NOAA / NWS National Hurricane Center - Advisory #44

Subject: NOAA Hurricane Advisory

NOAA / NWS National Hurricane Center - Advisory #44

The National Hurricane Center has issued the following  Advisory to include the Mid-Atlantic region.  At 5 a.m. today Hurricane Florence is 625 miles SE of Bermuda moving WNW at 9mph as a Cat 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 105 mph with higher gusts.  At the present time, Florence is scheduled to increase its forward speed and strengthen to a Cat 4 hurricane at the time of landfall (Cat 4 ranges from 131 - 155 mph sustained winds) with probably sustained winds of 140 mph, making it an extremely dangerous cyclonic system

with devastating results in the affected areas.   

The cone of probability places the hurricane, with a possible landfall between Wilmington and the outer banks of North Carolina with its southern side to include most of South Carolina.  Landfall could occur Wednesday evening, Sep 12th.  The cones northern side includes the entire Mid-Atlantic region and the Delmarva Peninsula.  Regardless of Florence's eventual track, large swells will begin to affect portions of the U.S. East Coast today, resulting in life-threatening surf and rip currents.  There is still uncertainty withFlorence's exact track.   However tropical force winds extend out up to 140 miles from its center with the Delmarva Peninsula within that sphere.

Tropical force winds range between 39 - 73 mph and may occur that would include all coastal beach locations as well as the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay beginning early Friday morning, Sep 14th.  Flooding in western sections of the Bay may also occur.  These conditions will be accompanied by very heavy rainfall throughout the Mid-Atlantic .  Rainfall amounts will range from 8" - 10" or more.  Preparations should begin now with the removal of outdoor furniture and other loose items that could become airborne. Boating interests in the Mid-Atlantic region and the Eastern Shore should take precautions to secure boats or move them to safe locations.  A State of Emergency has been declared in NC, SC, and VA.

Major flooding can be expected in the Washington - Baltimore metropolitan areas.  With the recent heavy rains, tree root systems will have been

weakened and vulnerable to falling, creating danger to power lines.   All

areas within the cone of probability should monitor their local TV and radio stations as well as NOAA Weather Radio for updates as they become available.

SOURCE:

NOAA - NWS, National Hurricane Center

Miami, Florida