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BULLETIN
Tropical Storm Florence Advisory Number  66
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL062018
500 PM EDT Sat Sep 15 2018

...CENTER OF FLORENCE CONTINUES ITS SLOW WESTWARD TREK ACROSS
EASTERN SOUTH CAROLINA...
...HEAVY RAINS AND CATASTROPHIC FLOODING CONTINUE ACROSS PORTIONS
OF NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTH CAROLINA...


SUMMARY OF 500 PM EDT...2100 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...33.6N 79.9W
ABOUT 60 MI...95 KM W OF MYRTLE BEACH SOUTH CAROLINA
ABOUT 45 MI...70 KM SSW OF FLORENCE SOUTH CAROLINA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...45 MPH...75 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 270 DEGREES AT 2 MPH...4 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...997 MB...29.44 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The Tropical Storm Warning has been discontinued north of Surf
City, North Carolina.  All Storm Surge Warnings have been
discontinued.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* South Santee River South Carolina to Surf City North Carolina

Interests elsewhere in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic states
should monitor the progress of Florence due to the heavy rainfall
threat.

For storm information specific to your area, including possible
inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your
local National Weather Service forecast office.


DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 500 PM EDT (2100 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Florence was
located by NOAA Doppler radars, satellites, and surface observations
near latitude 33.6 North, longitude 79.9 West. Florence is moving
toward the west near 2 mph (4 km/h), and a slow westward motion is
expected to continue through today. A turn toward the west-northwest
and northwest is expected on Sunday. Florence is forecast to turn
northward through the Ohio Valley by Monday.

Radar data, satellite-derived winds, and surface observations
indicate that maximum sustained winds remain near 45 mph (75 km/h)
with higher gusts, mainly to the northeast and east of the center in
heavy rainbands over water. Gradual weakening is forecast while
Florence moves farther inland during the next couple of days, and it
is expected to weaken to a tropical depression later tonight.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km)
from the center.  A sustained wind of 47 mph (76 km/h) with a gust
to 55 mph (89 km/h) was recently reported at the Johnny Mercer Pier
in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.

The estimated minimum central pressure based on nearby surface
observations is 997 mb (29.44 inches).


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
STORM SURGE:  Water levels along the coast of North and South
Carolina are gradually receding.  Some minor coastal flooding is
still possible through Sunday.  For information specific to your
area, please see products issued by your local National Weather
Service forecast office.

RAINFALL: Florence is expected to produce heavy and excessive
rainfall in the following areas...

Southern and central portions of North Carolina into far northeast
South Carolina...an additional 15 to 20 inches, with storm totals
between 30 and 40 inches along the North Carolina coastal areas
south of Cape Hatteras. This rainfall will continue to produce
catastrophic flash flooding and prolonged significant river
flooding.

Remainder of northern South Carolina into western North Carolina and
southwestern Virginia...5 to 10 inches, isolated 15 inches.

West-central Virginia into far eastern West Virginia, north of
Roanoke and west of Charlottesville, 3 to 6 inches, isolated 8
inches.  These rainfall amounts will result in life-threatening
flash flooding and river flooding, along with an elevated risk for
landslides.

A preliminary report from a cooperative observer near Swansboro,
North Carolina, indicates that more than 30 inches of rain has
fallen so far. That rainfall total breaks the tropical cyclone
rainfall record of 24.06 inches for North Carolina set during
Hurricane Floyd in 1999.

WIND:  Tropical storm conditions will continue today in portions of
the warning area along the coast and also over large portions of
eastern North Carolina and extreme eastern South Carolina, with
tropical-storm-force wind gusts spreading well inland.

TORNADOES:  A few tornadoes are possible in southeastern North
Carolina and northeastern South Carolina today through tonight.

SURF:  Swells generated by Florence are affecting Bermuda, portions
of the U.S. East Coast, and the northwestern and central Bahamas.
These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip
current conditions.  Please consult products from your local weather
office.


NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
Next intermediate advisory at 800 PM EDT.
Next complete advisory at 1100 PM EDT.

$$
Forecaster Stewart

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