[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Fri Oct 7 14:06:03 CDT 2016

WTUS82 KCHS 071905
HLSCHS
GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047>052-080315-

HURRICANE MATTHEW LOCAL STATEMENT INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 38A
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC  AL142016
305 PM EDT FRI OCT 7 2016

THIS PRODUCT COVERS SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA

**EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HURRICANE MATTHEW TRACKING ALONG THE EAST COAST
OF FLORIDA AND HEADING TOWARD GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - NONE

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR INLAND
      BRYAN...COASTAL BRYAN...INLAND CHATHAM...COASTAL
      CHATHAM...INLAND LIBERTY...COASTAL LIBERTY...INLAND
      MCINTOSH...COASTAL MCINTOSH...DORCHESTER...INLAND
      BERKELEY...INLAND JASPER...BEAUFORT...COASTAL
      COLLETON...CHARLESTON...COASTAL JASPER AND TIDAL BERKELEY
    - A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR
      JENKINS...SCREVEN...CANDLER...BULLOCH...EFFINGHAM...TATTNALL...
      EVANS...LONG...ALLENDALE...HAMPTON AND INLAND COLLETON

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - ABOUT 210 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF CHARLESTON SC OR ABOUT 160
      MILES SOUTH OF SAVANNAH GA
    - 29.7N 80.7W
    - STORM INTENSITY 115 MPH
    - MOVEMENT NORTH-NORTHWEST OR 345 DEGREES AT 12 MPH

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

HURRICANE MATTHEW WILL TRACK NORTH ALONG/NEAR THE EAST COAST OF
FLORIDA THIS AFTERNOON...THEN CONTINUE NORTH NEAR THE GEORGIA COAST
THROUGH THIS EVENING AND TONIGHT. THE HURRICANE SHOULD CONTINUE TO
TRACK NEAR THE SOUTH CAROLINA COAST LATE TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY BEFORE
TURNING NORTHEAST/EAST AND FURTHER OFFSHORE. MATTHEW SHOULD BE A
CATEGORY 2 OR POSSIBLY A CATEGORY 3 HURRICANE AS IT PASSES CLOSE TO
THE GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA COASTS.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS ARE FORECAST TO REACH COASTAL SOUTHEAST
GEORGIA AND COASTAL SOUTH CAROLINA THIS AFTERNOON...THEN SPREAD INTO
INLAND AREAS TONIGHT. ACROSS INLAND AREAS...SUSTAINED WINDS COULD
REACH AS HIGH AS 40-50 MPH WITH GUSTS UP 55-60 MPH. NEAR THE IMMEDIATE
COAST...SUSTAINED WINDS OF 55-65 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 75-80 MPH WILL
BE POSSIBLE. LOCATIONS ALONG THE COAST IN CHARLESTON COUNTY COULD SEE
SUSTAINED WINDS OF 65-75 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 80-90 MPH. THESE WINDS
WILL LIKELY DAMAGE TREES AND WEAKER STRUCTURES AND RESULT IN WIDESPREAD
POWER OUTAGES.

THERE IS NOW AN INCREASING RISK OF SUSTAINED HURRICANE FORCE WINDS
ALONG THE IMMEDIATE COASTLINE DUE TO THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF MATTHEW
TRACKING NEAR THE COAST...ESPECIALLY FOR LOCATIONS ALONG SOUTHEAST
SOUTH CAROLINA. THE THREAT FOR HURRICANE FORCE WINDS WILL INCREASE FOR
COASTAL LOCATIONS TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY...THEN LOWER AS MATTHEW SHIFTS
AWAY FROM THE COAST SATURDAY EVENING INTO SATURDAY NIGHT. THE THREAT
FOR TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS OR HIGHER SHOULD BEGIN TO DECREASE IN
GEORGIA LATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON INTO THE EVENING AND IN SOUTH CAROLINA
SATURDAY EVENING INTO SUNDAY MORNING.

THE LATEST TRACK OF MATTHEW IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE WIDESPREAD RAINFALL
TOTALS OF 8 TO 14 INCHES WITH ISOLATED HIGHER AMOUNTS...HIGHEST ALONG
THE COAST. RAINFALL TOTALS WILL RANGE FROM 4 TO 8 INCHES ACROSS FAR
INLAND LOCATIONS. HEAVY RAINFALL WILL BE ONGOING NOW THROUGH
THROUGH SATURDAY...TAPERING OFF SATURDAY NIGHT FROM SOUTHWEST TO
NORTHEAST. THESE RAINFALL AMOUNTS COULD RESULT IN EXTENSIVE FRESH
WATER FLOODING...ESPECIALLY DURING THE TIMES OF HIGH TIDE AND MAXIMUM
STORM SURGE NEAR THE COAST.

THE MOST LIKELY STORM SURGE SCENARIO ASSOCIATED WITH HURRICANE MATTHEW
IS 6 TO 9 FEET OF INUNDATION ABOVE GROUND LEVEL IN SOUTHEAST GEORGIA.
IN SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA...4 TO 8 FEET OF INUNDATION IS EXPECTED.
STORM SURGE FORECASTS COULD BE HIGHER OR LOWER DEPENDING ON THE TRACK
AND INTENSITY OF MATTHEW AS IT APPROACHES THE AREA. THE COMBINATION OF
STORM SURGE AND WAVES COULD RESULT IN MAJOR COASTAL FLOODING AND
SEVERE BEACH EROSION. HOMES...STRUCTURES AND ROADS NEAR BEACHES COULD
BE COMPROMISED. DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS AND LARGE WAVES WILL MAKE FOR
TREACHEROUS SURF CONDITIONS THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

THE THREAT FOR TORNADOES WILL REMAIN LOW THIS WEEKEND BECAUSE THE
CENTER OF HURRICANE MATTHEW IS ANTICIPATED TO REMAIN OFFSHORE.
HOWEVER...THERE IS A RISK FOR A FEW TORNADOES IN COASTAL AREAS
THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY AS RAIN BANDS MOVE ONSHORE.

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

* WIND:
PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING WIND HAVING POSSIBLE DEVASTATING
IMPACTS ACROSS SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA. 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.

* SURGE:
PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE EXTENSIVE
IMPACTS ACROSS COASTAL SOUTH CAROLINA AND COASTAL GEORGIA. POTENTIAL
IMPACTS IN THIS AREA INCLUDE:
    - LARGE AREAS OF DEEP INUNDATION OF SALTWATER ALONG IMMEDIATE
      SHORELINES AND IN LOW-LYING SPOTS FARTHER INLAND NEAR RIVERS
      AND CREEKS, 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 FLOODED AND IMPASSABLE. FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEMS AND
      BARRIERS COULD 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.
    - DRINKING WATER AND SEWER SERVICES NEGATIVELY IMPACTED.
    - HAZARDOUS CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS POSSIBLY PRESENT IN SURGE
      WATERS.

* FLOODING RAIN:
PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING RAINFALL FLOODING HAVING POSSIBLE
EXTENSIVE IMPACTS ACROSS SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST
GEORGIA...ESPECIALLY FOR LOCATIONS EAST OF HIGHWAY 308 IN GEORGIA AND
EAST OF INTERSTATE 95 IN SOUTH CAROLINA. POTENTIAL IMPACTS INCLUDE:
    - MAJOR RAINFALL FLOODING MAY PROMPT MANY EVACUATIONS AND RESCUES.
    - RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES MAY RAPIDLY OVERFLOW THEIR BANKS IN
      MULTIPLE LOCATIONS. SMALL STREAMS, CREEKS, CANALS, DITCHES MAY
      BECOME DANGEROUS RIVERS. FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEMS AND BARRIERS
      COULD BECOME STRESSED.
    - FLOOD WATERS COULD ENTER MANY STRUCTURES WITHIN MULTIPLE
      COMMUNITIES; SOME STRUCTURES BECOME UNINHABITABLE OR ARE WASHED
      AWAY. FLOOD WATERS COULD COVER MULTIPLE 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.
    - DRINKING WATER AND SEWER SERVICES COULD BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED.
    - HAZARDOUS CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS POSSIBLY PRESENT IN FLOOD
      WATERS.

* TORNADOES:
PROTECT AGAINST A TORNADO EVENT HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED IMPACTS
ACROSS COASTAL AREAS IN SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS INCLUDE:
    - ISOLATED TORNADOES CAN HINDER THE EXECUTION OF EMERGENCY PLANS.
    - ISOLATED LOCATIONS COULD EXPERIENCE TORNADO DAMAGE, ALONG WITH
      POWER AND COMMUNICATIONS DISRUPTIONS.
    - IN ISOLATED LOCATIONS, TORNADOES COULD DAMAGE TREES, VEHICLES,
      BOATS AND BUILDINGS, ESPECIALLY MOBILE HOMES AND AND OTHER
      POORLY CONSTRUCTED STRUCTURES.

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

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

* EVACUATIONS:
IF EVACUATING THE AREA, STICK TO PRESCRIBED EVACUATION ROUTES. LOOK
FOR ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC INFORMATION ON ROADWAY SMART SIGNS AND LISTEN
TO SELECT RADIO CHANNELS FOR FURTHER TRAVEL INSTRUCTIONS. DRIVERS
SHOULD NOT USE CELL PHONES WHILE OPERATING VEHICLES.

IF EVACUATING AWAY FROM THE AREA OR RELOCATING TO A NEARBY SHELTER,
LEAVE EARLY BEFORE WEATHER CONDITIONS BECOME HAZARDOUS.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
OUTSIDE PREPARATIONS SHOULD BE WRAPPED UP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE
WEATHER CONDITIONS COMPLETELY DETERIORATE. ANY REMAINING EVACUATIONS
AND RELOCATIONS SHOULD BE EXPEDITED BEFORE THE ONSET OF TROPICAL
STORM FORCE WIND.

IF YOU ARE RELOCATING TO SAFE SHELTER, LEAVE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. IF
HEADING TO A COMMUNITY SHELTER, BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE SHELTER
RULES BEFORE ARRIVAL, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS OR OWN A
PET. TAKE ESSENTIAL ITEMS WITH YOU FROM YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES KIT.
CHECK THE LATEST WEATHER FORECAST BEFORE DEPARTING.

FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY SHELTER MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR LOSS OF
LIFE. ALWAYS HEED THE ADVICE OF LOCAL OFFICIALS AND COMPLY WITH ANY
ORDERS THAT ARE ISSUED. REMEMBER, DURING THE STORM 9 1 1 EMERGENCY
SERVICES MAY NOT BE ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESPOND IF CONDITIONS ARE
UNSAFE. THIS SHOULD BE A BIG FACTOR IN YOUR DECISION MAKING.

CHECK-IN WITH YOUR EMERGENCY POINTS OF CONTACT AMONG FAMILY, FRIENDS,
AND CO-WORKERS. INFORM THEM OF YOUR STATUS AND WELL-BEING. LET THEM
KNOW HOW YOU INTEND TO RIDE OUT THE STORM AND WHEN YOU PLAN TO
CHECK-IN AGAIN.

KEEP CELL PHONES WELL CHARGED AND HANDY. ALSO, CELL PHONE CHARGERS
FOR AUTOMOBILES CAN BE HELPFUL AFTER THE STORM. LOCATE YOUR CHARGERS
AND KEEP THEM WITH YOUR CELL PHONE.

IN EMERGENCIES IT IS BEST TO REMAIN CALM. STAY INFORMED AND FOCUSED
ON THE SITUATION AT HAND. EXERCISE PATIENCE WITH THOSE YOU ENCOUNTER.
BE A GOOD SAMARITAN AND HELPFUL TO OTHERS.

IF RELOCATING TO A NEARBY SHELTER OR TO THE HOME OF A FAMILY MEMBER
OR FRIEND, DRIVE WITH EXTRA CAUTION, ESPECIALLY ON SECONDARY ROADS.
REMEMBER, MANY BRIDGES AND CAUSEWAYS WILL BE CLOSED ONCE HIGHER WINDS
ARRIVE. ALSO, IF YOU ENCOUNTER WATER COVERING THE ROAD, SEEK AN
ALTERNATE ROUTE. ALWAYS OBEY OFFICIAL ROAD SIGNS FOR CLOSURES AND
DETOURS.

IF YOU ARE A VISITOR AND STILL IN THE AREA, LISTEN FOR THE NAME OF
THE CITY OR TOWN IN WHICH YOU ARE STAYING WITHIN LOCAL NEWS UPDATES.
BE SURE YOU KNOW THE NAME OF THE COUNTY OR PARISH IN WHICH IT
RESIDES. PAY ATTENTION FOR INSTRUCTIONS FROM LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

CLOSELY MONITOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS FOR
OFFICIAL STORM INFORMATION. BE READY TO ADAPT TO POSSIBLE CHANGES TO
THE FORECAST.

* 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 615 PM EDT, OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS
WARRANT.

$$
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