[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS82 KRAH 112129
HLSRAH
NCZ028-042-043-077-078-085-086-088-089-120530-

Hurricane Florence Local Statement Advisory Number 50
National Weather Service Raleigh NC  AL062018
529 PM EDT Tue Sep 11 2018

This product covers central North Carolina

**Powerful Hurricane Florence Continues to Approach the Carolinas**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Sampson and Wayne
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Cumberland, Edgecombe,
      Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Scotland, and Wilson

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 880 miles southeast of Raleigh NC or about 870 miles
      east-southeast of Fayetteville NC
    - 27.5N 67.1W
    - Storm Intensity 140 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 17 mph

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

Dangerous Hurricane Florence is expected to approach the Carolina
coast Thursday night before drifting slowly west and north, impacting
central North Carolina through the weekend. The main concern is for a
prolonged period of heavy rainfall which could accumulate 10 to 20
inches across portions of the coastal plain, which is likely to lead to
life threatening flash, areal, and eventually river flooding. In
addition, strong sustained winds of 20 to 40 mph are expected,
spreading from southeastern North Carolina toward the northwest from
Thursday afternoon through at least Friday night. Gusts in excess of 60
mph will also be possible. Impacts may include damage to trees and
power lines, resulting in numerous power outages, along with damage to
weak or poorly built structures. Finally, there is a potential for
isolated to scattered tornadoes from Thursday afternoon into at least
Friday.

At this point, plans should already be in place, and preparations for
the numerous hazards should be underway. These preparations should be
completed NO LATER THAN Thursday morning, as deteriorating weather
conditions will be arriving around this time.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
devastating impacts across the Coastal Plain, Sandhills, and eastern
Piedmont.

Potential impacts include:
    - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt evacuations and rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in
      many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks,
      canals, arroyos, and ditches may become overflow and become
      raging rivers.
    - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within communities,
      some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous
      places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and
      parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses
      submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous
      road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

Prepare for significant rainfall which will lead to flooding impacts
across the western Piedmont and Foothills of North Carolina.

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts
across the Coastal Plain and Sandhills.

Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
      roadway signs blown over.
    - Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Widespread power and communications outages.

Also, prepare for life-threatening wind having possible limited
impacts across the central and western Piedmont.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across the
Coastal Plain and Foothills.

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 central North Carolina, little to no impact is
anticipated.

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

* EVACUATIONS:

WATCH/WARNING PHASE - Traffic is expected to increase as evacuees
from the coast travel inland. Allow additional time to safely reach
your destination.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging
wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the
center of the storm.

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, in a valley, 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 orders that
are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of
others.

When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded
as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of
strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness
activities to become unsafe.

Be sure to let friends and family members know of your intentions for
weathering the storm and your whereabouts. Have someone located away
from the threatened area serve as your point of contact. Share vital
contact information with others. Keep cell phones handy and charged.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news
outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes
to the forecast.

There is a threat for tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways to
receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see readync.org
- 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 Raleigh NC around 11 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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