Tropical Storm Michael Update
Update - 10/11/2018 5:45pm
THE FLOOD WATCH FOR EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA HAS BEEN CANCELLED
FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS CANCELLED
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS CANCELLED TORNADO WATCH 409 FOR:
CRAVEN DUPLIN GREENE
JONES LENOIR MARTIN
ONSLOW PITT
THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF BETHEL, BEULAVILLE, COVE CITY, FAISON, FARMVILLE, GREENVILLE, GRIFTON, GRIMESLAND, HAVELOCK, HOOKERTON, JACKSONVILLE, JAMESVILLE, KENANSVILLE, KINSTON, LA GRANGE, MAYSVILLE, NEW BERN, NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH, OAK CITY, PINK HILL, POLLOCKSVILLE, RICHLANDS, ROBERSONVILLE, SNOW HILL, SWANSBORO, TRENTON, VANCEBORO, WALLACE, WALSTONBURG, WARSAW, AND WILLIAMSTON.
Tornado Watch For Eastern North Carolina - 10/11/2018 10:00am
A Tornado Watch has been issued for all of Eastern and Central North Carolina until 9pm Thursday night. Residents of these areas are encouraged to pay close attention to the weather and have two ways to receive alerts.
Tropical Storm Michael Update - 10/11/2018 8:45am
Tropical Storm Michael will move across our area this afternoon and into this evening. Michael is expected to bring 1-3” of rain and wind gusts up to 45 mph. These winds could result in downed trees causing sporadic power outages, and even some minor structural damage. Lenoir County and surrounding counties are under a Tropical Storm Warning and a Flash Flood Watch until Friday at 8:00am.
The possibility of isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out. Residents of Eastern North Carolina are urged to have two ways to receive alerts and remain weather aware this afternoon.
Tropical Storm Michael Update - 10/11/2018 6:45am
**MICHAEL WILL AFFECT EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA AS A TROPICAL STORM TODAY INTO EARLY FRIDAY**
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Mainland Dare, Mainland Hyde, Martin, Onslow, Pamlico, Pitt, Tyrrell, and Washington
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 420 miles west-southwest of Buxton NC or about 340 miles west-southwest of Morehead City NC
- 33.5N 82.5W
- Storm Intensity 50 mph
- Movement Northeast or 45 degrees at 21 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
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Tropical Storm Michael currently over Georgia will track northeast across the Carolinas today and tonight. Tropical storm force winds, especially in gusts, are expected to develop across Eastern North Carolina this afternoon and continue through early Friday morning. The strongest winds are expected near the coast and areas adjacent to the sounds. Winds along the coast could gust to 50 to 60 mph, while inland areas could see gusts of 40 to 50 mph. These winds could result in downed trees causing sporadic power outages, and even some minor structural damage. Be sure to secure any tarps on rooftops from previous storm damage.
Periods of heavy rain are expected through late tonight. At this time rainfall is expected to range from 1 to 3 inches, with locally higher amounts. The heaviest rain is expected over the inland areas. This could result in localized flash flooding given the already saturated ground and debris from Florence potentially clogging drainages.
Some minor to moderate storm surge impacts will be possible with Michael. Based on the current forecast track, minor inundation of 1 to 3 feet above ground level will be possible for areas along the coast and adjacent to the sounds. Inundation of 2 to 4 feet above ground level may be possible on the sound side of the Outer Banks, especially north of Cape Hatteras tonight and early Friday as Michael lifts north of the area. Minor beach erosion and overwash will be possible along the beaches as well due to wave run up.
A few tornadoes will be possible this afternoon and evening. Dangerous marine conditions are also expected, with seas building to 10 to 15 feet. A high threat of rip currents and large and dangerous shore break is expected.
This is the #1 place to connect with neighbors for faster information than even we can provide at times. During Hurricane Florence almost 3,000 people joined and had over 11,0000 engagements. Lots of neighbors helping neighbors. Go to www.wereportneusenews.com
Hurricane Michael Update - 10/10/2018 8:00pm
Hurricane Michael made landfall as a category 4 hurricane with 155 mph sustained winds near Mexico Beach, FL this afternoon as the strongest storm on record to strike the area, and the third-most intense hurricane to make landfall in the United States, behind the 1935 Labor Day hurricane and Hurricane Camille (1969).
As of 8:00pm on Wednesday, Hurricane Michael remains a dangerous hurricane with sustained winds of 90 mph. Michael will continue to move Northeast over Georgia and the Carolinas through Friday bringing the possibility of flash flooding, power outages and isolated tornadoes to Eastern North Carolina. Heavy rain is expected to spread over Eastern North Carolina Wednesday night and continue until Thursday night. Lenoir County is under a Flash Flood Watch until 8am Friday.
Lenoir County is also currently under a Tropical Storm Warning. Michael is expected to remain a tropical storm as it moves through our area, with sustained winds of 20-30 mph and gusts to 45 mph. Strong winds may cause sporadic power outages.
Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Lenoir County - 10/10/2018 11:30am
The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Lenoir County and most of Eastern North Carolina. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm-force winds are possible within the next 36 hours.
The current forecast indicates that Lenoir County could experience sustained winds of 20-30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph, a threat of isolated tornadoes and rainfall of 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts, as a result of Hurricane Michael Thursday and Friday.
Governor Cooper Declares State of Emergency - 10/10/2018 11:00am
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has declared a State of Emergency for the state as Hurricane Michael quickly approaches. The announcement was made during a press conference Wednesday morning. "Heavy rain and tropical storm force winds are heading our way. Make no mistake. Michael is a terrible storm. Many counties are under a Tropical Storm Warning or Tropical Storm Watch," Gov. Cooper said during the news conference.
Michael is expected to be at tropical storm strength as it moves through North Carolina on Thursday evening. As part of the emergency declaration, restrictions on trucks and heavy vehicles have been waved to help the state prepare. One-hundred-fifty members of the National Guard will report for duty Wednesday afternoon.
Hurricane Michael Update - 10/10/2018 11:00am
Extremely dangerous Hurricane Michael is bearing down on the Florida coast this morning as a category 4 storm and continues to show signs of steady strengthening.
Maximum sustained winds are currently 145 mph, with higher gusts. Michael is expected to make landfall on the panhandle of Florida as a category 4 storm early this afternoon, bringing potentially catastrophic damage with life-threatening storm surge, hurricane force winds and very heavy rainfall.
In Eastern North Carolina, we can expect 2-4 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts, and tropical storm force winds late Thursday into Friday. Heavy rain may arrive earlier in the day on Thursday. Lenoir County and most of Eastern NC is currently under a Tropical Storm Watch as well as a Flash Flood Watch. There is also the potential for isolated tornadoes late Thursday and Thursday night as the system moves through our area. Residents of Eastern North Carolina are urged to review their emergency plans, secure property, remain weather aware, and follow instructions from local authorities.
Hurricane Michael Forecast Update - 10/10/2018 5:30am
...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY 4 MICHAEL STRENGTHENS FURTHER AS IT HEADS NORTHWARD TOWARD THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE...
...LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGE...HURRICANE FORCE WINDS...AND HEAVY RAINFALL EXPECTED ALONG THE NORTHEASTERN GULF COAST...
**MICHAEL WILL AFFECT EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA AS A TROPICAL STORM THURSDAY INTO EARLY FRIDAY**
NEW INFORMATION
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* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Mainland Dare, Mainland Hyde, Martin, Onslow, Outer Banks Dare, Outer Banks Hyde, Pamlico, Pitt, Tyrrell, and Washington
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 800 miles west-southwest of Buxton NC or about 720 miles southwest of Morehead City NC
- 28.3N 86.5W
- Storm Intensity 140 mph
- Movement North or 360 degrees at 13 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
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Hurricane Michael is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane along the Florida Panhandle today, then weaken to a tropical storm as it tracks through the Carolinas Thursday and Thursday night. Tropical storm force winds, especially in gusts, are expected across Eastern North Carolina later Thursday afternoon through early Friday. The strongest winds are expected near the coast and areas adjacent to the sounds. Winds along the coast could gust 50 to 70 mph, while inland areas could see gusts of 40 to 50 mph. These winds could result in downed trees causing sporadic power outages, and even some minor structural damage. Be sure to secure any tarps on rooftops from previous storm damage.
Periods of heavy rain are expected today through late Thursday night. At this time rainfall is expected to range from 2 to 3 inches near the coast to 3 to 5 inches well inland, with locally higher amounts. This could result in localized flash flooding given the already saturated ground and debris from Florence potentially clogging drainages. River levels along the Tar and Neuse are expected to reach moderate flood stage late this weekend and early next week.
Some minor to locally moderate storm surge impacts will be possible with Michael. Based on the current forecast track, minor inundation of 1 to 3 feet above ground level will be possible for areas along the coast and adjacent to the sounds. Local amounts of 2 to 4 feet above ground may be possible on the sound side of the Outer Banks, especially north of Cape Hatteras late Thursday night and early Friday as Michael lifts north of the area. A slight shift in the track could change which locations may see the most inundation. Minor beach erosion and overwash will be possible along the beaches as well due to wave run up.
A few tornadoes will be possible Thursday and Thursday night. Dangerous marine conditions are also expected, with seas building to 10 to 20 feet. A high threat of rip currents and large and dangerous shore break is expected.
A motion toward the northeast at a faster forward speed is forecast on Thursday and Friday. On the forecast track, the eye of Michael is expected to move ashore over the Florida Panhandle later today, move northeastward across the southeastern United States tonight and Thursday, and then move off the Mid-Atlantic coast away from the United States on Friday.
Reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher gusts. Michael is an extremely dangerous category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some additional strengthening is possible before landfall. After landfall, Michael should weaken as it crosses the southeastern United States.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles (295 km). NOAA buoy 42039 to the northeast of the center recently reported sustained winds of 54 mph (85 km/h) and a wind gust of 63 mph (101 km/h).
Hurricane Michael Forecast Update - 10/9/2018 11:00pm
As of 11pm Tuesday night, Hurricane Michael was a strong category 3 hurricane with winds of 125 mph. Additional strengthening is expected and Michael may reach category 4 status before making landfall on the panhandle of Florida on Wednesday.
Hurricane Michael is expected to bring tropical storm force winds, the possibility of isolated tornadoes, and 2-4 inches of rain as it moves through Eastern North Carolina on Thursday and Friday. Strong winds may cause downed trees and sporadic power outages, and even some minor structural damage. Periods of heavy rain are expected Wednesday through late Thursday which may result in flash flooding in areas where the ground is already saturated. The greatest threat for isolated tornadoes will be Wednesday night through Thursday night.
Most of Eastern North Carolina, including Lenoir County, is under a Tropical Storm Watch until further notice. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm force winds are possible within the next 48 hours.
Flood Warning Issued for the Neuse River at Kinston - 10/9/2018 9:45pm
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the Neuse River at Kinston beginning Sunday, 10/14/2018, at 8:00pm until further notice. At 9pm on Tuesday, the Neuse River was at 12.9 feet. The river is expected to rise to near flood stage of 14 feet on Sunday evening. At 14 feet, water overflows into lowlands adjacent to the river.
Tropical Storm Watch Issued for Lenoir County - 10/9/2018 5:00pm
The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Lenoir County and most of Eastern North Carolina. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm-force winds are possible within the next 48 hours.
The current forecast indicates that Lenoir County could experience wind gusts up to 45 mph, a threat of isolated tornadoes and rainfall of 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts, as a result of Hurricane Michael Thursday and Friday.