645 WTNT31 KNHC 152339 TCPAT1 BULLETIN 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