[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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WTUS82 KMHX 231808
HLSMHX
NCZ029-044>047-079>081-090>092-094-193>196-198-199-203>205-240215-

Tropical Storm Ophelia Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 9A
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC  AL162023
208 PM EDT Sat Sep 23 2023

This product covers Eastern North Carolina

**OPHELIA CONTINUES TO MOVE INLAND OVER EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - The Storm Surge Warning has been cancelled for East Carteret,
      Pamlico, Southern Craven, and West Carteret
    - The Storm Surge Watch has been cancelled for Coastal Onslow

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - 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 East Carteret,
      Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Northern Craven, Pamlico, Pitt,
      and Southern Craven

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 90 miles west of Duck NC or about 100 miles
      west-northwest of Nags Head NC
    - 36.2N 77.3W
    - Storm Intensity 45 mph
    - Movement North or 355 degrees at 13 mph

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

Tropical Storm Ophelia made landfall near Emerald Isle, NC earlier
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. We continue to monitor
the potential for rapid water level rises across the soundside Outer
Banks later today and into tonight as winds shift to the southwest.
There also remains potential for at least minor overwash also along
the Outer Banks through the weekend.

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

Most of the heavy rainfall has now ended, but some localized areas
of flooding remain, and will be slow to recede through the rest of
the day.

Dangerous marine conditions will continue for all coastal waters,
sounds and rivers, with strong winds and dangerous seas. 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.

* 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.

Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
Greenville. Remain well guarded against dangerous flood waters having
additional significant impacts.

* 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.

Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across the Outer Banks. Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind
having possible limited impacts.

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

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
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.


* 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 PM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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