[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS82 KGSP 111530
HLSGSP
GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065-068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-112330-

Tropical Storm Michael Local Statement Advisory Number 20
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC  AL142018
1130 AM EDT Thu Oct 11 2018

This product covers the western Carolinas and NE Georgia

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

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* 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 40 miles south of Charlotte NC or about 80 miles east of
      Greenville/Spartanburg SC
    - 34.7N 80.8W
    - Storm Intensity 50 mph
    - Movement Northeast or 50 degrees at 23 mph

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

The center of Tropical Storm Michael will track from the South
Carolina Midlands late this morning to near Raleigh, North Carolina by
this evening. Windy conditions and very heavy rainfall will continue
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 through early this
afternoon in eastern portions of the North Carolina Piedmont. Tropical
cyclone tornadoes develop especially rapidly, so it is important to
react quickly and seek shelter if a warning is issued for your
location.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the western Carolinas. Remain well guarded against
life-threatening flood waters having additional extensive impacts.
If realized, these 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:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
the western Carolinas. Remain well sheltered from hazardous
wind having additional 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.

* TORNADOES:
Limited impacts are anticipated through early this afternoon across
the western North Carolina Piedmont. Tornadoes are not anticipated
across northeast Georgia, Upstate of South Carolina, and the
North Carolina Mountains

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

* EVACUATIONS:
WATCH/WARNING PHASE - Listen to local official for recommended
preparedness actions.

WATCH/WARNING PHASE - Let others know where you are going prior to
departure. Secure loose items and pets in the car, and avoid
distracted driving.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for
updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a
battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.

Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose
power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and
check-ins.

If you are in a flood prone area, be prepared for the possibility
of a quick and dramatic rise in water levels.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the
safest place within your shelter. 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 Greenville-Spartanburg SC around 2 PM, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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