[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Tropical Storm Florence Local Statement Advisory Number 63
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC  AL062018
1136 PM EDT Fri Sep 14 2018

This product covers Eastern North Carolina

**TROPICAL STORM FLORENCE CONTINUES TO BRING LIFE-THREATENING STORM
 SURGE AND HISTORIC RAINFALL WITH CATASTROPHIC FLOODING TO PORTIONS OF
 EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning have been
      cancelled for Outer Banks Dare and Outer Banks Hyde
    - The Storm Surge Warning has been cancelled for Mainland Dare,
      Tyrrell, and Washington
    - The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for Mainland Hyde

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Jones, Onslow, Pamlico, and Pitt
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Duplin, Greene, and
      Lenoir
    - A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Mainland Hyde

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 230 miles west-southwest of Buxton NC or about 150 miles
      west-southwest of Morehead City NC
    - 33.8N 79.1W
    - Storm Intensity 65 mph
    - Movement West-southwest or 255 degrees at 5 mph

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

Tropical Storm Florence is moving southwestward very slowly with
lift threatening impacts continuing across much of eastern North
Carolina. The main threat that remain are significant storm surge,
catastrophic and possibly historic flooding rains, and damaging winds
are ongoing. The very slow motion of Florence down the Carolina coast
will prolong these dangerous conditions into Saturday.

Storm surge impacts are gradually improving but inundation of up to
4 to 7 feet above ground with locally higher amounts continues for
waterways along the western side of the Pamlico Sound and in the upper
tidal reaches of the Neuse, Pamlico, Pungo, and Bay Rivers.
Significant storm surge will also continue for areas south of
Ocracoke.

Historic flooding continues across southeastern North Carolina due to
the prolonged period of heavy rainfall. The area has received as much
as 15 to 25 inches over the last 24 hours, and additional rainfall
amounts in excess of 1 FOOT are possible through the weekend. Highest
rainfall totals are expected across the southern half of the area.
These rainfall amounts are causing catastrophic flash flooding with
significant and prolonged river flooding developing shortly and
continuing for the next several weeks.

Major to potentially record river flooding is expected for rivers and
streams primarily over Duplin, Onslow, Carteret, and Craven Counties
where the heaviest rain is occurring. Elsewhere all other rivers and
streams are vulnerable to moderate or major flooding with this storm.
Flooding of rivers and creeks will continue to rise well into next
week. Given the generally slow rise of area rivers, most won't crest
until mid to late next week extending the impacts from this long
duration flood event.

Tropical storm force winds will continue across the southern portion
of the area, with the strongest winds occurring in rainbands. The
saturated ground and long duration of high winds will continue to
bring down trees and lead to widespread power outages.

The threat for tornadoes will continue overnight across the area, with
the greatest threat south of Highway 70.

Very dangerous marine conditions, with seas of 8 to 15 feet, will
continue into the weekend, especially south of Cape Hatteras. Large
surf will lead to continued large and dangerous breaking waves,
coastal erosion, and an elevated threat for rip currents.

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

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
south of Highway 70. Remain well guarded against life-threatening
flood waters having additional catastrophic impacts. If realized,
these 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,
      canals, 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.

Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
areas north of Highway 70. Remain well guarded against life-threatening
flood waters having additional significant to devastating impacts.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
areas adjacent to the Pamlico Sound, Neuse, Bay, and Pamlico Rivers.
Remain well away from life-threatening surge having additional extensive
impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding
      accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings,
      with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating
      debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period.
    - Large sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads
      washed out or severely flooded. Flood control systems and
      barriers may become stressed.
    - Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss.
    - Major damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Many
      small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages with some lifted onshore and stranded.

Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
across waterways south of Ocracoke Inlet. Remain well away from
life-threatening surge having additional significant impacts.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
much of southeastern North Carolina. Remain well sheltered from
dangerous wind having additional significant impacts. If realized,
these impacts 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.

Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across portions of eastern North Carolina. Remain well sheltered from
hazardous wind having additional limited impacts.

Elsewhere across Eastern North Carolina, little to no impact is
anticipated.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across area south
of Highway 70. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event
having additional significant impacts. If realized, these impacts
include:
    - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution
      of emergency plans during tropical events.
    - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots
      of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
    - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile
      homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or
      uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about.
      Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.

Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across areas north
of Highway 70. Remain well braced against a tornado event
having additional limited impacts.

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

* EVACUATIONS:

Do not enter evacuated areas until officials have given the all clear
to return.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for
updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a
battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.

Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose
power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and
check-ins.

Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos.

Quickly move to the safest place within your shelter if it begins to
fail, preferably an interior room on the lowest floor as long as
flooding is not a concern.

If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch
or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic
rise in water levels.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the
safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body.

* 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 Newport/Morehead City NC around 3 AM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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