[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS82 KCHS 131800
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GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047>052-140200-

Hurricane Florence Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 57A
National Weather Service Charleston SC  AL062018
200 PM EDT Thu Sep 13 2018

This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia

**HURRICANE FLORENCE APPROACHING THE CAPE FEAR REGION OF NORTH
CAROLINA**

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 230 miles east-northeast of Charleston SC or about 310
      miles east-northeast of Savannah GA
    - 33.6N 76.0W
    - Storm Intensity 105 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 315 degrees at 10 mph

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

Hurricane Florence continues to approach the North Carolina coast.
Confidence is increasing that Florence will move inland near the Cape
Fear region of southeastern North Carolina Friday afternoon then drift
west into the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina Friday night into
Saturday. As Florence moves into South Carolina, the risk for strong
winds and excessive rainfall will increase. Dangerous coastal
conditions will also continue into the weekend. It is important not to
focus on the exact forecast track as impacts will extend well away
from the center. The worst conditions are most likely Friday through
the weekend.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts for areas mainly north of the Edisto River, including the
Charleston Metro Area. 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 the remainder of Southeast South Carolina.

* 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.

* WIND:
Prepare for dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across
mostly Southeast South Carolina. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
      to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
      experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile
      homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight
      objects become dangerous projectiles.
    - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
      numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. A few bridges and access routes
      impassable.
    - Travel by vehicle or on foot increasingly difficult. Danger of
      death or injury from falling objects such as trees or electric
      wires outside.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines, which could persist for hours
      or days.
    - Some poorly secured small craft could break loose from their
      moorings.

Also, prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across Southeast Georgia.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
Charleston and Berkeley Counties. Potential impacts include:
    - Isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans.
    - Isolated locations could experience tornado damage, along with
      power and communications disruptions.
    - In isolated locations, tornadoes could damage trees, vehicles,
      boats and buildings, especially mobile homes and other poorly
      constructed structures.

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.

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:
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.

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 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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