[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS82 KRAH 131519
HLSRAH
NCZ028-042-043-075>078-084>086-088-089-132330-

Hurricane Florence Local Statement Advisory Number 57
National Weather Service Raleigh NC  AL062018
1119 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:
    - None

* 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 240 miles southeast of Raleigh NC or about 220 miles
      east-southeast of Fayetteville NC
    - 33.4N 75.5W
    - Storm Intensity 105 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 315 degrees at 10 mph

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

Dangerous Hurricane Florence will approach the Carolina coast 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 continue a westward drift over South
Carolina through the weekend.

The primary concern is for a prolonged period of extreme rainfall,
particularly over the central and southern Coastal Plain, the
Sandhills, and the far southern Piedmont. Amounts of 10 to 15 inches
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 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:
Prepare for 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 northwestern Piedmont and locations
near the Virginia border.

* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts
across the eastern sandhills and southern Coastal Plain.

Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
      window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
      damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.
      Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be
      uninhabitable for weeks.
    - Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
      roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and
      access routes impassable.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages.

Also, prepare for dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant impacts across the northern Piedmont and northern Coastal
Plain.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across the
southern and central Coastal Plain and 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
----------------------------------

Please heed all evacuation orders issued by law enforcement, and remain
outside of evacuation until areas are cleared by officials.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

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.


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 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 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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