***TROPICAL STORM WARNING & FLASH FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT*** - Florence Tracker - UPDATED 5:42 PM, Friday, Sept. 14
As of 5:42 pm on Friday, September 14th most of our area is under a Tropical Storm Warning, Tornado Watch, Flash Flood Warning, and Flood Warning. Rainfall predictions, path predictions and more from the National Weather Service.
Flash Flood Warning
Alert:
The National Weather Service in Newport has extended the
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Lenoir County in eastern North Carolina...
Duplin County in eastern North Carolina...
* Until 300 AM EDT Saturday.
* At 533 PM EDT, A rainband from Tropical Storm Florence will bring heavy rain to the warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring. The additional rain will exasperate ongoing flooding. The heavy rain will continue through the night with an additional 2 to 4 inches expected.
* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Kinston, Wallace, Warsaw, La Grange, Mount Olive, Grifton, Beautancus, Kenansville, Chinquapin, Dawson, and Potters Hill.
Hurricane Local Statement
Alert:
This product covers Eastern North Carolina
**DANGEROUS HURRICANE FLORENCE CONTINUES TO BRING LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGE AND POTENTIALLY HISTORIC RAINFALL WITH CATASTROPHIC FLOODING TO PORTIONS OF EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- The Hurricane Warning has been cancelled and a Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Jones, Onslow, and Pamlico
- The Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning have been cancelled for Martin
- The Tropical Storm Warning has been cancelled for Mainland Dare, Tyrrell, and Washington
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Duplin, Greene, and Lenoir
- A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Jones, Mainland Hyde, Onslow, Outer Banks Dare, Outer Banks Hyde, Pamlico, and Pitt
- A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Mainland Dare, Tyrrell, and Washington
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 200 miles west-southwest of Buxton NC or about 120 miles west-southwest of Morehead City NC
- 34.0N 78.6W
- Storm Intensity 70 mph
- Movement West or 270 degrees at 3 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
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Tropical Storm Florence continues to creep generally westward across far southern North Carolina. Life threatening impacts from Florence, including extreme storm surge, catastrophic and possibly historic flooding rains, and damaging winds continue. The very slow westward motion of Florence will prolong these dangerous conditions into Saturday.
Extreme storm surge impacts will continue with Tropical Storm Florence. Inundation of up to 7 to 11 feet above ground with locally higher amounts will continue for waterways along the western side of the Pamlico Sound and in the upper tidal reaches of the Neuse, Pamlico, Pungo, and Bay Rivers. Hundreds of water rescues have already occurred. Significant storm surge will also continue for areas south of Cape Lookout, southern portions of the Albemarle sound and along the Outer Banks south of Rodanthe.
The potential for historic flooding continues across southeastern North Carolina due to the prolonged period of heavy rainfall. The area has received as much as 10 to 20 inches over the last 24 hours, and additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 FEET are possible through the weekend. Highest rainfall totals are expected across the southern half of the area. These rainfall amounts will likely cause catastrophic flash flooding, followed by significant and prolonged river flooding lasting well into next week.
Major to potentially record river flooding is expected for rivers and streams primarily over Duplin, Onslow, Carteret, and Craven Counties where the heaviest rain is likely to fall. Elsewhere all other rivers and streams are vulnerable to moderate or major flooding with this storm. Flooding of rivers and creeks will continue to rise well into next week. Given the generally slow rise of area rivers, most won`t crest until mid to late next week extending the impacts from this long duration flood event.
Tropical storm force winds will continue across the southern portion of the area, with the strongest winds occurring in rainbands. The saturated ground and long duration of high winds will continue to bring down trees and lead to widespread power outages.
The threat for tornadoes will continue today across the area, with the greatest threat along coastal areas of eastern North Carolina. Very dangerous marine conditions, with extreme seas of 15 to 25 feet, will continue into the weekend, especially south of Cape Hatteras. Large surf will lead to continued large and dangerous breaking waves, coastal erosion, and an elevated threat for rip currents.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event continue across areas adjacent to the Pamlico Sound, Neuse, Bay, and Pamlico Rivers. Remain well away from life-threatening surge having additional extensive impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- Large areas of deep inundation 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 severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may 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.
Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding across the southern Albemarle Sound, and waterways south of Cape Lookout. Remain well away from life-threatening surge having additional significant impacts.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across much of eastern North Carolina. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having additional devastating impacts.
If realized, these impacts include:
- Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become raging rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across much of southeastern South Carolina. Remain well sheltered from dangerous wind having additional 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.
* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across much of eastern North Carolina, especially areas near Cape Lookout. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
- Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
- Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about.
Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
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* 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. 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.
Quickly move to the safest place within your shelter if it begins to fail, preferably an interior room on the lowest floor as long as flooding is not a concern. 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.
NEXT UPDATE
-----------
The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Newport/Morehead City NC around 8 PM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.
* FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- http://ready.gov/hurricanes
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