WTUS82 KMHX 111443 HLSMHX NCZ029-044>047-079>081-090>095-098-103-104-112245- Hurricane Irene Local Statement Advisory Number 22 National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC AL092017 943 AM EST Wed Jan 11 2017 This product covers Eastern North Carolina **DANGEROUS HURRICANE IRENE FORECAST TO APPROACH EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA COAST ON THURSDAY** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning for Pitt, Duplin, Lenoir, Jones, and Martin - A Hurricane Watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning and A Storm Surge Watch has been upgraded to a Storm Surge Warning for Washington, Tyrrell, Mainland Dare, Beaufort, Mainland Hyde, Craven, Pamlico, Carteret, Onslow, Outer Banks Dare, and Outer Banks Hyde - A Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Greene * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Pitt, Duplin, Lenoir, Jones, and Martin - A Hurricane Warning and Storm Surge Warning are in effect for Washington, Tyrrell, Mainland Dare, Beaufort, Mainland Hyde, Craven, Pamlico, Carteret, Onslow, Outer Banks Dare, and Outer Banks Hyde - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Greene * STORM INFORMATION: - About 580 miles south of Buxton NC or About 530 miles south of Morehead City NC - 27.0N 77.3W - Storm Intensity 115 mph - Movement North-northwest or 335 degrees at 14 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ When making decisions...do not focus on the exact forecast track. Due to the size and the strength of the storm...there is a potential for major to devastating impacts from wind across eastern North Carolina as well as significant to extensive impacts from storm surge along portions of the coast Thursday into Friday. Residents of eastern North Carolina need to heed the advice of their local emergency officials and complete their preparedness actions today. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts across portions of eastern North Carolina. Potential impacts in this area include: - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks or months. - Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. - Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Widespread power and communications outages. * SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible extensive impacts across areas along the Neuse and Pamlico rivers as well as coastal sections of Onslow county. Potential impacts in these areas 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. Also, protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts across portions of the Outer Banks and Pamlico Sound facing areas. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible devastating impacts across portions of eastern North Carolina. Potential 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, arroyos, and ditches may become raging rivers. In mountain areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. 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. * TORNADOES: Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across eastern North Carolina. Potential 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 ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: For those under evacuation orders, leave as soon as practical with a destination in mind. Gas up your vehicle well ahead of time. Be sure that you take all essential materials from your emergency supplies kit. Let others know where you are going and when you intend to arrive. For those not under evacuation orders, understand that there are inherent risks to evacuation (such as traffic congestion, accidents, and driving in bad weather), so evacuate only if necessary. Help keep roadways open for those that are under evacuation orders. If you are exceptionally vulnerable to wind or water hazards from tropical systems, consider voluntary evacuation, especially if being officially recommended. Relocate to a predetermined shelter or safe destination. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to bring to completion all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. If you are a visitor and still in the area, listen for the name of the city or town in which you are staying within local news updates. Be sure you know the name of the county or parish in which it resides. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities. Closely monitor NOAA Weather radio or other local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to 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 Newport/Morehead City NC around NOON, or sooner if conditions warrant. $$