[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS82 KRAH 120928
HLSRAH
NCZ028-042-043-077-078-085-086-088-089-121730-

Hurricane Florence Local Statement Advisory Number 52
National Weather Service Raleigh NC  AL062018
528 AM EDT Wed Sep 12 2018

This product covers central North Carolina

**Powerful Hurricane Florence continues to head towards the Carolina
 Coast**

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 680 miles southeast of Raleigh NC or about 660 miles
      southeast of Fayetteville NC
    - 29.0N 70.1W
    - Storm Intensity 130 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 17 mph

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

Dangerous Hurricane Florence is expected to approach the Carolina
coast on late Thursday, stall off the coast on Friday before drifting
slowly west over the Carolinas late in the weekend. The primary concern
is for a prolonged period of heavy rainfall, particularly over the
Coastal Plain and Sandhills, which may result in life threatening
flooding.

In addition, strong and potentially damaging winds are expected to
spread from southeastern North Carolina toward the west from late
Thursday afternoon through at least Friday night. 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 tornadoes from Thursday afternoon into
Saturday.

At this point, plans should already be in place, and preparations for
the numerous hazards should be underway. These preparations should be
completed by Thursday as weather conditions will deteriorate from the
southeast late Thursday into Friday.

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

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

Potential impacts include:
    - Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in
      many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, and
      ditches may become raging rivers.
    - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple
      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 life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
limited to extensive impacts across the central and northern Coastal
Plain.

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

Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof
      and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage
      greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles.
    - 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 to
impacts across northern Coastal Plain and western Sandhills.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
the southern Coastal Plain and eastern Sandhills. 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, and moving vehicles blown off roads.

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

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

* EVACUATIONS:
WATCH/WARNING PHASE - Traffic is expected to increase on area roadways
if evacuations are ordered for the coast, creating longer travel
times. Be sure to plan accordingly.


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your
home or business.

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.


* 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 12 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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