[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS82 KCHS 140328
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GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047>052-141130-

Hurricane Florence Local Statement Advisory Number 59
National Weather Service Charleston SC  AL062018
1128 PM EDT Thu Sep 13 2018

This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia

 **HURRICANE FLORENCE NEARING THE SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA COAST**


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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for Coastal Colleton
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Dorchester
    - A Tropical Storm Warning, Storm Surge Watch, and Hurricane
      Watch are in effect for Charleston and Tidal Berkeley
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Inland Berkeley

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 200 miles east-northeast of Charleston SC or about 280
      miles east-northeast of Savannah GA
    - 34.0N 76.8W
    - Storm Intensity 90 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 305 degrees at 6 mph

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

Hurricane Florence continues to draw closer to the North Carolina
coast and is expected to make landfall Friday morning near Cape Fear.
Thereafter, Florence is expected to drift west into the Pee Dee region
of South Carolina into the weekend while weakening. As Florence moves
into South Carolina, the risk for tropical storm force 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
-----------------

* WIND:
Prepare for dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across
portions of 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.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across portions of southeast South Carolina. 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.

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

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
portions of Charleston and Berkeley County. 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 at this time.

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across low-lying tidal areas of southeast South Carolina,
primarily 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 at this time.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
If evacuating, leave with a destination in mind and allow extra time to
get there. Take your emergency supplies kit. Gas up your vehicle ahead
of time. Follow designated evacuation routes. Seek traffic information
on roadway signs, the radio, and from official sources.

Let others know where you are going prior to departure. Secure loose
items and pets in the car, and avoid distracted driving.

Follow designated evacuation routes. Seek traffic information on
roadway signs, the radio, and from official sources.

* 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 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.

Check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are
unable to make personal preparations.

If you are a visitor, know the name of the county or parish in which
you are located and where it is relative to current watches and
warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their
onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially
pertaining to area visitors.

* 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 3 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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