[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS82 KGSP 110819
HLSGSP
GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065-068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-111630-

Tropical Storm Michael Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 18A
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC  AL142018
419 AM EDT Thu Oct 11 2018

This product covers the western Carolinas and NE Georgia

**Michael will impact the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia
through evening**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Alexander,
      Anderson, Avery, Buncombe, Burke Mountains, Cabarrus, Caldwell
      Mountains, Catawba, Cherokee, Cleveland, Davie, Eastern
      McDowell, Eastern Polk, Gaston, Greater Burke, Greater
      Caldwell, Greater Greenville, Greater Oconee, Greater Pickens,
      Greater Rutherford, Greenville Mountains, Hart, Haywood,
      Henderson, Iredell, Lincoln, McDowell Mountains, Mecklenburg,
      Mitchell, Northern Jackson, Oconee Mountains, Pickens
      Mountains, Polk Mountains, Rowan, Rutherford Mountains,
      Southern Jackson, Spartanburg, Transylvania, and Yancey

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Abbeville, Alexander,
      Anderson, Avery, Buncombe, Burke Mountains, Cabarrus, Caldwell
      Mountains, Catawba, Cherokee, Chester, Cleveland, Davie,
      Eastern McDowell, Eastern Polk, Elbert, Gaston, Greater Burke,
      Greater Caldwell, Greater Greenville, Greater Oconee, Greater
      Pickens, Greater Rutherford, Greenville Mountains, Greenwood,
      Hart, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Laurens, Lincoln, McDowell
      Mountains, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Northern Jackson, Oconee
      Mountains, Pickens Mountains, Polk Mountains, Rowan, Rutherford
      Mountains, Southern Jackson, Spartanburg, Transylvania, Union,
      Union, Yancey, and York

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 220 miles southwest of Charlotte NC or about 160 miles
      south-southwest of Greenville/Spartanburg SC
    - 32.7N 83.2W
    - Storm Intensity 60 mph
    - Movement Northeast or 45 degrees at 20 mph

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

The center of Tropical Storm Michael will track across the South
Carolina Midlands today, then on to near Raleigh, North Carolina by
this evening. Windy conditions and very heavy rainfall are expected
to impact part of the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia
as the storm passes just south and east of the area.

The greatest threat that Michael will pose for our area continues to
be flash flooding. The heaviest rainfall totals are expected to be
along an axis from near Spartanburg, across the northwest side of the
Charlotte metropolitan area, to near Mocksville, North Carolina. A
secondary maximum will develop along the Blue Ridge Escarpment in the
Carolinas. Metro Charlotte may also see flash flooding even though
rainfall totals will be slightly lower there. This is due to very high
rainfall rates along with excessive urban runoff. Areas that flooded
during heavy rainfall last month with Tropical Storm Florence may
flood again during Michael.

Winds will peak during the day today. Though sustained winds likely
will remain below tropical-storm force, a few tropical-storm force
gusts above 39 mph are possible. The winds will be strong enough to
produce impacts. The gusty winds that do occur could still down trees
and power lines, especially as soils become saturated due to the heavy
rainfall. High profile vehicles such as trucks and buses may also
experience difficulty due to these winds. In some areas, especially
the eastern mountains and foothills of North Carolina, the strongest
winds may occur in the late morning or afternoon, after Michael has
passed to the east, and possibly after the heaviest rain has ended.

A small risk of isolated tornadoes does exist in the eastern Upstate
and adjacent parts of the southern North Carolina Piedmont. A Tornado
Watch is in effect for these areas early this morning. Tropical
cyclone tornadoes develop especially rapidly, so it is important to
react quickly and seek shelter if a warning is issued for your
location. The tornado risk will diminish by midday.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia.
Potential impacts include:
    - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and
      ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas,
      destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while
      increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood
      control systems and barriers may become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Many places where flood waters may cover 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.

* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
the western Carolinas and NE Georgia. Potential 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.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across the I-77 corridor of North Carolina, and the eastern Upstate.
Potential impacts include:
    - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution
      of emergency plans during tropical events.
    - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power
      and communications disruptions.
    - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys
      toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned,
      large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees
      knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats
      pulled from moorings.

Elsewhere across the western Carolinas and NE Georgia, little to no
impact is anticipated.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local official for recommended
preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to
evacuate, do so immediately.

For those not under evacuation orders, assess
the risk from wind, falling trees, and flooding at your location. If
you decide to move, relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do
not relocate, help keep roadways open for those under evacuation
orders.

Do not enter evacuated areas until officials have given the
all clear to return.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of
life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any
orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency
Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are
unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.

Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!

If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter
quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not
prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter
options.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.

* 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 Greenville-Spartanburg SC around 6 AM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
This weather bulletin was brought to you by:
www.nashvilleweather.net