[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Florence Local Statement Advisory Number 54
National Weather Service Charleston SC  AL062018
513 PM EDT Wed Sep 12 2018

This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia

**DANGEROUS HURRICANE FLORENCE LIKELY TO IMPACT SOUTHEAST SOUTH
CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA LATE THIS WEEK INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK**

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 450 miles east-southeast of Charleston SC or about 510
      miles east of Savannah GA
    - 30.9N 72.5W
    - Storm Intensity 120 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 315 degrees at 16 mph

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

Extremely dangerous Major Hurricane Florence continues to approach
the Southeast U.S. coast. Much uncertainty remains regarding the
progress of Florence so exact impacts across southeast South Carolina
and southeast Georgia are uncertain but confidence is increasing in
potentially significant impacts. It is important to remember to not
focus on the exact forecast track as impacts will extend well away
from the center. Dangerous surf zone conditions will also continue
southward into the northern Georgia coast through at least late week.
The worst conditions are most likely Friday through the weekend.

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

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts
across southeast South Carolina close to the Santee River.
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. Locations
      may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
    - Impossible to venture outside due to falling objects and
      airborne projectiles.
    - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted.
    - Many roads impassable due to large debris, especially within
      urban or heavily wooded locations. Most or all bridges and
      access routes impassable.
    - Widespread damage to power and communications infrastructure
      with resulting outages possibly lasting for weeks or longer.
      Gas leaks and fallen electric wires pose a threat to life.
    - Many marine vessels will likely break free from moorings.

Also, prepare for life-threatening wind having possible significant
to extensive impacts across the rest of southeast South Carolina
mainly north of Beaufort and Walterboro.

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across low-lying tidal areas of South Carolina, mainly north
of Edisto Beach. 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.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across southeast South Carolina, mainly north of Beaufort.
Potential impacts include:
    - Moderate rainfall flooding could prompt some rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries could quickly become swollen with
      swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places,
      especially in normally vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks,
      canals, and ditches overflow.
    - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations.
      Several places could experience expanded areas of rapid
      inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
      areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as
      storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions
      become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.

Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across southeast South Carolina closer to the Savannah
River.

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

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.

* 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, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the
center of the storm.

If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large
trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or
on a boat, plan to move to safe shelter.

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.

* 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 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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