[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS82 KCHS 121247
HLSCHS
GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047>052-122100-

Hurricane Florence Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 52A
National Weather Service Charleston SC  AL062018
847 AM EDT Wed Sep 12 2018

This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia

**DANGEROUS HURRICANE FLORENCE INCREASINGLY LIKELY TO AFFECT
SOUTHEAST SC AND POTENTIALLY SOUTHEAST GA**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for Coastal Colleton
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Charleston and Tidal Berkeley
    - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Inland Berkeley

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 590 miles east-southeast of Charleston SC or about 640
      miles east-southeast of Savannah GA
    - 29.4N 70.7W
    - Storm Intensity 130 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 17 mph

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

Extremely dangerous Hurricane Florence continues to approach the
Southeast U.S. coast as a major hurricane. The latest forecast brings
the center of Florence close to the southeast North Carolina coast
Friday, then Florence could stall before drifting west or southwest
this weekend. Regardless of the exact path, impacts will extend well
away from the center and into southeast South Carolina and Georgia.
The track could continue to shift farther south and west. If this
occurs, the region within the Hurricane Watch and Storm Surge Watch
area could experience life-threatening storm surge inundation,
damaging winds and excessive rainfall. This includes areas between
Edisto Beach and South Santee River, including Berkeley County. The
watch could also be expanded farther south later today. Dangerous surf
zone conditions will also continue on the beaches of southeast South
Carolina and southeast Georgia at least through late week. The worst
conditions are expected late Thursday night into at least Saturday,
although potentially into Monday depending on the eventual evolution
of Florence.

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

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts
across southeast South Carolina. Potential impacts in this area
include:
    - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some window,
      door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage.
      Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed. Damage
      accentuated by airborne projectiles. Some locations may be
      uninhabitable for weeks.
    - Danger of death or injury from falling objects and airborne
      projectiles outside.
    - Large trees snapped or uprooted.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded locations. Several bridges and access routes
      impassable.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages, which could
      persist for days.
    - Several secured small craft could break free from moorings.

Also, prepare for dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant impacts across southeast Georgia.

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across coastal Charleston and Tidal Berkeley Counties.
Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Areas of inundation of saltwater along immediate shorelines and
      in low-lying spots farther inland near rivers and creeks, 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 normally vulnerable low
      spots.
    - Moderate to major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching
      dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents.
    - Minor to moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and
      piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings,
      especially in unprotected anchorages. Some navigation aids
      possibly displaced well off station, creating difficult
      navigation near inlets and waterways.

Also, prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across coastal southeast Georgia and Colleton, Beaufort, and
Jasper counties.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across southern South Carolina. Potential
impacts include:
    - Localized rainfall flooding could prompt a few rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries could quickly rise with swifter
      currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches could
      become swollen and overflow in spots.
    - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in normally
      vulnerable spots. Rapid ponding of water could occur at
      underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several
      storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to
      overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures.

Elsewhere across southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia,
little to no impact is anticipated.

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
A high risk for rip currents exists on all area beaches today and will
likely continue through at least late week. Also, prior to the onset of
potentially life-threatening storm surge flooding later this week, minor
saltwater flooding will be possible with each high tide, especially along
the South Carolina coast. Elevated surf and tides could also produce beach
erosion this week.


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

* EVACUATIONS:

If evacuating, leave with a destination in mind and allow extra time
to get there. Take your emergency supplies kit. Gas up your vehicle
ahead of time.

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

If evacuating, follow designated evacuation routes. Seek traffic
information on roadway signs, the radio, and from official sources.


* 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.

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

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


* 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 Charleston SC around 12 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

JRL
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