[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Wed Oct 5 17:08:26 CDT 2016

WTUS82 KCHS 052208
HLSCHS
GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047>052-060615-

HURRICANE MATTHEW LOCAL STATEMENT ADVISORY NUMBER 31
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC  AL142016
608 PM EDT WED OCT 5 2016

THIS PRODUCT COVERS SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA

HURRICANE MATTHEW TO IMPACT THE SOUTHEAST GEORGIA COAST THIS WEEKEND. RESIDENTS
AND VISITORS TO SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA ARE STRONGLY
ENCOURAGED TO MONITOR THE LATEST TRACK AND INTENSITY FORECASTS FROM THE NATIONAL
HURRICANE CENTER.

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - NONE

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR INLAND BRYAN...COASTAL
      BRYAN...INLAND CHATHAM...COASTAL CHATHAM...INLAND
      LIBERTY...COASTAL LIBERTY...INLAND MCINTOSH AND COASTAL MCINTOSH
    - A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR EFFINGHAM...LONG

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - ABOUT 750 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF CHARLESTON SC OR ABOUT 730
      MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF SAVANNAH GA
    - 22.5N 75.7W
    - STORM INTENSITY 120 MPH
    - MOVEMENT NORTHWEST OR 320 DEGREES AT 12 MPH

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

HURRICANE MATTHEW IS ANTICIPATED TO TRACK NORTH/NORTHWEST FROM THE
BAHAMAS TOWARD CENTRAL FLORIDA TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY...BEFORE
TURNING NORTH AND TRACKING NEAR/ALONG THE SOUTHEAST COAST INTO THE
WEEKEND. MATTHEW COULD APPROACH THE AREA AS A CATEGORY 2 OR POSSIBLY
CATEGORY 3 HURRICANE. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS FROM MATTHEW WILL
LIKELY SPREAD NORTH ACROSS THE AREA AHEAD/ALONG THE PATH OF THE
STORM...POSSIBLY REACHING SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH
CAROLINA AS EARLY AS FRIDAY AFTERNOON INTO FRIDAY EVENING. IMPACTS
FROM MATTHEW COULD OCCUR AS FAR WEST ALONG A LINE FROM DONALD TO
SPRINGFIELD IN SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND ROUGHLY I-95 IN SOUTHEAST SOUTH
CAROLINA DURING ITS CLOSEST APPROACH. AT THIS TIME...THE RISK FOR A
LANDFALLING HURRICANE TO THE AREA REMAINS SOMEWHAT LOW AND UNCERTAIN
SO THE GREATEST IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STORM ARE CURRENTLY
FORECAST NEAR THE COAST. SINCE THE TRACK AND INTENSITY OF HURRICANE
MATTHEW HAS A HIGH DEGREE OF UNCERTAINTY...ANY SHIFT IN THE
ANTICIPATED TRACK COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO IMPACTS
OVER THE AREA.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS ARE FORECAST TO REACH COASTAL SOUTHEAST
GEORGIA LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON INTO EARLY EVENING...THEN NORTH ALONG
COASTAL SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA FRIDAY NIGHT. SUSTAINED WINDS COULD
REACH AS HIGH AS 40-50 MPH INLAND TO 60-70 MPH NEAR THE COAST. THESE
WINDS COULD DAMAGE TREES AND WEAKER STRUCTURES AND RESULT IN
WIDESPREAD POWER OUTAGES. THE THREAT FOR TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS
OR HIGHER SHOULD BEGIN TO DECREASE SATURDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY MORNING
SUNDAY. THE THREAT FOR HURRICANE FORCE WINDS WILL INCREASE FOR
LOCATIONS NEAR THE COAST LATE FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY...THEN
LOWER AS MATTHEW SHIFTS AWAY FROM THE COAST.

THE LATEST TRACK OF MATTHEW COULD PRODUCE HEAVY RAINFALL OVER THE
AREA...ESPECIALLY NEAR THE COAST. STORM TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS
RANGING FROM 5-10 INCHES WITH ISOLATED AMOUNTS OF 12 INCHES ARE
POSSIBLE THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT. THESE RAINFALL
AMOUNTS COULD RESULT IN EXTENSIVE FRESH WATER FLOODING...ESPECIALLY
DURING THE TIMES OF HIGH TIDE AND MAXIMUM STORM SURGE NEAR THE COAST
THIS WEEKEND.

THE MOST LIKELY STORM SURGE SCENARIO ASSOCIATED WITH HURRICANE
MATTHEW IS 5 TO 7 FEET OF WATER ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. STORM SURGE
FORECASTS COULD BE HIGHER/LOWER DEPENDING ON THE TRACK AND INTENSITY
OF MATTHEW AS IT APPROACHES THE AREA THIS WEEKEND. THE COMBINATION
OF STORM SURGE AND WAVES COULD RESULT IN MAJOR COASTAL FLOODING AND
SEVERE BEACH EROSION. HOMES...STRUCTURES AND ROADS NEAR/ALONG
BEACHES COULD BE COMPROMISED. THE THREAT FOR DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS
WILL ALSO INCREASE WITH THE APPROACH OF MATTHEW LATE WEEK INTO THE
WEEKEND.

THE THREAT FOR TORNADOES WILL REMAIN LOW GIVEN THE CENTER OF
HURRICANE MATTHEW IS ANTICIPATED TO REMAIN OFFSHORE.
HOWEVER...THERE IS A RISK OF AN ISOLATED WATERSPOUT MOVING ONSHORE
FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY UNTIL MATTHEW SHIFTS FURTHER OFFSHORE LATER
SATURDAY.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* SURGE:
PREPARE FOR LIFE-THREATENING SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE EXTENSIVE IMPACTS
ACROSS SOUTHEAST GEORGIA. POTENTIAL IMPACTS IN THIS AREA
INCLUDE:
    - LARGE AREAS OF DEEP INUNDATION OF SALTWATER ALONG IMMEDIATE
      SHORELINES AND IN LOW-LYING SPOTS FARTHER INLAND NEAR RIVERS
      AND CREEKS, WITH STORM SURGE FLOODING ACCENTUATED BY BATTERING
      WAVES. STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO BUILDINGS, WITH SEVERAL WASHING
      AWAY. DAMAGE COMPOUNDED BY FLOATING DEBRIS. LOCATIONS MAY BE
      UNINHABITABLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD.
    - LARGE SECTIONS OF NEAR-SHORE ESCAPE ROUTES AND SECONDARY ROADS
      WASHED OUT OR FLOODED AND IMPASSABLE. FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEMS AND
      BARRIERS COULD BECOME STRESSED.
    - SEVERE BEACH EROSION WITH SIGNIFICANT DUNE LOSS.
    - MAJOR DAMAGE TO MARINAS, DOCKS, BOARDWALKS, AND PIERS. MANY
      SMALL CRAFT BROKEN AWAY FROM MOORINGS, ESPECIALLY IN
      UNPROTECTED ANCHORAGES, WITH SOME LIFTED ONSHORE AND STRANDED.
    - DRINKING WATER AND SEWER SERVICES NEGATIVELY IMPACTED.
    - HAZARDOUS CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS POSSIBLY PRESENT IN SURGE
      WATERS.

ALSO, PREPARE FOR LIFE-THREATENING SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANT
IMPACTS ACROSS SOUTHEAST GEORGIA.

ALSO, PREPARE FOR LOCALLY HAZARDOUS SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED
IMPACTS ACROSS SOUTHEAST GEORGIA.

ELSEWHERE ACROSS SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA,
LITTLE TO NO IMPACT IS ANTICIPATED.

* WIND:
PREPARE FOR LIFE-THREATENING WIND HAVING POSSIBLE EXTENSIVE IMPACTS
ACROSS SOUTHEAST GEORGIA. POTENTIAL IMPACTS IN THIS AREA
INCLUDE:
    - CONSIDERABLE ROOF DAMAGE TO STURDY BUILDINGS, WITH SOME HAVING
      WINDOW, DOOR, AND GARAGE DOOR FAILURES LEADING TO STRUCTURAL
      DAMAGE. MOBILE HOMES SEVERELY DAMAGED, WITH SOME DESTROYED.
      DAMAGE ACCENTUATED BY AIRBORNE PROJECTILES. SOME LOCATIONS MAY
      BE UNINHABITABLE FOR WEEKS.
    - DANGEROUS TO SHELTER EVEN IN WELL-CONSTRUCTED BUILDINGS.
      IMMEDIATE DANGER OF DEATH OR INJURY FROM FALLING OBJECTS AND
      AIRBORNE PROJECTILES OUTSIDE.
    - MANY LARGE TREES SNAPPED OR UPROOTED ALONG WITH FENCES AND
      ROADWAY SIGNS BLOWN OVER.
    - SOME ROADS IMPASSABLE FROM LARGE DEBRIS, AND MORE WITHIN URBAN
      OR HEAVILY WOODED LOCATIONS. SEVERAL BRIDGES AND ACCESS ROUTES
      IMPASSABLE.
    - LARGE AREAS WITH POWER AND COMMUNICATIONS OUTAGES, WHICH COULD
      PERSIST FOR DAYS.
    - SEVERAL POORLY SECURED SMALL CRAFT MAY BREAK FREE FROM MOORINGS.

ALSO, PREPARE FOR DANGEROUS WIND HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED TO
SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ACROSS SOUTHEAST GEORGIA.

* FLOODING RAIN:
PREPARE FOR LOCALLY HAZARDOUS RAINFALL FLOODING HAVING POSSIBLE
LIMITED IMPACTS ACROSS SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST
GEORGIA. POTENTIAL IMPACTS INCLUDE:
    - LOCALIZED RAINFALL FLOODING COULD PROMPT A FEW EVACUATIONS.
    - RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES COULD QUICKLY RISE WITH SWIFTER
      CURRENTS. SMALL STREAMS, CREEKS, CANALS, AND DITCHES COULD
      BECOME SWOLLEN AND OVERFLOW IN SPOTS.
    - FLOOD WATERS CAN ENTER A FEW STRUCTURES, ESPECIALLY IN NORMALLY
      VULNERABLE SPOTS. RAPID PONDING OF WATER COULD OCCUR AT
      UNDERPASSES, LOW-LYING SPOTS, AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS. SEVERAL
      STORM DRAINS AND RETENTION PONDS BECOME NEAR-FULL AND BEGIN TO
      OVERFLOW. SOME BRIEF ROAD AND BRIDGE CLOSURES.

* TORNADOES:
LITTLE TO NO IMPACTS ARE ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME ACROSS SOUTHEAST SOUTH
CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
WATCH/WARNING PHASE - FOR THOSE UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS, LEAVE AS
SOON AS PRACTICAL WITH A DESTINATION IN MIND. GAS UP YOUR VEHICLE
WELL AHEAD OF TIME. BE SURE THAT YOU TAKE ALL ESSENTIAL MATERIALS
FROM YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES KIT. LET OTHERS KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING
AND WHEN YOU INTEND TO ARRIVE. IF EVACUATING THE AREA, STICK TO
PRESCRIBED EVACUATION ROUTES. LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC INFORMATION
ON ROADWAY SMART SIGNS AND LISTEN TO SELECT RADIO CHANNELS FOR FURTHER
TRAVEL INSTRUCTIONS. DRIVERS SHOULD NOT USE CELL PHONES WHILE OPERATING
VEHICLES.

WATCH/WARNING PHASE - FOR THOSE NOT UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS,
UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE INHERENT RISKS TO EVACUATION SUCH AS
TRAFFIC CONGESTION, ACCIDENTS, AND DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER, SO
EVACUATE ONLY IF NECESSARY. HELP KEEP ROADWAYS OPEN FOR THOSE THAT
ARE UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
NOW IS THE TIME TO CHECK YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN AND TAKE NECESSARY
ACTIONS TO SECURE YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS. DELIBERATE EFFORTS SHOULD BE
UNDERWAY TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. ENSURE THAT YOUR EMERGENCY
SUPPLIES KIT IS STOCKED AND READY.

WHEN MAKING SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS DECISIONS, DO NOT FOCUS ON THE
EXACT FORECAST TRACK AS THERE ARE INHERENT FORECAST UNCERTAINTIES
WHICH MUST BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

IF YOU LIVE IN A PLACE THAT IS PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO HIGH WIND,
SUCH AS A MOBILE HOME, AN UPPER FLOOR OF A HIGH RISE BUILDING, OR ON
A BOAT, PLAN TO MOVE TO SAFE SHELTER. TAKE ENOUGH SUPPLIES FOR YOU
AND YOUR FAMILY FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

IF YOU LIVE IN A PLACE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO FLOODING, SUCH AS
NEAR THE OCEAN OR A LARGE INLAND LAKE, IN A LOW LYING OR POOR
DRAINAGE AREA, OR NEAR AN ALREADY SWOLLEN RIVER, PLAN TO MOVE TO SAFE
SHELTER ON HIGHER GROUND

ALWAYS HEED THE ADVICE OF LOCAL OFFICIALS AND COMPLY WITH ANY ORDERS
THAT ARE ISSUED. DO NOT NEEDLESSLY JEOPARDIZE YOUR LIFE OR THE LIVES
OF OTHERS.

WHEN SECURING YOUR PROPERTY, OUTSIDE PREPARATIONS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE CONDITIONS DETERIORATE. THE ONSET OF
STRONG GUSTY WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN CAN CAUSE CERTAIN PREPAREDNESS
ACTIVITIES TO BECOME UNSAFE.

BE SURE TO LET FRIENDS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS KNOW OF YOUR
INTENTIONS AND WHEREABOUTS FOR SURVIVING THE STORM. FOR EMERGENCY
PURPOSES, HAVE SOMEONE LOCATED AWAY FROM THE THREATENED AREA SERVE AS
YOUR POINT OF CONTACT. SHARE VITAL CONTACT INFORMATION WITH OTHERS.
KEEP CELL PHONES HANDY AND WELL CHARGED.

BE A GOOD SAMARITAN AND CHECK ON THOSE WHO MAY NOT BE FULLY AWARE OF
THE SITUATION OR WHO ARE UNABLE TO MAKE PERSONAL PREPARATIONS.

VISITORS TO THE AREA SHOULD BECOME FAMILIAR WITH NEARBY SURROUNDINGS.
IF YOU ARE A VISITOR, KNOW THE NAME OF THE COUNTY OR PARISH IN WHICH
YOU ARE LOCATED AND WHERE IT IS RELATIVE TO CURRENT WATCHES AND
WARNINGS. IF STAYING AT A HOTEL, ASK THE MANAGEMENT STAFF ABOUT THEIR
ONSITE DISASTER PLAN. LISTEN FOR EVACUATION ORDERS, ESPECIALLY
PERTAINING TO AREA VISITORS.

CLOSELY MONITOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS FOR
OFFICIAL STORM INFORMATION. LISTEN FOR POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THE
FORECAST.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- FOR INFORMATION ON APPROPRIATE PREPARATIONS SEE READY.GOV
- FOR INFORMATION ON CREATING AN EMERGENCY PLAN SEE GETAGAMEPLAN.ORG
- FOR ADDITIONAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION SEE REDCROSS.ORG

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

THE NEXT LOCAL STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IN CHARLESTON SC AROUND 11 PM EDT, OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS
WARRANT.

$$
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