Life-Threatening Storm Surge Expected Along Large Portion Of Southeast, Mid-Atlantic Coasts
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Hurricane Dorian gained a bit of strength as it continued on its path to the northeast as a Category 3 storm.
Life-threatening storm surge with significant coastal flooding is expected along a large portion of the Southeast and mid-Atlantic coasts during the next couple of days.
At 11 p.m., Dorian is located about 105 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph and moving north-northwest at 7 mph.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles.
A northeastward motion at a faster forward speed is forecast on Friday. On the forecast track, the center of Dorian will approach the coast of South Carolina tonight, move near or over the coast of South Carolina on Thursday, and move near or over the coast of North Carolina Thursday night and Friday.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...
* Mouth of St. Mary's River to Poquoson VA
* Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds
* Neuse and Pamlico Rivers
* Hampton Roads
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* North of Savannah River to the North Carolina/Virginia border
* Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Mouth of St. Mary's River to Savannah River
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Mouth of St. Mary's River to Savannah River
* North Carolina/Virginia border to Chincoteague VA
* Chesapeake Bay from Smith Point southward
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* North of Chincoteague VA to Fenwick Island DE
* Chesapeake Bay from Smith Point to Drum Point
* Tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are currently affecting portions of the Georgia and southern South Carolina coasts, and should begin along other portions of the South Carolina coast during the next several hours.
Tropical storm conditions will begin elsewhere within the Hurricane Warning area in the Carolinas tonight, with hurricane conditions beginning on Thursday.
Tropical storm conditions are expected in the Tropical Storm Warning area in the Mid-Atlantic states by Friday, with tropical storm conditions possible in the Tropical Storm Watch area Friday or Friday night.
STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...
Isle of Palms to Myrtle Beach SC...5 to 8 ft Savannah River to Isle of Palms SC...4 to 7 ft Myrtle Beach SC to Cape Lookout NC...4 to 7 ft Cape Lookout NC to Duck NC, including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds and the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers...4 to 6 ft North of Mouth of St. Mary's River to Savannah River...3 to 5 ft Duck NC to Poquoson VA, including Hampton Roads...2 to 4 ft
Water levels could begin to rise well in advance of the arrival of strong winds. The surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the how close the center of Dorian comes to the coast, and can vary greatly over short distances. For information specific to your area, please see products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.
RAINFALL: Dorian is expected to produce the following rainfall totals through Friday:
Coastal Carolinas...6 to 12 inches, isolated 15 inches.
Coastal Georgia...2 to 4 inches, isolated 6 inches Far southeast Virginia...3 to 6 inches.
This rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods.
SURF: Large swells will affect the northwestern Bahamas, and the entire southeastern United States coast from Florida through North Carolina during the next several days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Please consult products from your local weather office.
TORNADOES: Isolated tornadoes will be possible through Thursday across the coastal Carolinas.
