WTUS82 KMHX 111342 TCVMHX URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Irene Local Watch/Warning Statement/Advisory Number 22 National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC AL092017 926 AM EST Wed Jan 11 2017 NCZ104-112145- /O.NEW.KMHX.SS.W.1009.170111T1426Z-000000T0000Z/ /O.NEW.KMHX.HU.W.1009.170111T1426Z-000000T0000Z/ /O.UPG.KMHX.HU.A.1009.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/ /O.UPG.KMHX.SS.A.1009.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/ Outer Banks Hyde- 926 AM EST Wed Jan 11 2017 ...HURRICANE WARNING IN EFFECT... ...STORM SURGE WARNING IN EFFECT... A Hurricane Warning means Hurricane wind conditions are expected somewhere within this area and within the next 36 hours A Storm Surge Warning means life-threatening inundation levels are expected somewhere within this area and within the next 36 hours * LOCATIONS AFFECTED - Ocracoke * WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Cat 1 Hurricane force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 75-95 mph with gusts to 115 mph - Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Thursday morning until Friday afternoon - Window for Hurricane force winds: Thursday evening until Friday afternoon - CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Extreme - The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - Emergency plans should include a reasonable threat for major hurricane force wind greater than 110 mph of equivalent Category 3 intensity or higher. - To be safe, aggressively prepare for the potential of devastating to catastrophic wind impacts. Remaining efforts to secure properties should now be brought to completion. - Extremely dangerous and life-threatening wind is possible. Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury, loss of life, or immense human suffering. Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Devastating to Catastrophic - 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. * STORM SURGE - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Life-threatening storm surge possible - Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for 2-4 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas - Window of concern: Begins early Thursday afternoon - CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Moderate - The storm surge threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - Emergency plans should include a reasonable threat for dangerous storm surge flooding of greater than 3 feet above ground. - To be safe, earnestly prepare for the potential of significant storm surge flooding impacts. Evacuation efforts should now be brought to completion. Evacuations must be complete before driving conditions become unsafe. - Life-threatening inundation is possible. Failure to heed evacuation orders may result in serious injury or loss of life. Leave if evacuation orders are given for your area. Consider voluntary evacuation if recommended. Poor decisions may needlessly risk lives. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant - Areas of inundation 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 usually vulnerable low spots. - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents. - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages. * FLOODING RAIN - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Peak Rainfall Amounts: 4-8 inches, with locally higher amounts - CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Moderate - The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - Emergency plans should include a reasonable threat for moderate flooding where peak rainfall totals notably exceed amounts conducive for flash flooding and rapid inundation. Rescues and emergency evacuations are possible. - To be safe, earnestly prepare for the potential of significant flooding rain impacts. - Dangerous flooding is possible. Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life. If flood related watches and warnings are issued, heed recommended actions. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures. * TORNADO - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Situation is favorable for tornadoes - CURRENT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY: Moderate - The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - When implementing emergency plans, include should include a reasonable threat for scattered tornadoes. - To be safe, earnestly prepare for the potential of significant tornado impacts. - Listen for tornado watches and warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly if a tornado approaches. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant - 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. * FOR MORE INFORMATION: - http://ready.gov/hurricanes - http://www.weather.gov/mhx/Tropical $$