[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS82 KCAE 132106
HLSCAE
GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ015-016-018-020>022-025>031-035>038-041-140515-

Hurricane Florence Local Statement Advisory Number 58
National Weather Service Columbia SC  AL062018
506 PM EDT Thu Sep 13 2018

This product covers the Midlands of central South Carolina and east central Georgia CSRA

**Tropical Storm Warnings Issued for Eastern Midlands and Pee Dee
Region as Florence Nears the NC Coast**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
      Warning for Chesterfield, Clarendon, Lee, and Sumter
    - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Kershaw and Lancaster

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Chesterfield,
      Clarendon, Lee, and Sumter
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Kershaw and Lancaster

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 240 miles east of Sumter SC
    - 33.7N 76.2W
    - Storm Intensity 100 mph
    - Movement West-northwest or 295 degrees at 5 mph

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

The latest forecast continues to bring the center of Hurricane
Florence close to the southeast North Carolina coast Friday morning,
then Florence slowly drifts west southwest into South Carolina over
the weekend. Regardless of the exact path, impacts will extend well
away from the center and into central South Carolina and eastern
Georgia this weekend. The track could still shift slightly into the
weekend. The worst conditions are expected Friday night into Sunday
morning.  The largest threat will be from heavy rainfall causing
flooding, with more than 10 inches of rain possible along the North
Carolina/South Carolina border, and 5 inches of rain in the central
Midlands. Flash Flood Watches are in effect for northern and central
portions of the area. A period of tropical storm force wind gusts is
also expected in the tropical storm warning area Friday night into
Saturday night. After the storm moves by, river flooding may linger
well into next week.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across The northern Midlands and Pee Dee Region. Potential
impacts include:
    - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and
      ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas,
      destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while
      increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood
      control systems and barriers may become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
      Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
      underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
      Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited
to significant impacts across The central and eastern Midlands.

* WIND:
Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts
across the northern and eastern Midlands and Pee Dee region.
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. Several
      fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines.

Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across the central and western Midlands.

* TORNADOES:
While isolated tornadoes may be possible, this threat will mainly be
confined to the northern Midlands and Pee Dee region.

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

* EVACUATIONS:

Traffic may increase as evacuees from the coast travel inland.
Allow additional time to safely reach your destination.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in
which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which
it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay
attention for instructions from local authorities.

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!

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information from the state of South Carolina see scemd.org
- For information from the state of Georgia see gema.ga.gov

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Columbia SC around 11:30 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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