Local Statement for Charleston, SC

Sat, Sep 9th 2017, 02:02 PM

Issued at  202 PM EDT Sat Sep 9 2017
000
WTUS82 KCHS 091802
HLSCHS
GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047>052-100215-

Hurricane Irma Local Statement Intermediate Advisory Number 42A
National Weather Service Charleston SC  AL112017
202 PM EDT Sat Sep 9 2017

This product covers Southeast South Carolina and Southeast Georgia

**IRMA TO IMPACT SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA INTO
TUESDAY**

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

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for
      Beaufort, Coastal Bryan, Coastal Chatham, Coastal Colleton,
      Coastal Jasper, Coastal Liberty, Coastal McIntosh, and Inland
      Chatham
    - A Storm Surge Watch and Tropical Storm Watch are in effect for
      Charleston and Tidal Berkeley
    - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Allendale, Bulloch,
      Candler, Dorchester, Effingham, Evans, Hampton, Inland
      Berkeley, Inland Colleton, Jenkins, Long, Screven, and Tattnall
    - A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Inland Bryan, Inland Jasper,
      Inland Liberty, and Inland McIntosh

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 670 miles south of Charleston SC or about 620 miles south
      of Savannah GA
    - 23.1N 80.2W
    - Storm Intensity 125 mph
    - Movement West or 280 degrees at 9 mph

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

Hurricane Irma is expected to move northwest near the west coast of
Florida and through western Georgia through Tuesday. Irma is a large
hurricane and will produce far-reaching effects regardless of where
the exact center of the storm moves. Sustained Category 1 hurricane-
force winds are possible near the coast northward to around Edisto
Beach. Sustained tropical storm-force winds are possible elsewhere
across southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina. This may result
in numerous downed trees and power lines, leading to power outages.
Life-threatening inundation from storm surge is likely in vulnerable
areas near the coast, mainly south of Isle of Palms. Water levels will
produce flooding around the times of high tide, with the highest water
levels expected around the Monday afternoon high tide. Lastly, flash
flooding and tornadoes are also possible, especially across southeast
Georgia.

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

* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across low-lying coastal locations mainly south of Isle of Palms
in South Carolina. Potential impacts in this area include:
    - Areas of inundation of saltwater along immediate shorelines and
      in low-lying spots farther inland near rivers and creeks, 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 normally vulnerable low
      spots.
    - Moderate to major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching
      dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents.
    - Minor to moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and
      piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings,
      especially in unprotected anchorages. Some navigation aids
      possibly displaced well off station, creating difficult
      navigation near inlets and waterways.

Also, prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts mainly north of Isle of Palms in South Carolina.

Elsewhere across southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina,
little to no impact is anticipated.

* WIND:
Prepare for dangerous wind having possible significant impacts mainly south
of a Metter Georgia to Beaufort South Carolina line. Potential impacts in this
area 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.
    - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
      or heavily wooded places. A few bridges and access routes
      impassable.
    - Travel by vehicle or on foot increasingly difficult. Danger of
      death or injury from falling objects such as trees or electric
      wires outside.
    - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
      in areas with above ground lines, which could persist for hours
      or days.
    - Some poorly secured small craft could break loose from their
      moorings.

Also, prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across generally north of a Metter Georgia to Beaufort South Carolina
line.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts mainly south of I-16 in southeast Georgia. Potential
impacts include:
    - Major rainfall flooding could prompt many rescues.
    - Rivers and tributaries could rapidly overflow their banks in
      multiple locations. Small streams, creeks, canals, ditches may
      become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers
      could become stressed.
    - Flood waters could enter many structures within multiple
      communities; some structures become uninhabitable or are washed
      away. Flood waters could cover multiple 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.
    - Drinking water and sewer services could be negatively impacted.
    - Hazardous containers and materials could possibly be present in
      flood waters.

Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited to
significant impacts elsewhere across southeast Georgia and southeast
South Carolina.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across southeast Georgia. Potential impacts
include:
    - Isolated to scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of
      emergency plans.
    - Scattered locations could experience enhanced damage due to
      tornadoes with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss,
      and communications failures.
    - Scattered 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.

Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across southeast
South Carolina.

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
Dangerous and life-threatening surf conditions, including rip currents, high
waves, and beach erosion are expected across coastal areas of southeast South
Carolina and southeast Georgia.

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

* EVACUATIONS:
Consider evacuating, especially if being officially recommended to do so
by local authorities. Relocate to a predetermined shelter or safe destination.

If evacuating away from the area or relocating to a nearby shelter, leave
early before weather conditions become hazardous.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Now is the time to check your emergency plan and take necessary
actions to secure your home or business. Deliberate efforts should be
underway to protect life and property. Ensure that your Emergency
Supplies Kit is stocked and ready.

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track as there are inherent forecast uncertainties
which must be taken into account.

If you live in a place that is particularly vulnerable to high wind,
such as a mobile home, an upper floor of a high rise building, or on
a boat, plan to move to safe shelter. Take enough supplies for you
and your family for several days.

If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as
near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low lying or poor
drainage area, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to safe
shelter on higher ground

Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders
that are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives
of others.

Closely monitor NOAA weather radio or other local news outlets for
official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the
forecast.

* 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 Charleston SC around 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

Click here to read more at The National Hurricane Center

 Sponsored Ads