HLSILM This product covers southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina ** HURRICANE HELENE CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ** 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 930 miles southwest of Wilmington NC or about 870 miles southwest of Myrtle Beach SC - 23.1N 86.6W - Storm Intensity 85 mph - Movement North or 360 degrees at 9 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Helene will bring limited impacts to northeastern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina Thursday Night into Friday. Winds gusting over 40 mph are possible along with locally heavy rainfall. Isolated tornadoes could accompany bands of showers and thunderstorms late Thursday 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 dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across northeastern South Carolina. Potential impacts include: - The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder preparedness actions during tropical events. - Tornadoes can rip roofs from homes, destroy mobile homes, cause trees to become snapped or uprooted, flip cars and boats. Dangerous projectiles can add to the damage. - Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across southeastern North Carolina. * WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across northeastern 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. - Scattered power and communications outages are possible. Protect against hazardous winds having possible limited impacts across southeastern North Carolina. Elsewhere across southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina, little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across northeastern South Carolina. Potential impacts include: - 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. - 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. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- Outside preparations should be wrapped up as soon as possible before weather conditions completely deteriorate. 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 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 shortly after 5 AM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

* WHAT. South winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and seas 7 to 10 ft expected. * WHERE. Southeast North Carolina coastal waters. * WHEN. From noon Thursday to noon EDT Saturday. * IMPACTS. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

* WHAT. Southeast winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 6 to 11 ft. * WHERE. Northeast South Carolina coastal waters. * WHEN. Late Thursday night into Friday morning. * IMPACTS. Tropical storm force winds and hazardous seas will capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.

The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in South Carolina. North Carolina. Waccamaw River near Longs affecting Horry, Columbus and Brunswick Counties. . The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in North Carolina. Lumber River Near Lumberton affecting Robeson County. Waccamaw River near Freeland affecting Columbus and Brunswick Counties. * WHAT. Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE. Waccamaw River near Freeland. * WHEN. Until tomorrow evening. * IMPACTS. At 15.0 feet, Water will continue to spread out of its banks and into swamps along the river and some yards near the river may begin to flood. This includes areas along Rivergate Drive, the end of Reaves Ferry Road near Nakina, the end of Mosquito Rd NW, Kingtown Road, and Crusoe Island Road. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. - At 9:30 PM EDT Wednesday the stage was 15.1 feet. - Forecast. The river is expected to fall below flood stage just after midnight tonight and continue falling to 14.2 feet Monday evening. - Flood stage is 15.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood