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Tropical Storm Florence Intermediate Advisory Number 66A
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL062018
800 PM EDT Sat Sep 15 2018

...CENTER OF FLORENCE DRIFTING WESTWARD OVER SOUTH CAROLINA...
...FLASH FLOODING AND MAJOR RIVER FLOODING OCCURRING OVER A
SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE CAROLINAS...


SUMMARY OF 800 PM EDT...0000 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...33.6N 80.1W
ABOUT 45 MI...75 KM SSW OF FLORENCE SOUTH CAROLINA
ABOUT 65 MI...100 KM ESE OF COLUMBIA 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:

None.

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 800 PM EDT (0000 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Florence was
located by NOAA Doppler radars near latitude 33.6 North, longitude
80.1 West.  Florence is moving toward the west near 2 mph (4 km/h),
and a slow westward motion is expected to continue through tonight.
A turn toward the west-northwest and northwest is expected on
Sunday.  Florence is forecast to turn northward through the Ohio
Valley by Monday.

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 tonight or by Sunday morning.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km)
mainly to the east of the center near the coast and over water.
Within the past hour or two, a sustained wind of 46 mph (74 km/h)
with a gust to 59 mph (95 km/h) was reported at the Johnny Mercer
Pier in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.  A wind gust to 45 mph
(72 km/h) was recently reported near Hartsville, South 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.

WIND:  Tropical storm conditions will continue overnight 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 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 complete advisory at 1100 PM EDT.

$$
Forecaster Berg

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