[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Maria Local Statement Advisory Number 42
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC  AL152017
1138 AM EDT Tue Sep 26 2017

This product covers Eastern North Carolina

**TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS NEARING THE NORTH CAROLINA OUTER BANKS**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Storm Surge Watch has been cancelled for Craven and Pamlico
    - The Storm Surge Watch has been upgraded to a Storm Surge
      Warning for Outer Banks Dare and Outer Banks Hyde

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Craven and Pamlico
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect
      for Carteret, Mainland Dare, Mainland Hyde, and Tyrrell
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Outer Banks Dare and Outer Banks Hyde

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 180 miles southeast of Buxton NC or about 220 miles
      east-southeast of Morehead City NC
    - 33.6N 73.1W
    - Storm Intensity 75 mph
    - Movement North or 360 degrees at 7 mph

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

Hurricane Maria located about 180 miles south-southeast of Cape
Hatteras and is moving north at 7 mph and will continue on this track
for the next several days with a slower forward speed expected through
tonight. Maria is forecast to move between 100 and 150 miles offshore
of the North Carolina coast tonight through Wednesday Night. Tropical
Storm force winds of 35 to 45 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph are
expected to spread along the coast this afternoon and continue into
Wednesday night. The strongest winds are expected north of Cape
Lookout and especially over the Outer Banks.

The prolonged gusty north to northeast winds will lead to storm surge
inundation of 2 to 4 feet above ground level mainly for the beaches
north of Cape Hatteras and adjacent to the southern Pamlico Sound
including Cedar Island, Clubfoot Creek, Adams Creek, South River,
and soundside areas of Hatteras Island and Ocracoke. Maria will also
produce minor to moderate coastal flooding with ocean overwash likely
in vulnerable spots around the times of high tide. The very rough surf
will continue the risk of life threatening rip currents as well as
beach erosion along all beaches.

Heaviest rainfall will be confined to mainly the immediate coast with
amounts of 1 to 2 inches. This should produce only minor flooding of
low lying areas.

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

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
southern and western portions of the Pamlico Sound, the
middle and southern portion of the Alligator River, along the south
side of the Neuse River in Carteret and southern Craven counties, and
adjacent to Core Sound. Oceanside storm surge impacts are expected
across Dare County north of Cape Hatteras. Remain well away from
life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts. If
realized, these impacts include:
    - Areas of inundation 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 usually vulnerable low
      spots.
    - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
      numerous rip currents.
    - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
      Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages.

Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
across across areas adjacent to Bogue Sound. Remain well away from
locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts.

Elsewhere across Eastern North Carolina, little to no impact is
anticipated.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
Eastern North Carolina. Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind
having possible limited impacts. If realized,
these impacts include:
    - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
      mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
    - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
      uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
      shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
      bridges and other elevated roadways.
    - Scattered power and communications outages.

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
Large surf will bring a high threat of life threatening rip currents,
dangerous shore break and beach erosion across all Eastern North Carolina
beaches. It is recommended that you stay out of the surf zone.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time
across Eastern North Carolina.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Do not return to evacuated areas until
hazardous winds diminish and flood waters abate.

* 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.

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.

Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos. Be wise and avoid becoming another statistic.

* 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 Newport/Morehead City NC around 5 PM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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