[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Sat Sep 23 16:25:57 CDT 2023

WTUS81 KAKQ 232125
HLSAKQ
MDZ021>025-NCZ014>017-031-032-102-VAZ075>078-084>086-089-090-093-095>100-523>525-240530-

Tropical Storm Ophelia Local Statement Advisory Number 10
National Weather Service Wakefield VA  AL162023
525 PM EDT Sat Sep 23 2023

This product covers CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA...NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...AND THE LOWER MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

**OPHELIA TRACKING NORTHWARD NEAR THE VIRGINIA NORTH CAROLINA
BORDER**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Storm Surge Warning has been cancelled for Accomack,
      Camden, Chesapeake, Chowan, Eastern Currituck,
      Norfolk/Portsmouth, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans,
      Virginia Beach, and Western Currituck
    - The Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning have been
      cancelled for Bertie
    - The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for Hertford,
      Northampton, and Southampton

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for Gloucester, Hampton/Poquoson, Isle of Wight, James City,
      Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Newport News, Northumberland,
      Suffolk, Surry, Westmoreland, and York
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Accomack, Camden,
      Chesapeake, Chowan, Dorchester, Eastern Currituck, Gates,
      Inland Worcester, Maryland Beaches, Norfolk/Portsmouth,
      Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Richmond, Somerset,
      Virginia Beach, Western Currituck, and Wicomico

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 160 miles southwest of Ocean City MD or about 60 miles
      west of Norfolk VA
    - 36.8N 77.3W
    - Storm Intensity 40 mph
    - Movement North or 360 degrees at 12 mph

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

Tropical Storm Ophelia continues to track northward near the Virginia
North Carolina border early this evening. Ophelia will weaken as it
continues to track northward across eastern Virginia tonight before
becoming extratropical by Sunday morning.

Impacts from Ophelia will continue, which include:

* Dangerous marine and high surf - Dangerous marine conditions are
  expected to continue due to the strong winds and high seas. Seas will
  remain elevated into Sunday. A high risk for rip currents will
  continue through the remainder of the weekend.

* Heavy Rain - heavy downpours will continue to cause localized
  flooding of roads and low-lying areas, especially across central and
  eastern Virginia.

* Winds - Tropical Storm force wind gusts will continue to impact
  northeast North Carolina, east-central Virginia and the lower eastern
  shore through late this evening or tonight. These strong winds will
  have the potential to cause areas of downed trees and power outages.

* Coastal Flooding - Areas of moderate to major coastal flooding are
  expected during the high tide cycle this evening.

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

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA...NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...AND THE
LOWER MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE. Remain well sheltered from hazardous
wind having limited 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, especially if soils are saturated. Some roadway signs
      will sustain damage.
    - A few roads will be impassable from debris. Hazardous driving
      conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways.
    - Scattered power and communications outages.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
EASTERN VIRGINIA. Remain well away from life- threatening surge having
significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Severe storm surge flooding will likely cause inundation of
      numerous roads and buildings, resulting in a threat to life and
      property. Flooding will likely extend inland from the
      waterfront and shoreline flooding homes, businesses and
      isolating some neighborhoods. Large breaking waves will result
      in additional damage near the shoreline.
    - Numerous roads flooded or washed out.
    - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching some dunes.
    - Severe damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers is
      expected. Small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected marinas and docks.

Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
across NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...EASTERN VIRGINIA...AND THE MARYLAND
EASTERN SHORE. Remain well away from locally hazardous surge having
limited impacts.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA. Remain well guarded against life-
threatening flood waters having extensive impacts. If realized, these
impacts include:
    - Evacuations and rescues likely due to flooding from heavy
      rainfall
    - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple places. Small streams, creeks, and ditches may become
      dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become
      overwhelmed.
    - Flood waters enter structures within multiple communities, with
      some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Some
      escape routes inundated by flood waters. Streets, parking lots
      and underpasses could be submerged, with driving conditions
      quickly becoming dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures
      are expected with some becoming weakened or washed out.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across THE LOWER
MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE. Remain well braced against a tornado event
having limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - A few tornadoes are expected. As a result, execution of
      emergency plans could be hindered in affected areas.
    - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power
      and communications disruptions.
    - Roofs peeled off some buildings. A few chimneys toppled and
      mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned. Large tree
      tops and branches snapped off, with some trees knocked over. A
      few vehicles blown off roads.

Elsewhere across CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA...NORTHEAST NORTH
CAROLINA...AND THE LOWER MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE, little to no impact
is anticipated.

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.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see
www.readyvirginia.gov, readync.org or mema.maryland.gov
- For the latest weather and storm information go to
weather.gov/wakefield

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

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Wakefield VA around 12 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

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