* WHAT. South winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 6 to 11 ft. * WHERE. Southeast North Carolina coastal waters. * WHEN. Until noon EDT Saturday. * IMPACTS. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

HLSILM This product covers southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina **HELENE IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND LARGE MAJOR HURRICANE** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Central Horry, Coastal Georgetown, Coastal Horry, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Inland Georgetown, Marion, Marlboro, Northern Horry, and Williamsburg * STORM INFORMATION: - About 590 miles southwest of Wilmington NC or about 520 miles southwest of Myrtle Beach SC - 27.9N 84.6W - Storm Intensity 125 mph - Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 23 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Helene will bring limited impacts to northeastern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina tonight into Friday. Winds gusting over 40 mph are possible along with locally heavy rainfall. Isolated tornadoes could accompany bands of showers and thunderstorms late tonight into Friday morning. Marine weather conditions will also become dangerous with large seas and increasing winds expected. Helene's more significant impacts should remain well to the south and west. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * TORNADOES: Protect against a particularly dangerous tornado event having possible extensive impacts across Northeast South Carolina and Southeast North Carolina. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of numerous tornadoes can greatly affect preparedness actions during tropical events. - Tornadoes can significantly damage homes, destroy mobile homes, uproot and snap trees, destroy cars and boats. Large and deadly projectiles can add to the damage. - Many places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of immense destruction, power loss, and communications failures. * WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across Northeast South Carolina. Potential impacts in this area include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes is possible. Unsecured lightweight objects may be blown about. - Some large limbs may break from trees. A few shallow rooted or weak trees may snap or be knocked down. Some fences and roadway signs will be damaged. - A few roads may become impassable due to debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions are possible, especially for high profile vehicles on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages are possible. Elsewhere across southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina, little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across Northeast South Carolina. Potential impacts include: - Moderate flooding from rainfall may prompt some evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and streams may rise and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in the typical prone locations. Small creeks and ditches may overflow. - Flood waters may enter some structures. Underpasses, low-lying spots along roadways, and poor drainage areas may become submerged by rising water. Some secondary streets and parking lots may flood as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. - Driving conditions will become hazardous, and some road closures can be expected. Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across Southeast North Carolina. * SURGE: Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to bring to completion all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Outside preparations should be wrapped up as soon as possible before weather conditions completely deteriorate. Any remaining evacuations and relocations should be expedited before the onset of tropical storm force wind. If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible. If heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or own a pet. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit. Check the latest weather forecast before departing. 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. Check-in with your emergency points of contact among family, friends, and workmates. Inform them of your status and well-being. Let them know how you intend to ride out the storm and when you plan to check-in again. Keep cell phones well charged and handy. Also, cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful after the storm. Locate your chargers and keep them with your cell phone. In emergencies it is best to remain calm. Stay informed and focused on the situation at hand. Exercise patience with those you encounter. Be a Good Samaritan and helpful to others. If relocating to a nearby shelter or to the home of a family member or friend, drive with extra caution, especially on secondary roads. Remember, many bridges and causeways will be closed once higher winds arrive. Also, if you encounter water covering the road, seek an alternate route. Always obey official road signs for closures and detours. If you are a visitor and still in the area, listen for the name of the city or town in which you are staying within local news updates. Be sure you know the name of the county or parish in which it resides. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities. Closely monitor NOAA Weather radio or other local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. * 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 Wilmington NC around 11 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

* WHAT. South winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 6 to 11 ft. * WHERE. Southeast North Carolina coastal waters. * WHEN. Until noon EDT Saturday. * IMPACTS. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

* WHAT. South winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 6 to 11 ft. * WHERE. The coastal waters from Oregon Inlet to Surf City. * WHEN. Until noon EDT Saturday. * IMPACTS. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

* WHAT. Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE. Much of central North Carolina, including most of the Piedmont, the Yadkin Valley, the Sandhills, the southern Coastal Plain along with the Triad and Triangle areas. * WHEN. From 6 PM EDT this evening through Friday afternoon. * IMPACTS. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - Given recent wet conditions, the ground is saturated and streamflows are significantly above normal. Much of central NC is susceptible to Flash Flooding with significant rain or periods of heavy rain. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

* WHAT. Southeast winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected. * WHERE. A portion of central North Carolina. * WHEN. From midnight tonight to 6 PM EDT Friday. * IMPACTS. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured outdoor objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and result in scattered power outages. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. Winds will increase overnight, reaching their peak by mid/late morning. Winds will gradually weaken Friday evening.

The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in South Carolina. North Carolina. Waccamaw River near Longs affecting Brunswick, Columbus and Horry Counties. Waccamaw River near Freeland affecting Brunswick and Columbus Counties. . The Flood Warning is cancelled for the following rivers in North Carolina. Lumber River Near Lumberton affecting Robeson County. * WHAT. Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Waccamaw River near Longs. * WHEN. Until early Monday morning. * IMPACTS. At 12.0 feet, Flooding may limit vehicle access near the river at the end of Big Gutter Lane and Doodle Hill Lane. Low spots on Red Bluff Road will begin to flood. The end of Vera Road will flood. Several boat landings will become inaccessible. Parts of Aberdeen County Club will be flooded. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 10:00 AM EDT Thursday the stage was 12.3 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to fall below flood stage Sunday morning and continue falling to 11.5 feet Tuesday morning. - Flood stage is 12.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood