Advisory
CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
Radar valid at 1206 am EDT, Oct 11th 2018
CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: 
HLS for Rutherford, NC
Sent via Email at 1151 pm EDT, Oct 10th 2018
Sent via Email at 1151 pm EDT, Oct 10th 2018
GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065-068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-111200-
Hurricane Michael Local Statement Advisory Number 18
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC AL142018
1151 PM EDT Wed Oct 10 2018
This product covers the western Carolinas and NE Georgia
**Michael will impact the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia
through Thursday evening**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Abbeville, Chester,
Elbert, Greenwood, Laurens, Union, Union, and York
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 280 miles southwest of Charlotte NC or about 210 miles
south-southwest of Greenville/Spartanburg SC
- 32.1N 83.8W
- Storm Intensity 75 mph
- Movement Northeast or 45 degrees at 20 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Hurricane Michael is forecast to track from southwest Georgia
northeastward across Georgia becoming a Tropical Storm. The center of
the circulation will likely pass near Augusta, Georgia and Columbia,
South Carolina Thursday morning, then on to near Raleigh, North
Carolina by evening. Windy conditions and very heavy rainfall are
expected to impact part of the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia
as the storm passes just south and east of the area.
The greatest threat that Michael will pose for our area continues to
be flash flooding. Based on the most likely track of the storm, the
heaviest rainfall totals are expected to be over the Lakelands and
lower Piedmont of the Upstate and northeast Georgia tonight, then
along and north of Interstate 85 from Greenville-Spartanburg to
Salisbury on Thursday. A secondary maximum will develop along the Blue
Ridge Escarpment in the Carolinas. The Charlotte metro area may also
see flash flooding even though rainfall totals will be slightly lower
there. This is due to very high rainfall rates along with excessive
urban runoff. Areas that flooded during heavy rainfall last month with
Tropical Storm Florence may flood again during Michael.
Winds will pick up in speed overnight and peak during the day
Thursday. A few tropical-storm force gusts are possible. There is also
a risk of isolated tornadoes in the Piedmont overnight. A Tornado
Watch will be in effect for the Lakelands, much of the Upstate, and
the southwest North Carolina Piedmont, which includes Charlotte.
Tropical cyclone tornadoes develop especially rapidly, so it is
important to react quickly and seek shelter if a warning is issued for
your location.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across the Piedmont and most of the mountains.
Potential impacts include:
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and
ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas,
destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while
increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood
control systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited
to significant impacts in southwestern North Carolina, that is, the
area near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across the western Carolinas and NE Georgia. Potential impacts
include:
- The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution
of emergency plans during tropical events.
- A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power
and communications disruptions.
- Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys
toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned,
large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees
knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats
pulled from moorings.
* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
the lower Piedmont of both Carolinas, including the Greenwood, Clinton,
Chester, and Monroe areas. Potential impacts in these areas include:
- Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
- Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
- A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
bridges and other elevated roadways.
- Scattered power and communications outages.
Elsewhere across the western Carolinas and NE Georgia, impacts will be
even more limited. Trees still can fall during heavy rain, even with
relatively light winds. Therefore power outages still could occur.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local officials for recommended preparedness actions,
including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so
immediately.
For those not under evacuation orders, assess the risk from wind,
falling trees, and flooding at your location. If you decide to move,
relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do not relocate, help
keep roadways open for those under evacuation orders.
Do not enter evacuated areas until officials have given the all
clear to return.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of
life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any
orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency
Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are
unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.
Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!
If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter
quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not
prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter
options.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
NEXT UPDATE
-----------
The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Greenville-Spartanburg SC around 6 AM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.
Hurricane Michael Local Statement Advisory Number 18
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC AL142018
1151 PM EDT Wed Oct 10 2018
This product covers the western Carolinas and NE Georgia
**Michael will impact the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia
through Thursday evening**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Abbeville, Chester,
Elbert, Greenwood, Laurens, Union, Union, and York
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 280 miles southwest of Charlotte NC or about 210 miles
south-southwest of Greenville/Spartanburg SC
- 32.1N 83.8W
- Storm Intensity 75 mph
- Movement Northeast or 45 degrees at 20 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Hurricane Michael is forecast to track from southwest Georgia
northeastward across Georgia becoming a Tropical Storm. The center of
the circulation will likely pass near Augusta, Georgia and Columbia,
South Carolina Thursday morning, then on to near Raleigh, North
Carolina by evening. Windy conditions and very heavy rainfall are
expected to impact part of the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia
as the storm passes just south and east of the area.
The greatest threat that Michael will pose for our area continues to
be flash flooding. Based on the most likely track of the storm, the
heaviest rainfall totals are expected to be over the Lakelands and
lower Piedmont of the Upstate and northeast Georgia tonight, then
along and north of Interstate 85 from Greenville-Spartanburg to
Salisbury on Thursday. A secondary maximum will develop along the Blue
Ridge Escarpment in the Carolinas. The Charlotte metro area may also
see flash flooding even though rainfall totals will be slightly lower
there. This is due to very high rainfall rates along with excessive
urban runoff. Areas that flooded during heavy rainfall last month with
Tropical Storm Florence may flood again during Michael.
Winds will pick up in speed overnight and peak during the day
Thursday. A few tropical-storm force gusts are possible. There is also
a risk of isolated tornadoes in the Piedmont overnight. A Tornado
Watch will be in effect for the Lakelands, much of the Upstate, and
the southwest North Carolina Piedmont, which includes Charlotte.
Tropical cyclone tornadoes develop especially rapidly, so it is
important to react quickly and seek shelter if a warning is issued for
your location.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across the Piedmont and most of the mountains.
Potential impacts include:
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and
ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas,
destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while
increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood
control systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited
to significant impacts in southwestern North Carolina, that is, the
area near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across the western Carolinas and NE Georgia. Potential impacts
include:
- The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution
of emergency plans during tropical events.
- A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power
and communications disruptions.
- Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys
toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned,
large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees
knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats
pulled from moorings.
* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
the lower Piedmont of both Carolinas, including the Greenwood, Clinton,
Chester, and Monroe areas. Potential impacts in these areas include:
- Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
- Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
- A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
bridges and other elevated roadways.
- Scattered power and communications outages.
Elsewhere across the western Carolinas and NE Georgia, impacts will be
even more limited. Trees still can fall during heavy rain, even with
relatively light winds. Therefore power outages still could occur.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local officials for recommended preparedness actions,
including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so
immediately.
For those not under evacuation orders, assess the risk from wind,
falling trees, and flooding at your location. If you decide to move,
relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do not relocate, help
keep roadways open for those under evacuation orders.
Do not enter evacuated areas until officials have given the all
clear to return.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of
life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any
orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency
Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are
unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.
Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!
If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter
quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not
prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter
options.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
NEXT UPDATE
-----------
The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Greenville-Spartanburg SC around 6 AM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.
Address/Location
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office
198 N Washington St
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 828-287-6247