[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Florence Local Statement Advisory Number 61
National Weather Service Raleigh NC  AL062018
1117 AM EDT Fri Sep 14 2018

This product covers central North Carolina

**Hurricane Florence expected to bring devastating and life-
 threatening flooding to portions of central NC**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled and a Tropical Storm
      Warning has been issued for Wayne

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 130 miles south-southeast of Raleigh NC or about 90 miles
      southeast of Fayetteville NC
    - 34.0N 78.0W
    - Storm Intensity 80 mph
    - Movement West-southwest or 245 degrees at 3 mph

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

Dangerous Hurricane Florence will push slowly west over the far
southern North Carolina this afternoon, and then move west-
southwestward over northeastern South Carolina tonight. The storm will
then continue a slow inland drift over South Carolina through the
weekend.

Devastating flooding remains the primary concern. A prolonged period
of extremely heavy rainfall, particularly across the Sandhills and
southern portions of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, will last into
the weekend. Total rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 inches are likely,
with amounts over 20 inches possible over far southern sections.
Life-threatening flash flooding is likely, to be followed by prolonged
river flooding, especially across the Cape Fear, Neuse, and Black
river basins.

In addition, strong and potentially damaging winds will continue to
spread across the central and southern Coastal Plain, the Sandhills,
and the southern and eastern Piedmont through early Saturday. 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 tornadoes today through
Saturday over the Coastal Plain, Sandhills, and the southern Piedmont.


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

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


* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts
across Sandhills and southern Coastal Plain including the Fayetteville
area. 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, protect against dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant impacts across the southern and eastern Piedmont and the
central Coastal Plain.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
the southern and central Coastal Plain, Sandhills and eastern Piedmont.
Potential impacts include:
    - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution
      of emergency plans during tropical events.
    - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power
      and communications disruptions.
    - 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:

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!

If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter
quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not
prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter
options.

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, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of
strong winds or flooding.

* 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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