[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Dorian Local Statement Advisory Number 52
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC  AL052019
534 AM EDT Fri Sep 6 2019

This product covers Eastern North Carolina

**GREATEST IMPACTS FROM HURRICANE DORIAN ONGOING IN EASTERN NORTH
CAROLINA**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Duplin, Greene,
      Lenoir, Martin, and Pitt
    - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Northern Craven
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
      Beaufort, Coastal Onslow, East Carteret, Hatteras Island,
      Inland Onslow, Jones, Mainland Dare, Mainland Hyde, Northern
      Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island, Pamlico, Southern Craven,
      Tyrrell, Washington, and West Carteret

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 60 miles southwest of Buxton NC or about 30 miles
      east-southeast of Morehead City NC
    - 34.6N 76.2W
    - Storm Intensity 90 mph
    - Movement Northeast or 50 degrees at 14 mph

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

Dangerous Hurricane Dorian will continue to bring major impacts to
eastern North Carolina through tonight. The center of Dorian is
now east of Cape Lookout, tracking just off Core Banks toward Cape
Hatteras through the morning hours, with the core of the storm and
area of greatest impacts shifting to the Inner and Outer Banks.
Elsewhere, significant impacts will continue across all of eastern
North Carolina.

Life threatening storm surge impacts will develop very quickly along
the soundside Outer Banks, and continue elsewhere. Storm surge
inundation of up to 4 to 7 feet above ground is expected across much
of the area. Very rapid water level rises are anticipated on the
soundside Outer Banks, and potentially Downeast Carteret County and
eastern Craven County, as the center of the storm passes, bringing
life-threatening storm surge. Significant storm surge is also
possible across other portions of the inland sounds and rivers,
including the Pamlico Sound, Albemarle Sound, Alligator River, Neuse
River, Pamlico River, and smaller tidal rivers.

Very high surf and large breaking waves will continue to bring
moderate to significant beach erosion and ocean overwash along the
North Carolina coast through tonight. Overwash and sound side
flooding will likely cause issues on Highway 12 on the Outer Banks
beginning tonight, and could continue into Saturday. Vulnerable
areas could experience erosion or overwash for multiple high tide
cycles.

Periods of very heavy rainfall will continue across Eastern North
Carolina, with additional flash flooding expected. Generally around
4 to 8 inches of rainfall has already fallen across the area, with 2
to 4 inches, with isolated higher amounts, of additional rainfall
expected through this evening. Some minor to moderate river
flooding is also possible into the weekend, especially for smaller
rivers and creeks east of the coastal plain. Do not drive through
flooded areas...turn around dont drown!

Tropical storm force winds will continue through this afternoon.
Hurricane force winds will mainly be confined to coastal areas.
Strong winds will have the ability to bring down trees, damage
structures, and cause widespread power outages.

A few tornadoes remain possible mainly north of the center of
circulation of the storm.

Very dangerous marine conditions will continue with seas building to
15 to 25 feet and higher. A high threat of rip currents will
continue for all area beaches and it is advised to stay out of the
water.

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

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
coastal eastern North Carolina. 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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
Eastern North Carolina. Remain well guarded against life-threatening
flood waters having additional extensive impacts. If realized, these
impacts include:
    - Rainfall flooding may prompt evacuations and rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may
      become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may
      become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Many places where flood waters may cover 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.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
coastal eastern North Carolina. Remain well sheltered from
life-threatening wind having additional extensive impacts. If realized,
these impacts 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.

Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across inland eastern North Carolina. Remain well sheltered from
dangerous wind having additional significant impacts.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across northeastern
North Carolina. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event
having possible 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.

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 venture outside while in the eye of a hurricane as any
improvement in weather will only be temporary. Once the eye passes,
conditions will become life threatening as winds immediately return
to dangerous speeds, so remain safely sheltered from the storm.

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.

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Newport/Morehead City NC around 830 AM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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