[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Thu Oct 6 01:21:16 CDT 2016

WTUS82 KCHS 060621
HLSCHS
GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047>052-061430-

HURRICANE MATTHEW LOCAL STATEMENT INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 32A
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC  AL142016
221 AM EDT THU OCT 6 2016

THIS PRODUCT COVERS SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA

**HURRICANE MATTHEW WILL IMPACT THE REGION LATE THIS WEEK INTO THIS
WEEKEND**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A HURRICANE WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR INLAND
      JASPER...BEAUFORT...COASTAL COLLETON AND COASTAL JASPER

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR INLAND
      JASPER...BEAUFORT...COASTAL COLLETON AND COASTAL JASPER
    - A HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR INLAND BRYAN...COASTAL
      BRYAN...INLAND CHATHAM...COASTAL CHATHAM...INLAND
      LIBERTY...COASTAL LIBERTY...INLAND MCINTOSH AND COASTAL MCINTOSH
    - A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR EFFINGHAM...LONG

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - ABOUT 650 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF CHARLESTON SC OR ABOUT 630
      MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF SAVANNAH GA
    - 23.7N 76.7W
    - STORM INTENSITY 115 MPH
    - MOVEMENT NORTHWEST OR 320 DEGREES AT 10 MPH

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

HURRICANE MATTHEW WILL TRACK NORTHWEST FROM THE BAHAMAS TOWARD CENTRAL
FLORIDA OVERNIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY...THEN IS EXPECTED TO TURN NORTH AND
TRACK NEAR THE GEORGIA COAST FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY. THE HURRICANE
COULD CONTINUE TO TRACK NEAR THE SOUTH CAROLINA COAST OR COULD COULD TURN
TOWARD THE NORTHEAST SATURDAY. MATTHEW COULD PASS CLOSE TO THE GEORGIA
AND SOUTH CAROLINA COASTS AS A CATEGORY 2 OR CATEGORY 3 HURRICANE. THE
MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS FROM MATTHEW WILL LIKELY SPREAD NORTH ACROSS THE
AREA AHEAD/ALONG THE PATH OF THE STORM...POSSIBLY REACHING SOUTHEAST
GEORGIA DURING FRIDAY AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AS EARLY AS FRIDAY
EVENING.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS ARE FORECAST TO REACH COASTAL SOUTHEAST
GEORGIA FRIDAY AFTERNOON INTO EARLY EVENING...THEN NORTH ALONG COASTAL
SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA FRIDAY NIGHT. SUSTAINED WINDS COULD REACH AS
HIGH AS 40-50 MPH INLAND TO 60-70 MPH NEAR THE COAST. THESE WINDS
COULD DAMAGE TREES AND WEAKER STRUCTURES AND RESULT IN WIDESPREAD
POWER OUTAGES. THE THREAT FOR TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS OR HIGHER
SHOULD BEGIN TO DECREASE SATURDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY MORNING SUNDAY. THE
THREAT FOR HURRICANE FORCE WINDS WILL INCREASE FOR LOCATIONS NEAR THE
COAST LATE FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY...THEN LOWER AS MATTHEW SHIFTS
AWAY FROM THE COAST.

MATTHEW WILL LIKELY PRODUCE HEAVY RAINFALL OVER THE AREA...ESPECIALLY
NEAR THE COAST. STORM TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS RANGING FROM 5 TO 10 INCHES
WITH ISOLATED GREATER AMOUNTS ARE POSSIBLE THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY
NIGHT. THESE RAINFALL AMOUNTS COULD RESULT IN EXTENSIVE FRESH WATER
FLOODING...ESPECIALLY DURING THE TIMES OF HIGH TIDE AND MAXIMUM STORM
SURGE NEAR THE COAST THIS WEEKEND.

THE MOST LIKELY STORM SURGE SCENARIO ASSOCIATED WITH HURRICANE MATTHEW
IS 4 TO 8 FEET OF WATER ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. STORM SURGE FORECASTS
COULD BE HIGHER/LOWER DEPENDING ON THE TRACK AND INTENSITY OF MATTHEW
AS IT APPROACHES THE AREA THIS WEEKEND. THE COMBINATION OF STORM SURGE
AND WAVES COULD RESULT IN MAJOR COASTAL FLOODING AND SEVERE BEACH
EROSION. HOMES...STRUCTURES AND ROADS NEAR/ALONG BEACHES COULD BE
COMPROMISED. THE THREAT FOR DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS WILL ALSO INCREASE
WITH THE APPROACH OF MATTHEW LATE WEEK INTO THE WEEKEND.

THE THREAT FOR TORNADOES WILL REMAIN LOW BECAUSE THE CENTER OF
HURRICANE MATTHEW IS ANTICIPATED TO REMAIN OFFSHORE. HOWEVER...THERE
IS A RISK OF AN ISOLATED WATERSPOUT MOVING ONSHORE FRIDAY INTO
SATURDAY UNTIL MATTHEW SHIFTS FURTHER OFFSHORE LATER SATURDAY.

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

* WIND:
PREPARE FOR LIFE-THREATENING WIND HAVING POSSIBLE DEVASTATING IMPACTS
ACROSS COASTAL COUNTIES. POTENTIAL IMPACTS IN THIS AREA
INCLUDE:
    - STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO STURDY BUILDINGS, SOME WITH COMPLETE ROOF
      AND WALL FAILURES. COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF MOBILE HOMES. DAMAGE
      GREATLY ACCENTUATED BY LARGE AIRBORNE PROJECTILES. LOCATIONS
      MAY BE UNINHABITABLE FOR WEEKS OR MONTHS.
    - UNSAFE TO SHELTER EVEN IN WELL-CONSTRUCTED BUILDINGS.
      IMPOSSIBLE TO VENTURE OUTSIDE DUE TO FALLING OBJECTS AND
      AIRBORNE PROJECTILES.
    - NUMEROUS LARGE TREES SNAPPED OR UPROOTED ALONG WITH FENCES AND
      ROADWAY SIGNS BLOWN OVER.
    - MANY ROADS IMPASSABLE FROM LARGE DEBRIS, AND MORE WITHIN URBAN
      OR HEAVILY WOODED LOCATIONS. MOST OR ALL BRIDGES AND ACCESS
      ROUTES IMPASSABLE.
    - WIDESPREAD DAMAGE TO POWER AND COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE
      WITH RESULTING OUTAGES POSSIBLY LASTING FOR WEEKS OR LONGER.
      GAS LEAKS AND FALLEN ELECTRIC WIRES POSE A THREAT TO LIFE.
    - MANY VESSELS WILL LIKELY BREAK FREE FROM MOORINGS.

ALSO, PREPARE FOR LIFE-THREATENING WIND HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED TO
EXTENSIVE IMPACTS ACROSS INLAND AREAS.

* SURGE:
PREPARE FOR LIFE-THREATENING SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE DEVASTATING
IMPACTS ACROSS THE IMMEDIATE COAST. POTENTIAL IMPACTS IN THIS AREA
INCLUDE:
    - WIDESPREAD DEEP INUNDATION OF SALTWATER ALONG IMMEDIATE
      SHORELINES AND IN LOW-LYING SPOTS FARTHER INLAND NEAR RIVERS
      AND CREEKS, WITH STORM SURGE FLOODING GREATLY ACCENTUATED BY
      POWERFUL BATTERING WAVES. MANY BUILDINGS WASHED AWAY OR
      EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. DAMAGE GREATLY COMPOUNDED BY CONSIDERABLE
      BATTERING BY FLOATING DEBRIS. LOCATIONS MAY BE UNINHABITABLE
      FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD.
    - NEAR-SHORE ESCAPE ROUTES AND SECONDARY ROADS WASHED OUT OR
      SEVERELY FLOODED. FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEMS AND BARRIERS MAY BECOME
      STRESSED OR OVERWHELMED.
    - EXTREME BEACH EROSION LIKELY WITH SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF DUNES.
      POTENTIAL FOR NEW INLETS CARVED INTO OR THROUGH SOME BARRIER
      ISLANDS. LARGE AMOUNTS OF SAND BLOCKING ROADS ON BARRIER
      ISLANDS.
    - MASSIVE DAMAGE TO MARINAS, DOCKS, BOARDWALKS, AND PIERS.
      NUMEROUS SMALL CRAFT BROKEN AWAY FROM MOORINGS WITH MANY LIFTED
      ONSHORE AND STRANDED. MANY AIDS TO NAVIGATION LOST. SIGNIFICANT
      DEBRIS PRESENTS A HAZARD TO NAVIGATION.
    - WATER AND SEWER SERVICES LIKELY NOT AVAILABLE.
    - HAZARDOUS CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS LIKELY PRESENT IN SURGE
      WATERS.
    - GAS LEAKS AND FALLEN ELECTRIC WIRES POSE A THREAT TO LIFE.

ALSO, PREPARE FOR LIFE-THREATENING SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANT
TO EXTENSIVE IMPACTS ACROSS LOW-LYING AREAS WITHIN THE TIDAL ZONE.

ALSO, PREPARE FOR LOCALLY HAZARDOUS SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED
IMPACTS ACROSS LOW-LYING AREAS JUST INLAND FROM THE NORMAL TIDAL
ZONE.

ELSEWHERE ACROSS SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA,
LITTLE TO NO IMPACT IS ANTICIPATED.

* FLOODING RAIN:
PREPARE FOR LOCALLY HAZARDOUS RAINFALL FLOODING HAVING POSSIBLE
LIMITED IMPACTS ACROSS SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST
GEORGIA. POTENTIAL IMPACTS INCLUDE:
    - LOCALIZED RAINFALL FLOODING COULD PROMPT A FEW EVACUATIONS.
    - RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES COULD QUICKLY RISE WITH SWIFTER
      CURRENTS. SMALL STREAMS, CREEKS, CANALS, AND DITCHES COULD
      BECOME SWOLLEN AND OVERFLOW IN SPOTS.
    - FLOOD WATERS CAN ENTER A FEW STRUCTURES, ESPECIALLY IN NORMALLY
      VULNERABLE SPOTS. RAPID PONDING OF WATER COULD OCCUR AT
      UNDERPASSES, LOW-LYING SPOTS, AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS. SEVERAL
      STORM DRAINS AND RETENTION PONDS BECOME NEAR-FULL AND BEGIN TO
      OVERFLOW. SOME BRIEF ROAD AND BRIDGE CLOSURES.

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
DANGEROUS AND FREQUENT RIP CURRENTS...HIGH SURF AND SIGNIFICANT BEACH
EROSION ARE EXPECTED.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
WATCH/WARNING PHASE - FOR THOSE UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS, LEAVE AS
SOON AS PRACTICAL WITH A DESTINATION IN MIND. GAS UP YOUR VEHICLE
WELL AHEAD OF TIME. BE SURE THAT YOU TAKE ALL ESSENTIAL MATERIALS
FROM YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES KIT. LET OTHERS KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING
AND WHEN YOU INTEND TO ARRIVE.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
IF YOU LIVE IN A PLACE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO FLOODING, SUCH AS
NEAR THE OCEAN OR A LARGE INLAND LAKE, IN A LOW LYING OR POOR
DRAINAGE AREA, OR NEAR AN ALREADY SWOLLEN RIVER, PLAN TO MOVE TO SAFE
SHELTER ON HIGHER GROUND

ALWAYS HEED THE ADVICE OF LOCAL OFFICIALS AND COMPLY WITH ANY ORDERS
THAT ARE ISSUED. DO NOT NEEDLESSLY JEOPARDIZE YOUR LIFE OR THE LIVES
OF OTHERS.

BE SURE TO LET FRIENDS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS KNOW OF YOUR
INTENTIONS AND WHEREABOUTS FOR SURVIVING THE STORM. FOR EMERGENCY
PURPOSES, HAVE SOMEONE LOCATED AWAY FROM THE THREATENED AREA SERVE AS
YOUR POINT OF CONTACT. SHARE VITAL CONTACT INFORMATION WITH OTHERS.
KEEP CELL PHONES HANDY AND WELL CHARGED.

* 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 6 AM EDT, OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS
WARRANT.

$$
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