME. 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.

$$

NCZ096-099-270330-
/O.CON.KILM.TR.W.1009.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/
BLADEN-COLUMBUS-
526 PM EDT FRI AUG 26 2011

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

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

PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD ALREADY BE
COMPLETED.

&&

...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.

$$

AMZ250-252-270330-
/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-
526 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...
SUSTAINED TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS 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.

$$

AMZ254-256-270330-
/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-
526 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...
SUSTAINED TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS HAVE ARRIVED AND WILL
CONTINUE THROUGH THE NIGHT. 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.

$$

RAS/CRM




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