[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047>052-101230-

Hurricane Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 44
National Weather Service Charleston SC  AL112017
1229 AM EDT Sun Sep 10 2017

This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia

**SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS FROM HURRICANE IRMA EXPECTED ACROSS THE AREA
INTO TUESDAY**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None


* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Hurricane
      Watch are in effect for Beaufort, Coastal Bryan, Coastal
      Chatham, Coastal Colleton, Coastal Jasper, Coastal Liberty,
      Coastal McIntosh, and Inland Chatham
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Charleston and Tidal Berkeley
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Allendale, Bulloch,
      Candler, Dorchester, Effingham, Evans, Hampton, Inland
      Berkeley, Inland Colleton, Jenkins, Long, Screven, and Tattnall
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Inland Bryan, Inland Jasper, Inland Liberty, and Inland McIntosh

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 640 miles south of Charleston SC or about 590 miles south
      of Savannah GA
    - 23.5N 81.0W
    - Storm Intensity 120 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 305 degrees at 6 mph

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

The center of Hurricane Irma is expected to track well south and
west of our region through Tuesday. However, Irma is a large hurricane
and will produce impacts across our area. Tropical storm- force winds
are expected across southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina,
with the potential for hurricane force wind gusts along the coast
between Altamaha Sound and Edisto Beach. These strong winds will lead
to life-threatening inundation from storm surge along the coast from
the Altamaha Sound to the Santee River, especially on the sea islands
around the time of the Monday afternoon high tide. Additionally,
expect numerous downed trees and power lines, leading to power
outages. Flash flooding and tornadoes are also possible, especially
along the coast and across interior southeast Georgia Sunday night
into Monday night.

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

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across across low-lying coastal locations in southeast
South Carolina and north coastal Georgia. Potential impacts in
this area include:
    - Areas of inundation of saltwater along immediate shorelines and
      in low-lying spots farther inland near rivers and creeks, with
      storm surge flooding accentuated by waves. Damage to several
      buildings, mainly near the coast.
    - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
      weakened or washed out, especially in normally vulnerable low
      spots.
    - Moderate to major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching
      dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents.
    - Minor to moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and
      piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings,
      especially in unprotected anchorages. Some navigation aids
      possibly displaced well off station, creating difficult
      navigation near inlets and waterways.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across southeast Georgia, especially south of I-16.
Potential impacts include:
    - Major rainfall flooding could prompt many rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries could rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple locations. Small streams, creeks, canals, ditches may
      become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers
      could become stressed.
    - Flood waters could enter many structures within multiple
      communities; some structures become uninhabitable or are washed
      away. Flood waters could cover multiple escape routes. Streets
      and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses
      submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and
      bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
    - Drinking water and sewer services could be negatively impacted.
    - Hazardous containers and materials could possibly be present in
      flood waters.

Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts north of I-16 in southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina.

* WIND:
Prepare for dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across
southeast Georgia, mainly south and west of the Savannah metro area.
Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
      to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
      experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile
      homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight
      objects become dangerous projectiles.
    - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
      numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. A few bridges and access routes
      impassable.
    - Travel by vehicle or on foot increasingly difficult. Danger of
      death or injury from falling objects such as trees or electric
      wires outside.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines, which could persist for hours
      or days.
    - Some poorly secured small craft could break loose from their
      moorings.

Also, prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across the Savannah River region and southeast South Carolina.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across mainly coastal areas in north coastal Georgia and
south coastal South Carolina. Potential impacts include:
    - Isolated to scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of
      emergency plans.
    - Scattered locations could experience enhanced damage due to
      tornadoes with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss,
      and communications failures.
    - Scattered locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses,
      mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees
      snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed
      about.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Consider evacuating, especially if being officially recommended to do
so by local authorities. Relocate to a predetermined shelter or safe
destination.

* 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.

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 6 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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