[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Zeta Local Statement Advisory Number 17
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA  AL282020
531 PM EDT Wed Oct 28 2020

This product covers Virginia and Northwest North Carolina

**Tropical Cyclone Zeta to Bring High Winds, Flooding Rainfall, and
Isolated Tornadoes to the Forecast Area Thursday**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Alleghany NC,
      Ashe, Carroll, Caswell, Charlotte, Floyd, Franklin, Grayson,
      Halifax, Henry, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Rockingham, Stokes,
      Surry, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yadkin

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Alleghany NC, Ashe,
      Carroll, Caswell, Charlotte, Floyd, Franklin, Grayson, Halifax,
      Henry, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry,
      Watauga, Wilkes, and Yadkin

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 820 miles southwest of Danville VA or about 800 miles
      southwest of Reidsville NC
    - 29.2N 90.6W
    - Storm Intensity 110 mph
    - Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 24 mph

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

Hurricane Zeta nearing the southeast Louisiana Gulf Coast will move
rapidly inland overnight and turn northeast and move rapidly across
central and northern Alabama, northern Georgia, and across southern
Virginia on Thursday. This system is still expected to have tropical
storm characteristics as it moves across Virginia Thursday morning
into the early afternoon.

As Zeta moves toward the region, tropical storm force winds will begin
to impact southwestern areas, especially along and east of the Blue
Ridge, across northwest North Carolina early Thursday, with these
winds spreading northeast across sections along and east of the Blue
Ridge in Virginia through Thursday morning into the afternoon across
the Piedmont. Wind speeds in the 40 to 50 mph range with higher gusts
in rain bands to the northeast of the center can be expected along and
east of the Blue Ridge. These winds will be strong enough to topple
trees and result in widespread power outages. In addition, isolated
tornadoes may occur within some of the stronger bands from late Friday
into the weekend. Residents should be prepared to be without power for
a few days and stock up on supplies accordingly.

Finally, heavy rainfall will also accompany Florence with amounts of
2 to 3 inches widespread along and west of the Blue Ridge with locally
4 inches across the mountains of western North Carolina into far
southwest Virginia. Flash Flooding and flooding can be expected as a
result of this heavy rain Thursday morning into the afternoon.

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

* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
Virginia and Northwest North Carolina. Potential 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.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous flooding rainfall having possible
significant impacts across northwest and north central North Carolina
as well as much of southwest, west central, and south central Virginia.
Potential impacts include:
    - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and
      rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter
      currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially
      in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals,
      arroyos, and ditches overflow.
    - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations.
      Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid
      inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
      areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as
      storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions
      become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.

Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across Southside Virginia and North Central North Carolina 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.

Elsewhere across Virginia and Northwest North Carolina, little to no
impact is anticipated.

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

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.

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.

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

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.

ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see readync.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see vaemergency.gov

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

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Blacksburg VA around 11 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

$$

RAB
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