[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS82 KRAH 130927
HLSRAH
NCZ028-042-043-075>078-084>086-088-089-131730-

Hurricane Florence Local Statement Advisory Number 56
National Weather Service Raleigh NC  AL062018
527 AM EDT Thu Sep 13 2018

This product covers central North Carolina

**Hurricane Florence to Bring Life-Threatening Flooding to Portions
of Central NC**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
      Warning for Edgecombe, Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Lee, Moore,
      Richmond, Scotland, and Wilson

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 300 miles southeast of Raleigh NC or about 280 miles
      east-southeast of Fayetteville NC
    - 32.8N 74.7W
    - Storm Intensity 110 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 315 degrees at 15 mph

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

Dangerous Hurricane Florence will approach the Carolinas today and
tonight and then move across the coast early Friday. The storm will
drift slowly inland over far southeastern North Carolina and eastern
South Carolina on Friday, and then continue a westward drift over South
Carolina through the weekend.

The primary concern is for a prolonged period extreme rainfall,
particularly over the central and southern Coastal Plain, the
Sandhills, and the far southern Piedmont where more than 12 inches of
rain is possible, with localized amounts in excess of 18 inches. This
rainfall will likely lead to devastating and life threatening flash
flooding and prolonged river flooding across the lower Neuse, Black,
and Cape Fear river basins.

In addition, strong and potentially damaging winds are expected to
arrive in the southern Coastal Plain this afternoon, before spreading
into the Sandhills, the southeast and eastern Piedmont, and the
central Coastal Plain tonight through at least Friday night. Impacts
may include damage to trees and power lines, resulting in numerous
power outages and sporadic damage to weak or poorly built structures.

Finally, there is a potential for isolated weak tornadoes from this
afternoon into Saturday over the extreme southern and central Coastal
Plain and eastern Sandhills.

At this point, plans should already be in place, and preparations
should be rushed to by this afternoon, as weather conditions will
deteriorate from the east during the afternoon and evening.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
devastating impacts across the southern and central Coastal Plain, the
Sandhills, and the southern and eastern Piedmont.

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 control systems and
      barriers may become stressed.
    - 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.

Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
limited to extensive impacts across the northwestern Piedmont and
locations near the Virginia border.

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across the eastern Sandhills and southern Coastal Plain.

Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with roof and wall
      failures. 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 downed trees and some debris, and
      more within urban or heavily wooded places. Many bridges,
      causeways, and access routes impassable.
    - Widespread power and communications outages.

Also, protect against life-threatening wind having more limited
impacts across the northern Piedmont and northern Coastal Plain.


* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
southern and central Coastal Plain and the eastern Sandhills.

Potential impacts include:
    - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution
      of emergency plans during tropical events.
    - 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
----------------------------------


* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and
property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a
safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.

Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can
be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide
poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly
ventilated area.

Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!

* 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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