[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

Wed Jul 7 22:19:50 CDT 2021

WTUS82 KMHX 080319
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NCZ029-044>047-079>081-090>092-094-193>196-198-199-203>205-081130-

Tropical Storm Elsa Local Statement Advisory Number 32
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC  AL052021
1119 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021

This product covers Eastern North Carolina

**ELSA WILL IMPACT EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA THURSDAY INTO THURSDAY
NIGHT**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
      Warning for Beaufort, Coastal Onslow, Duplin, East Carteret,
      Greene, Hatteras Island, Inland Onslow, Jones, Lenoir, Mainland
      Dare, Mainland Hyde, Martin, Northern Craven, Northern Outer
      Banks, Ocracoke Island, Pamlico, Pitt, Southern Craven,
      Tyrrell, Washington, and West Carteret

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Beaufort, Coastal
      Onslow, Duplin, East Carteret, Greene, Hatteras Island, Inland
      Onslow, Jones, Lenoir, Mainland Dare, Mainland Hyde, Martin,
      Northern Craven, Northern Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island,
      Pamlico, Pitt, Southern Craven, Tyrrell, Washington, and West
      Carteret

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 450 miles west-southwest of Buxton NC or about 370 miles
      west-southwest of Morehead City NC
    - 32.1N 82.3W
    - Storm Intensity 45 mph
    - Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 16 mph

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

Tropical Storm Elsa is forecast to lift northeast passing just to the
west of eastern North Carolina.

Heavy rain bands and embedded thunderstorms from this system will
overspread the area tomorrow and continue through tomorrow evening
producing 1 to 2 inches of rainfall with a threat of minor localized
flooding.

Additionally, a few tornadoes will be possible tomorrow into tomorrow
night, which could lead to locally enhanced damage.

Tropical storm force winds, in the form of wind gusts, are possible
tomorrow and tomorrow evening across eastern North Carolina. This
could lead to some downed trees and isolated power outages.

Minor storm surge flooding up to 2 feet above ground will be possible
late tomorrow into tomorrow night along sound-side locations of the
Outer Banks, mainly north of Cape Hatteras.

The threat for stronger and more frequent rip currents will develop
along area beaches tomorrow.

Dangerous marine conditions are also expected, with strong winds and
seas building to 6 to 10 feet creating treacherous conditions for
mariners.

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

* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across Eastern North Carolina. 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, and small boats
      pulled from moorings.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across Eastern North Carolina. 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, 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.

* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
Eastern 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.

* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
across sound-side Outer Banks north of Cape Hatteras. Potential
impacts in this area include:
    - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
      immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
      farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
    - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
      with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
      surge water covers the road.
    - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
      in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
    - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
      and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.

Elsewhere across Eastern North Carolina, little to no impact is
anticipated.

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
Dangerous surf conditions and the high risk for rip currents will
continue for area beaches through Friday.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions,
including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so
immediately.

* 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 you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in
which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which
it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay
attention for instructions from local authorities.

Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!

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, upper floors of a high-rise building, 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 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 6 AM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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