318 
WTUS82 KRAH 152119
HLSRAH
NCZ040>043-074>078-083>086-088-089-160530-

Tropical Storm Florence Local Statement Advisory Number 66
National Weather Service Raleigh NC  AL062018
519 PM EDT Sat Sep 15 2018

This product covers central North Carolina

**Tropical Storm Warning Cancelled, but Catastrophic Flooding Threat
 Continues** 

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - All watches and warnings have been canceled

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 170 miles south-southwest of Raleigh NC or about 120 
      miles south-southwest of Fayetteville NC
    - 33.6N 79.9W
    - Storm Intensity 45 mph
    - Movement West or 270 degrees at 2 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Tropical Storm winds from a drifting Florence continue to weaken across
our area as the storm pulls south and west. Thus, the Tropical Storm 
Warning has been allowed to expire. This BY NO MEANS indicates that the
hazards from Florence are diminishing. Heavy rainfall will continue to
impact the southern Piedmont and Coastal Plain over the next 48 hours,
enhancing ongoing flooding before leading to Catastrophic River 
Flooding possibly persisting for several weeks in spots. Please 
continue to heed all evacuation orders from law enforcement officials 
and monitor the latest weather information for updates.

Also note: Just because the flooding rains have ended across parts of
the coast, please wait for evacuation orders to be lifted prior to
returning home. Many areas across the eastern portions of North
Carolina remain hard or impossible to get to due to ongoing flooding
and storm damage. 


POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* FLOODING RAIN:
Additional impacts from flooding rain are still a concern across the
Southern Piedmont Counties. Remain well guarded against life- 
threatening flood waters having further impacts of devastating 
potential.

Additional impacts from flooding rain are still a concern across the
western Piedmont and Foothills, which will receive flooding rains into
early next week. Remain well guarded against life- threatening flood 
waters having further impacts of limited to extensive potential.

* TORNADOES:
Additional impacts from tornadoes are still a concern across the
southeastern Coastal Plain of North Carolina. Remain well braced
against dangerous tornado event having further significant impact
potential.

Elsewhere across central North Carolina, little to no impact is 
anticipated.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:

Do not enter evacuated areas until officials have given the all clear 
to return.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Remain safely sheltered until conditions improve. When going outside 
be sure to stay away from downed power lines, hazardous debris and 
flooded areas.

If your home or shelter was damaged, be alert to the smell of gas 
leaks and be cautious around electrical wiring, broken glass, jagged 
metal and wood, and protruding nails and screws.

Do not attempt to return to evacuated areas until local authorities 
have inspected roads and bridges and have given the all clear. 
Hazards like downed power lines and trees, washed out roads, 
continued flooding in low lying areas and non-functioning traffic 
lights make travel difficult. 

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see readync.org
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

As it pertains to this event...this will be the last local statement 
issued by the National Weather Service in Raleigh NC regarding the 
effects of tropical cyclone hazards upon the area.

$$