[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement
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Fri Sep 22 22:05:53 CDT 2023
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Tropical Storm Ophelia Local Statement Advisory Number 7
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC AL162023
1105 PM EDT Fri Sep 22 2023
This product covers Eastern North Carolina
**OPHELIA EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL EARLY SATURDAY MORNING**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Hurricane
Watch are in effect for East Carteret, Pamlico, Southern
Craven, and West Carteret
- A Tropical Storm Warning, Storm Surge Watch, and Hurricane
Watch are in effect for Coastal Onslow
- A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
for Beaufort, Hatteras Island, Mainland Hyde, Northern Outer
Banks, and Ocracoke Island
- A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect
for Mainland Dare, Tyrrell, and Washington
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Duplin, Greene,
Inland Onslow, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Northern Craven, and Pitt
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 140 miles south-southwest of Buxton NC or about 80 miles
south of Morehead City NC
- 33.6N 76.8W
- Storm Intensity 70 mph
- Movement North-northwest or 330 degrees at 12 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Tropical Storm Ophelia, currently located around 70 miles south of
Morehead City, North Carolina, continues to move north towards the
coast of North Carolina. Ophelia is forecast to make landfall across
the Crystal Coast early Saturday morning. Moderate to locally
significant impacts will occur across eastern North Carolina, with the
greatest impacts along the coast.
Along the coast, water levels have begun to rise, and life threatening
storm surge with inundation 2 to 4 feet above ground level is expected
into Saturday. Additionally, up to 4 to 6 feet of storm surge is
possible across the lower Pamlico and Neuse Rivers. There remains
potential for at least minor overwash also along the Outer Banks
through the weekend. Finally, we continue to monitor the potential for
rapid water level rises across the soundside Outer Banks tomorrow and
into tomorrow night when the winds shift.
Tropical storm force winds have reached the coast and are beginning to
reach further inland. Winds will continue to increase in intensity
through Saturday, and continue to expand inland. These strong winds
will have the potential to cause areas of tree damage and power
outages.
Heavy rain will bring additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches,
with isolated amounts up to 6 to 8 inches, especially near and just to
the west of the track of Ophelia. This will bring the threat of
localized flash flooding especially in low-lying, urban, and poor
drainage areas.
A few tornadoes could produce locally significant damage, mainly east
of Highway 17 through early Saturday.
Dangerous marine conditions will continue for all coastal waters,
sounds and rivers, with strong winds and dangerous seas. This will
create treacherous conditions for mariners. Localized ocean overwash
is expected along the coast due to high surf. Stronger and more
frequent rip currents will also exist along area beaches through the
weekend.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
coastal North Carolina north of Surf City. Remain well away from life-threatening
surge having additional significant 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.
Elsewhere across Eastern North Carolina, little to no impact is
anticipated.
* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
eastern North Carolina. Remain well sheltered from dangerous
wind having possible 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.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
eastern North Carolina. Remain well guarded against
life-threatening flood waters having possible extensive impacts. If
realized, these impacts include:
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many 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.
* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across eastern
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 be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos.
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 5 AM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.
$$
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