[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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NCZ029-044>047-079>081-090>092-094-193>196-198-199-203>205-082330-

Tropical Storm Elsa Local Statement Advisory Number 34
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC  AL052021
1124 AM EDT Thu Jul 8 2021

This product covers Eastern North Carolina

**TROPICAL STORM ELSA WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT EASTERN NORTH
CAROLINA TODAY INTO TONIGHT**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* 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 240 miles west of Buxton NC or about 170 miles west of
      Morehead City NC
    - 35.0N 79.7W
    - Storm Intensity 45 mph
    - Movement Northeast or 40 degrees at 20 mph

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

Tropical Storm Elsa has entered the county warning area and will
continue to lift northeast across the Carolinas into tonight bringing
gusty winds, periods of heavy rain, and the threat for a few tornadoes.

Wind gusts to tropical storm force could lead to some downed trees and
isolated power outages and tornadoes would bring locally enhanced
damage. Heavy rain bands could bring a threat of localized flooding,
especially in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

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

Dangerous marine conditions are also expected, with strong winds and
seas building to 6 to 10 feet creating treacherous conditions for
mariners. The threat for stronger and more frequent rip currents will
also exist along area beaches.

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

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across Eastern
North Carolina. Remain well braced against a tornado event having
possible limited impacts. If realized, these 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:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
Eastern North Carolina. Remain well guarded against dangerous flood
waters having possible significant impacts. If
realized, these 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:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
Eastern North Carolina. Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind
having possible 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, 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:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
sound-side Outer Banks north of Cape Hatteras. Remain well away from
locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts. If
realized, these impacts 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 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.

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 PM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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