[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Tropical Storm Ophelia Local Statement Advisory Number 8
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC  AL162023
514 AM EDT Sat Sep 23 2023

This product covers Eastern North Carolina

**TROPICAL STORM OPHELIA TO MAKE LANDFALL THIS MORNING**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

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

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 100 miles southwest of Buxton NC or about 30 miles
      south-southwest of Morehead City NC
    - 34.3N 76.9W
    - Storm Intensity 70 mph
    - Movement North-northwest or 345 degrees at 9 mph

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

Tropical Storm Ophelia, currently located around 25 miles southwest
of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, continues to move north towards the
coast of North Carolina. Ophelia is forecast to make landfall along
the Crystal Coast early this morning. Moderate to locally significant
impacts will continue across eastern North Carolina, with the greatest
impacts along the coast.

Along the coast, life threatening storm surge with inundation 2 to
4 feet above ground level is expected today. Additionally, up to 4 to
6 feet of storm surge is possible across the lower Pamlico and Neuse
Rivers through late morning. There remains potential for at least
minor overwash also along the Outer Banks through the weekend.
Finally, we continue to monitor the potential for rapid water level
rises across the soundside Outer Banks today and into tonight when the
winds shift.

Tropical storm force winds will continue this morning, slowly
improving late this afternoon and evening. These strong winds will
have the potential to cause areas of tree damage and power outages.

Heavy rain will bring additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches,
with isolated amounts up to 6 inches, with the axis of heavier rain
shifting more inland after sunrise this morning. This will bring the
threat of localized flash flooding especially in low-lying, urban, and
poor drainage areas.

An isolated tornado could produce locally significant damage, mainly
east of Highway 17 through late this morning.

Dangerous marine conditions will continue for all coastal waters,
sounds and rivers, with strong winds and dangerous seas. This will
create treacherous conditions for mariners. Localized ocean overwash
is expected along the coast due to high surf. Stronger and more
frequent rip currents will also exist along area beaches through the
weekend.

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

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
coastal North Carolina north of Surf City. Remain well away from life-threatening
surge having additional significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
      waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
    - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
      weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
      spots.
    - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
      numerous rip currents.
    - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
      Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages.

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

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
eastern North Carolina. Remain well sheltered from dangerous
wind having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
      to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
      experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile
      homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight
      objects become dangerous projectiles.
    - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
      numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several
      fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access
      routes impassable.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
eastern North Carolina. Remain well guarded against
life-threatening flood waters having possible extensive impacts.
If realized, these impacts include:
    - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may
      become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may
      become stressed.
    - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
      communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
      away. Many places where flood waters may cover 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.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across areas
east of Highway 17. 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.

Elsewhere across Eastern North Carolina, 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.

During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your
shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best
foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather.

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.

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 12 PM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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