[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS82 KCHS 111539
HLSCHS
GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047>052-112345-

Tropical Storm Irma Local Statement Advisory Number 50
National Weather Service Charleston SC  AL112017
1139 AM EDT Mon Sep 11 2017

This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia

**SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS FROM TROPICAL STORM IRMA THROUGH TONIGHT**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning 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 is in effect for Inland Bryan, Inland
      Jasper, Inland Liberty, and Inland McIntosh

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 250 miles southwest of Charleston SC or about 170 miles
      southwest of Savannah GA
    - 30.3N 83.1W
    - Storm Intensity 65 mph
    - Movement North-northwest or 340 degrees at 17 mph

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

The center of Tropical Storm Irma will move into southern
Georgia this afternoon while steadily weakening. Irma is a large
tropical storm that is producing significant impacts across southeast
South Carolina and southeast Georgia. Life-threatening inundation will
occur along the coast around the time of high tide into this
afternoon. Flash flooding will be possible, with the highest chances
occurring across southeast Georgia and the coastal counties of
southeast South Carolina today. Tropical storm-force winds will
continue impacting much of the region through the evening, with a low
probability of near hurricane force gusts. The risk for tornadoes
continues into early this evening.

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

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
coastal South Carolina and Georgia. Remain well away from life-threatening
surge. If realized, these impacts 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.

Elsewhere across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia,
little to no impact is anticipated.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia. Remain well guarded
against life-threatening flood waters having possible extensive impacts.
If realized, these 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.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia. Remain well sheltered from
dangerous wind having additional significant impacts. If
realized, these impacts 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.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across southeast
South Carolina and southeast Georgia. Remain well braced against a
tornado event having possible limited impacts. If
realized, these impacts include:
    - Isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans.
    - Isolated locations could experience tornado damage, along with
      power and communications disruptions.
    - In isolated locations, tornadoes could damage trees, vehicles,
      boats and buildings, especially mobile homes and other poorly
      constructed structures.

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

* EVACUATIONS:

Do not return to evacuated areas due to hazardous conditions.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to remain safely sheltered from the storm. Stay
inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case
you lose electrical power. Locate your battery powered radio and
flashlight from your Emergency Supplies Kit. Keep these items close.

During the peak of the storm, keep your shoes on and rain gear handy.
Boots and tennis shoes offer the best foot protection if you become
unexpectedly exposed to the elements.

Continue to keep your cell phone well charged for as long as
possible. If you lose power, use it more sparingly and mainly for
personal emergencies and check-ins. Do not overload communications
systems with idle chatter.

Be ready to move to the identified safe room if your home or shelter
begins to fail. Quickly move to an interior room on the lowest floor.
Put as many sturdy walls between you and the storm as you can.
Protect your head and body.

* 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 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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