[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

[EMWIN Server]

WTUS82 KMHX 150918
HLSMHX
NCZ044-079-080-090>095-098-151730-

Tropical Storm Florence Local Statement Advisory Number 64
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC  AL062018
518 AM EDT Sat Sep 15 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:
    - None

* 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 250 miles west-southwest of Buxton NC or about 180 miles
      west-southwest of Morehead City NC
    - 33.6N 79.5W
    - Storm Intensity 50 mph
    - Movement West-southwest or 255 degrees at 5 mph

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

Tropical Storm Florence is moving southwestward very slowly as life
threatening impacts continue across much of eastern North Carolina.
The main threats that continue are catastrophic and possibly historic
flooding rains, significant storm surge, and damaging winds.

Storm surge impacts are gradually improving but inundation of up to 3
to 5 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 48 hours, and additional rainfall
amounts of 3 to 12 inches will be possible through Sunday. 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 has occurred. 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 portions
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 today, 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
areas 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:
    - Areas of inundation 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 usually vulnerable low
      spots.
    - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
      numerous rip currents.
    - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
      Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages.

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:
    - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
      mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
    - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
      uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
      shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
      bridges and other elevated roadways.
    - Scattered power and communications outages.

* 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 12 PM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
This weather bulletin was brought to you by:
www.nashvilleweather.net