[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Tue Sep 3 16:32:58 CDT 2019

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Hurricane Dorian Local Statement Advisory Number 42
National Weather Service Charleston SC  AL052019
532 PM EDT Tue Sep 3 2019

This product covers southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia

**HURRICANE DORIAN TO IMPACT THE AREA WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning have been
      upgraded to a Hurricane Warning for Beaufort, Coastal Colleton,
      Coastal Jasper, and Inland Jasper

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Inland Bryan, Inland Chatham, and Inland Liberty
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Beaufort, Charleston, Coastal Colleton, Coastal Jasper, and
      Tidal Berkeley
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Inland Berkeley and Inland
      Jasper
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Dorchester,
      Effingham, Hampton, Inland Colleton, and Long
    - A Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Hurricane
      Watch are in effect for Coastal Bryan, Coastal Chatham, Coastal
      Liberty, Coastal McIntosh, and Inland McIntosh

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 360 miles south-southeast of Charleston SC or about 330
      miles south-southeast of Savannah GA
    - 27.7N 78.7W
    - Storm Intensity 110 mph
    - Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 6 mph

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

Hurricane Dorian remains a very dangerous hurricane and has started
to slowly move to the northwest. Dorian is forecast to continue
northwestward just off the east coast of Florida tonight and into
Wednesday afternoon. Thereafter, Dorian is expected to turn northward
and then northeastward as it passes just off the Georgia and South
Carolina coasts Wednesday night through Thursday night. The risk of
hazardous conditions continues to increase across the region including
strong winds, storm surge inundation, flash flooding, strong rip
currents, and severe beach erosion. Additionally, dangerous marine
conditions are expected to occur across the adjacent coastal waters
including the Charleston Harbor. The combination of significant storm
surge inundation and heavy rainfall will enhance the risk for flash
flooding, especially along the southeast South Carolina coast,
including Downtown Charleston and the nearby coastal communities.

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

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible extensive
impacts across the coastal counties of southeast South Carolina and
southeast Georgia. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Large areas of deep inundation of saltwater along immediate
      shorelines and in low-lying spots farther inland near rivers
      and creeks, 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 flooded and impassable. Flood control systems and
      barriers could 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.
    - Drinking water and sewer services negatively impacted.
    - Hazardous containers and materials possibly present in surge
      waters.

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

* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts across areas mainly along and east of Interstate 95.
Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some window,
      door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage.
      Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed. Damage
      accentuated by airborne projectiles. Some locations may be
      uninhabitable for weeks.
    - Danger of death or injury from falling objects and airborne
      projectiles outside.
    - Large trees snapped or uprooted.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded locations. Several bridges and access routes
      impassable.
    - Large areas with power and communications outages, which could
      persist for days.
    - Several secured small craft could break free from moorings.

Also, protect against dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant impacts across interior portions of southeast South
Carolina and southeast Georgia.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across coastal portions of southeast South Carolina
and southeast Georgia. Potential impacts include:
    - Major rainfall flooding could prompt many rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries could rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple locations. Small streams, creeks, canals, ditches may
      become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers
      could become stressed.
    - Flood waters could enter many structures within multiple
      communities; some structures become uninhabitable or are washed
      away. Flood waters could cover multiple 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.
    - Drinking water and sewer services could be negatively impacted.
    - Hazardous containers and materials could possibly be present in
      flood waters.

Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited
to significant impacts across interior portions of southeast South
Carolina and southeast Georgia.

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across coastal areas of southeast South Carolina and southeast Georgia.
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.

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
Severe beach erosion, high surf with breakers of 5 feet or greater,
and strong rip currents will occur at the beaches of southeast South
Carolina and southeast Georgia. A High Surf Advisory and a High Risk
of Rip Currents remains in effect for the entire coast.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions,
including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so
immediately.

For those not under evacuation orders, assess the risk from wind,
falling trees, and flooding at your location. If you decide to move,
relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do not relocate, help
keep roadways open for those under evacuation orders.

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.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and
property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a
safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.

If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible.
Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges
will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather
forecast before departing and drive with caution.

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.

Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and
hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge
zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find
yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed
evacuation orders issued by the local authorities.

* 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 9 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$
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